Senior Tax Manager (Santa Ana)

About the Firm

Talley, LLP, and its affiliated entities—Talley Law Group, LLP (TLG), Talley Capital Group, LLC (TCG), and Talley Wealth Management, LLC (TWM)—are a full‑service financial, tax, legal, and consulting organization serving entrepreneurially driven businesses and their owners. Talley partners with clients as business advisors, not just service providers, constantly seeking innovative ways to strengthen their bottom line. Talley was founded in 1989 with a mission of helping entrepreneurially driven businesses, their owners, and high net worth individuals manage their financial affairs and achieve business objectives profitably and efficiently. Talley’s professionals strive to become each client’s Most Trusted Advisor by delivering global solutions to complex challenges and opportunities.

Services include:

• Audit & Assurance services, including financial reporting
• Tax compliance
• Tax planning, and proactive advice
• Business consulting
• Estate planning, business planning, M&A, and tax law services delivered through TLG
• Outsourced accounting, controller and CFO services
• M&A, growth‑through‑acquisition, and operational consulting delivered through TCG

Talley is a boutique firm with 70+ U.S.-based professionals and 20–30 offshore/outsourced team members. Headquartered in Orange, CA, the firm has grown rapidly, becoming a leading Orange County professional services provider. We embrace a hybrid work culture built on accountability, results, and exceptional client service delivered by professional, motivated individuals.

Position Summary

The Senior Tax Manager is a senior leadership position responsible for delivering exceptional client service while helping shape the strategic direction of Talley’s Tax Practice. This individual serves as a trusted advisor to high‑net‑worth individuals, closely held businesses, entrepreneurs, and family offices. The role is viewed as a key leadership position with a clear pathway to Principal or Partner.

This position is ideal for a technically strong tax professional who enjoys mentoring others, building client relationships, leading a high‑performing team, and contributing to the continued growth of the firm.

Strategic Client Advisory

• Serve as the primary advisor on Talley’s most sophisticated tax engagements.
• Advise business owners on tax‑efficient growth strategies, succession planning, entity structuring, mergers and acquisitions, and wealth preservation.
• Build trusted relationships through proactive client communication and ongoing tax planning discussions.
• Work closely with clients to understand their businesses and provide year‑round strategic tax advice.
• Collaborate with Talley’s multidisciplinary service lines—including Tax, Audit, Talley Law Group, Talley Capital Group, and Talley Wealth—to deliver integrated client solutions.
• Partner closely with Talley Law Group on tax planning initiatives involving business owners, trusts, estates, and succession planning.

Tax Compliance & Technical Leadership

The Senior Tax Manager will:

• Perform final technical review of complex tax engagements.
• Be highly proficient reviewing and advising on: • Form 1040 Individual Income Tax Returns • Form 1065 Partnership Returns • Form 1041 Fiduciary (Trust & Estate) Returns • Form 1120‑S S Corporation Returns • Additional corporate and business tax engagements as needed
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to Managers, Seniors, and Staff.
• Help elevate the team’s technical tax knowledge through coaching, review, and real‑time development.
• Lead internal technical discussions and communicate new tax legislation and regulatory changes.
• Ensure quality control and technical excellence across all client engagements.

Leadership & Talent Development

A significant portion of this role focuses on developing people.

Responsibilities include:

• Coach, mentor, and develop Managers, Senior Associates, Associates, and Staff Accountants.
• Review work and provide meaningful technical coaching to improve team performance.
• Help build stronger tax technical capabilities across the department.
• Assist Partners with staffing, workload management, scheduling, and departmental operations.
• Support recruiting, interviewing, onboarding, succession planning, and employee retention.
• Foster a collaborative, high‑performance culture centered on accountability, continuous learning, and exceptional client service.
• Help manage the day‑to‑day operations of the Tax Department while supporting long‑term strategic initiatives.

Client Relationship Management

This position is heavily client‑facing.

Responsibilities include:

• Build long‑term trusted advisor relationships with clients.
• Lead client meetings and communicate complex tax matters in a practical, business‑focused manner.
• Identify opportunities to improve clients’ tax positions through proactive planning.
• Work closely with business owners and closely held companies throughout the year—not just during tax season.
• Deliver an exceptional client experience through responsiveness, strategic insight, and practical solutions.

Practice Growth & Business Development

• Develop referral relationships with attorneys, bankers, wealth advisors, business owners, and other centers of influence.
• Generate new business opportunities through networking, community involvement, professional organizations, and thought leadership.
• Identify cross‑selling opportunities across Talley’s integrated service offerings.
• Support proposal development and participate in prospective client presentations.
• Contribute to the continued growth of Talley’s Tax Practice and future Partner expansion.

Leadership & Practice Management

• Assist Partners with strategic planning and execution of Tax Practice initiatives.
• Improve workflow, utilization, profitability, quality standards, and operational efficiency.
• Champion AI, automation, and emerging technologies that enhance client service and internal processes.
• Help drive departmental performance while maintaining Talley’s high standards of client service.

Qualifications

• Active CPA license required (JD and/or LL.M. a plus).
• 10–15+ years of progressive public accounting tax experience.
• Extensive experience serving high‑net‑worth individuals, closely held businesses, entrepreneurs, and family‑owned companies.
• Strong technical expertise in Forms 1040, 1065, 1041, and 1120‑S.
• Demonstrated success leading tax professionals through mentorship, technical review, and talent development.
• Proven ability to build trusted client relationships and provide strategic tax planning.
• Experience with business development and practice growth.
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Passion for developing people and building high‑performing teams.

Success Measures

• Serve as a trusted advisor to Talley’s largest and most sophisticated clients.
• Deliver exceptional tax compliance while identifying meaningful tax planning opportunities.
• Develop and mentor future leaders within the Tax Practice.
• Build strong client relationships that drive long‑term retention and referrals.
• Strengthen the technical capabilities of the tax team through coaching and mentorship.
• Contribute to business development and practice growth.
• Improve operational efficiency while maintaining exceptional quality standards.
• Position yourself for advancement to Principal or Partner.