Tax Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary 

The Manager is responsible for preparing and reviewing high-complexity individual, corporate, and partnership tax returns and researching and advising on tax issues. This is a supervisory position which manages all tax engagements to ensure quality work and compliance with deadlines, oversees accounting staff, and trains and supervises incoming staff.

The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

• Demonstrates teamwork on client engagements and through participation in firm activities.
• Understands and demonstrates the firm’s core values.
• Provides appropriate recognition and encouragement to team members.
• Looks for opportunities to lead a firm initiative. 
• Makes presentations at internal meetings, or at external speaking opportunities.
• Provides feedback to staff through timely performance evaluations.
• Proactively seeks ways to transfer knowledge and build the skill base of team members.
• Assists with recruiting and attraction of staff.
• Willingly serves as a Coach to mentor assigned team members, and helps staff live up to their potential by leading and demonstrating teamwork.
• Demonstrates knowledge of business issues and how they affect the client. Further strengthens established client relationships.
• Develops meaningful suggestions to enhance client’s business, constantly strives to improve quality of service performance, and strengthens the firm’s relationship with key client personnel.
• Gains a broad understanding of client’s business, is sought out by top management for technical and business advice.
• Has an understanding of engagement budgets, and works to complete assigned areas within budgeted time guidelines.  Assists less experienced staff with questions and in achieving budgets.
• Identifies opportunities to improve assignment profitability and identifies any risk-management issues.
• Manages engagements to minimize write-offs and maximize realization.
• Works effectively with client personnel to resolve day-to-day issues, gains client assistance to resolve problems, gains trusting relationships with clients, anticipates potential problems, meets commitments, and avoids surprises to the client.
• Shares and transfers knowledge within the client service team.
• Develops confidence and respect of client personnel, builds relationships with top management.
• Meets client service expectations, meets deadlines, and demonstrates an understanding of our clients’ business needs.
• Solves technical problems effectively. Demonstrates objectivity and analytical ability. Demonstrates a solid understanding of complex accounting, auditing, and/or tax principles.
• Reads, analyzes, and interprets common technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents.
• Reviews for accurate, logical, and orderly documentation of work.
• Ensures that all engagement documentation complies with professional standards as well as with our quality control document.
• Works with Coach to prepare an annual personal/professional development plan, and sets follow ups sessions with Coach to review progress in June and December.
• Participates at a higher level (board position/committee member) within appropriate business, professional, and/or community activities.
• Actively secures opportunities to cross-sell additional services to existing clients.
• Other duties as assigned. 

Standards of Performance 

• Demonstrates a positive attitude and ownership toward Summit CPA goals.
• Demonstrates active involvement in the Summit CPA team. Is proactive to align personal goals with those of the firm.
• Encourages teamwork through leading others by example as a team player and demonstrating sensitivity in interactions.
• Possesses a strong work ethic and is self-accountable.
• Provides a positive example to others as a person who is able to balance professional responsibilities while also maintaining balance in their personal life.
• Handles sensitive or difficult situations on the phone or in person rather than through email or text. Does not send emails on sensitive or difficult issues.
• Speaks articulately, demonstrates good listening skills by focusing on the person speaking, using positive body language, avoiding interruptions, and asking appropriate questions.
• Writes with clarity and correct grammar.
• Demonstrates maturity, professionalism, and self-confidence. 
• Leads by example in taking responsibility for actions. Manages personal emotions maintaining self-control in difficult situations.
• Demonstrates an ability and desire to assist less experienced staff.
• Demonstrates enthusiasm, passion, and pride in the work they perform to create long term value.
• Demonstrated ability to manage/mentor and develop less experienced team members.
• Demonstrates integrity, including a strong commitment to professional and ethical standards of our profession.
• Detail-oriented and organized.
• Demonstrates strong knowledge of firm products and services in the practice area and a working knowledge of products and services in other practice areas.
• Demonstrates sound understanding of market trends including opportunities, global and local business initiatives, and stakeholder/competitors ’ interests.

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance.
• Holds an active CPA license or position equivalent certification.
• A minimum of five years of experience in public accounting.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office including, but not limited to, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook.
• Strong technical knowledge and skills.
• Expertise in a developing area of industry.
• Functional/industry specialization.
• Strong project management skills.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.   

To perform this job successfully, the employee is frequently required to communicate with others; listen; remain in a stationary position, often sitting or standing for prolonged periods of time; walk; use hands to grasp, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.  

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

This position operates exclusively in an indoor office environment with controlled temperatures. Commonly used equipment and tools include telephone, computer, and other office equipment such as copiers, fax machines, as needed. 

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.