Tax Manager

Recommends and supports implementation of practice development initiatives, including new software implementation and process improvement—within the Client Accounting Services team and for clients—to improve and streamline workflow and delivery. Identifies opportunities to educate clients and prospective clients; communicates these to marketing or administration staff for dissemination; writes articles for internal staff, clients, and prospects, and authors periodic update letters.

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance
• Wellness resources

Position Overview


The Manager, Tax possesses strong leadership and management skills and a high degree of technical expertise. This role is proficient in business development and client service and knowledgeable about the firm's products and services. This is an exempt position within the Tax department, based in Tucson, AZ, with travel required up to 50%.


Duties and Responsibilities


Client Service

• Serves as a relationship manager; maintains consistent communication with clients and develops strong client relationships through client interaction, networking, and partner support; demonstrates knowledge of client businesses.
• Meets with prospective clients and ensures the successful onboarding of new clients. 
• Provides recommendations on business and process improvements to clients.
• Manages the detail review of tax engagement work papers; performs the detail review of the most complex engagements.

Engagement Delivery

• Reviews and approves federal and state income tax returns for individuals, businesses, real estate, and exempt organizations, including high complexity returns. As appropriate, seeks  partner involvement where issues require specialized or additional expertise.
• In coordination with the administrative  team, ensures the smooth flow of tax returns and fosters continuous improvement efforts. Manages the execution of tax department administrative projects, establishing workflow and project timelines. 
• Consistently and professionally represents R&A within the community as a key member of the firm’s leadership team.
• Facilitates the firm’s efficient operation through a variety of administrative duties.
• Handles federal, state, and local tax audits and represents clients before the IRS.
• Analyzes IRS and state notices, drafts and reviews responses prepared by other tax personnel, and manages related communication to clients.
• Directs and coordinates tax planning; prepares tax plans and estimates, actively participating in planning for more complex clients.
• Reviews tax accruals and associated work papers.
• Prepares and reviews Entities and Individuals returns at high complexity with minimal review note feedback.
• Prepares Trusts and Form 990s at a high complexity  with minimal review note feedback.
• Identifies opportunities for additional technical projects, such as gift tax matters and amended elections.
• Participates in the engagement proposal process, including reviewing and finalizing proposals, and reviews engagement proposals for partner sign-off.
• Maintains consistent communication with partners and staff regarding engagement workflow, progress, and planning.
• Performs complex tax research and prepares research memoranda, written correspondence, guidance, and other documents as appropriate.

Administration

• Assists partners with the strategic leadership of the firm; solicits feedback on firm performance and formulates an action plan incorporating that feedback for the following year.
• Develops billing responsibility; sets appropriate fee expectations with clients and works with the administrative team to collect accounts receivable, meeting deadlines for submission of billing.
• Allows staff and administrative contact with managed clients to move work forward.
• Promptly follows the in-bound lead process (website/phone call); communicates with and engages qualified clients and refers prospective clients to the marketing department as necessary.
• Prepares semi-annual evaluations and presents them to staff.
• Reviews productivity, realization, and other appropriate metrics; periodically evaluates staff, clients, and projects, and communicates future workload projections to the partner-in-charge.
• For team and firm efficiency, enters and releases time daily, and communicates with the front desk regarding out-of-office time due to client meetings, PTO, etc.

Practice Improvement and Team Support

• Recommends and supports implementation of practice development initiatives, including new software implementation and process improvement—within the Client Accounting Services team and for clients—to improve and streamline workflow and delivery.
• Participates in training of the Tax team members and assists in developing training programs and materials.
• Identifies opportunities for additional client projects or engagements, communicates these opportunities to partners or managers, and presents to current or prospective clients.
• Participates in networking opportunities to help grow R&A’s visibility in the community and grow revenues.
• Provides ongoing feedback to staff and delegates work to associates in a supportive and constructive manner.
• Fosters and encourages the career growth of associates, shares credit for team accomplishments and adopts a coaching attitude to assist less experienced staff.
• Demonstrates a willingness to take on lower-level work for the good of the team when required, not for the purpose of improving managed client metrics.
• Takes ownership of mistakes and accepts responsibility for fixing the problem.
• Manages staff in a supportive, constructive manner and directs staff to ensure effective time management during both slow and busy times.
• Coordinates recruiting and training of professionals and support staff; keeps informed of changes and developments in tax, and compliance areas; plans, facilitates, and conducts in-house training to develop and maintain staff competency.
• Supports other departments in client meetings and services; establishes good working relationships with all partners and staff.
• Leads presentation of new project opportunities to client personnel; wins work and provides additional service as necessary.
• Identifies opportunities to educate clients and prospective clients; communicates these to marketing or administration staff for dissemination; writes articles for internal staff, clients, and prospects, and authors periodic update letters.
• Develops a specialization in the field and obtains additional professional certifications or designations.
• Leads the firm's participation in networking and recruiting events.
• Establishes and maintains a network of peer and business contact relationships to ensure the firm can assist clients with the broadest possible set of needs and to cultivate referrals.
• Praises and acknowledges teammates without hesitation.
• Understands and supports the firm's Strategic Plan and contributes regularly to meeting team and firm goals.
• Contributes to the community through ongoing volunteer work or community service projects.
• Maintains active membership in professional associations, including leadership on a board of directors.
• Contributes to the accounting profession through article writing, mentoring, or other activities.
• Assists in the creation of digital content for marketing.

Key Performance Indicators

• Client satisfaction.
• Profitability of practice area and projects.
• Qualitative assessment by peers and partners.
• Team satisfaction, retention, development, and advancement.
• 360 survey at or above firm average.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Able to identify, mentor, support, and coordinate talented people.
• Possesses strong and innovative leadership skills.
• Understands firm ethics, values, philosophy, and procedures and demonstrates them consistently with staff and clients.
• Excellent analytical, technical, time management, communication, collaboration, and quality management skills. Practices active listening.
• Knowledge of firm products and services.

Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field; master’s degree a plus.
• CPA designation.
• Certifications pertaining to area of expertise.