Abhilash Panigrahi
Bangalore
Summary
Tax Growth Leader experienced in leading and scaling US tax organizations and building high-performing teams. Achieved significant growth in tax practice through strategic leadership and effective operational management within a 260-member tax organization. Focused on developing tax capabilities, enhancing workforce strategies, and aligning US-India leadership to drive transformation in complex tax environments.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Tax Director & Growth Leader
CBIZ India
Bangalore
02.2026 - Current
- Lead the overall 260-member tax organization at CBIZ India, with accountability for tax delivery, operational performance, people leadership, and organizational growth.
- Drove growth strategy for India tax organization, partnering with US leadership to identify and capitalize on opportunities for expanding capabilities, services, teams, and delivery scope.
- Serve as a strategic bridge between CBIZ India and US leadership, aligning business priorities, growth objectives, operating strategy, workforce requirements, and delivery expectations.
- Build and scale tax capabilities in India to support CBIZ's long-term global tax delivery and growth strategy.
- Lead talent strategy covering hiring, capability development, retention, succession planning, and leadership development across the tax organization.
- Provided executive oversight of tax work processes, ensuring effective capacity planning, resource deployment, workflow governance, and quality execution.
- Partner with US leadership on new work transitions, service expansion, process transformation, and business growth initiatives.
- Drove operational excellence and continuous improvement, aligning operations with business and client expectations.
Director
PwC SDC
Bengaluru
11.2022 - 01.2026
- Successfully transitioned more than800,000 hours of work to the India Center within two years and scaled the organization from approximately 380 to 583 FTEs.
- Led talent acquisition for State & Local Tax organization, expanding workforce to meet business demand.
- Developed training plans and collaborated with Learning & Development to implement capability-building programs.
- Led SOR work across PwC service delivery centers in Argentina, Mexico, Manila and Tampa.
- Supported USA director and partner by reviewing tax returns to ensure accuracy during peak season.
Associate Director
KPMG Global Services, India
Bengaluru
04.2020 - 11.2022
- Built and led a dedicated SALT team of approximately 70 professionals and transitioned more than 100,000 hours with end-to-end process ownership.
- Led the initiative to build a dedicated State & Local Tax capability within KGS India.
- Reviewed tax returns for accuracy and compliance, assisting KGS manager and senior staff with their technical inquiries.
Manager
PwC SDC
Kolkata
09.2014 - 03.2020
- Led the State & Local Tax team in the India Center.
- Built the dedicated SALT team from 7 FTEs and successfully transitioned approximately 140,000 hours of work.
- Reviewed state returns and collaborated directly with USA manager and senior leadership.
- Review the state returns and work directly with USA manager and above group.
Assistant Manager
Grant Thornton LLP
Bengaluru
10.2012 - 09.2014
- Managed teams and supported partnership tax engagements, providing technical guidance and reviewing deliverables to ensure compliance.
- Mentored professionals, facilitating their progression to senior-level responsibilities and enhancing team capabilities.
- Coordinated team efforts to enhance project delivery and client satisfaction.
- Managed daily operations to ensure efficient workflow and resource allocation.
- Assisted in developing strategic plans for client engagement and service improvement.
Assistant Manager
PwC SDC
01.2012 - 10.2012
- Delivered partnership tax support, conducted reviews, and developed the team.
- Managed team schedules and allocated resources effectively.
- Coordinated client engagements and ensured timely deliverables.
- Developed training materials for new staff onboarding processes.
Team Lead
Genpact
02.2011 - 01.2012
- Led delivery teams, ensuring operational execution and effective people management.
- Reviewing the 1120 clients' federal returns and helping to prepare the work papers for the entities.
- Led team to execute daily operational processes efficiently.
- Managed workflow and resource allocation for project success.
- Trained new team members on company protocols and procedures.
Senior Associate
Deloitte Tax LLP, India
Hyderabad
11.2006 - 02.2011
- Prepare and review both 1065 and 1120 federal returns.
- Co-facilitated Go-system training with my managers.
- Assisted new hires by answering their questions to facilitate onboarding.
Education
Master of Business Administration (MBA) -
ICFAI University
Hyderabad, IndiaSkills
- SALT & Partnership Tax
- Tax Strategy Development
- US Tax & Global Delivery
- Process Transformation
- Operational Excellence
- Service expansion
- Workforce planning
- Talent development
- Strategic Leadership
- Cross-Border Collaboration
- Stakeholder Management
- People leadership
Selected Leadership Achievements
- Employee of the Year - PwC
- Star Team Award - PwC
- Hall of Fame - KPMG
- Successfully transitioned 300-400 engagements from the US to India with end-to-end delivery ownership, including high-net-worth and high-volume clients.
Timeline
Tax Director & Growth Leader
CBIZ India
02.2026 - Current
Director
PwC SDC
11.2022 - 01.2026
Associate Director
KPMG Global Services, India
04.2020 - 11.2022
Manager
PwC SDC
09.2014 - 03.2020
Assistant Manager
Grant Thornton LLP
10.2012 - 09.2014
Assistant Manager
PwC SDC
01.2012 - 10.2012
Team Lead
Genpact
02.2011 - 01.2012
Senior Associate
Deloitte Tax LLP, India
11.2006 - 02.2011
Master of Business Administration (MBA) -
ICFAI University