Joel T. McDowell

Joel McDowell is Partner-in-Charge of the firm’s Birmingham office. With over 30 years of background in public accounting, Joel brings extensive knowledge in tax planning services and business management, including three years of executive experience as a Chief Financial Officer and two years of private business ownership in the construction and real estate industry. Joel has worked with a broad range of clients, including real estate construction and management, commercial development, and both single-family and multi-family housing projects.

Joel is particularly skilled in tax consulting for the real estate sector. He has deep expertise in financial modeling and strategic planning using low-income housing tax credits (LIHTC), Cost Segregation Studies, and Energy Tax Credits at both federal and state levels. Throughout his career, Joel has gained a deep understanding of partnership and corporate taxation. His compliance expertise spans property-level, construction company, and consolidated corporate tax compliance. He also has extensive experience managing teams of tax professionals specializing in various real estate sectors. 

Furthermore, Joel plays a crucial role in training and developing firm staff and actively engages in national and state tax and industry conferences and training sessions. He is an active member of the Alabama Affordable Housing Association (AAHA), contributing to panel discussions and assisting with state policy decisions impacting the affordable housing industry.

Prior to joining the firm, Joel was one of the founding Partners in Tidwell Group, LLC, a full-service accounting firm specializing in the real estate sector across the United States, focusing on affordable housing, conventional real estate, and not-for-profit industries. Joel's career began in the tax department of a prestigious accounting firm in Atlanta. After advancing through various roles in the private sector, he eventually became a partner at another leading accounting firm. His subsequent collaboration with a team of real estate specialists at Tidwell Group has propelled the firm to national prominence in the affordable housing and real estate industries.