Tax Manager

Dean Dorton; Fort Wright (KY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible schedules

Unlimited time off

Paid family leave

Retirement benefits

Wellness program

Job summary

Dean Dorton is seeking a Tax Manager to oversee review and preparation of varying complexity tax returns, while guiding junior staff and coordinating with clients. The role emphasizes advisory planning, regulatory compliance, and collaboration across teams.

The candidate should have significant tax experience, a bachelor’s degree in a related field, and be prepared to advance toward CPA certification. Travel is limited, with opportunities to mentor and lead within the Tax Services group.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in accounting, finance, business, or related field.
• Five to six years of experience in a tax or tax-related technical role with focus on compliance and client management.
• CPA exam progress encouraged and supported by the firm.

Responsibilities

• Lead tax return reviews and prepare complex sections with accuracy within compliance guidelines.
• Provide tax planning and advisory support to minimize liabilities and optimize client outcomes.
• Manage client relationships as primary contact and mentor junior staff.
• Support firm initiatives, stay current on tax law changes, and contribute to knowledge sharing.
• Partner with engagement owner on strategic planning and project leadership.
• Interface with taxing authorities as needed for audits and inquiries.

Skills

Tax compliance

Client management

Team development

Review & QA

Research & analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting/finance/business

Tools

CaseWare

CCH Fixed Assets

CCH AxcessTax

CCH Workstream

CCH Billing and Invoice

Tax Research Tools

Client Portal Tools (SafeSend/ShareFile)

QuickBooks

TValue

Adobe

Microsoft Office

Job description

About Dean Dorton

Dean Dorton’s team makes up one of the largest advisory firms in the United States. We thrive when you thrive! We are here to help you succeed in every step of your development and career as you work with nationally recognized experts in a recognized best place to work.

Our core values guide how we work, lead, and support one another every day. They are:

• Integrity - We do the right thing, integrity guides our decisions.
• Relationships - We value people, relationships drive our impact.
• Collaboration - We win as one team, collaboration fuels our success.
• Growth - We stay curious, growth is our mindset.

About Tax Services

Dean Dorton's tax team provides comprehensive solutions to our clients, serving a wide variety of entity types and industries. Our team partners with clients to meet their compliance requirements, while also providing the crucial guidance and expertise they need to implement an overall tax strategy covering local, state, national, and international areas. We support clients by minimizing their tax burden and maximizing their business and financial goals.

About the Role

A Tax Manager supports clients by overseeing the review and preparation of varying complexity tax returns and workpapers, ensuring adherence to compliance regulations, while actively engaging in tax planning strategies to optimize client outcomes. Additionally, this role partners with team members to support their learning and growth; stays relevant on industry and regulatory changes; and supports firm initiatives and activities.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

The essential duties & responsibilities of the Tax Manager role are outlined below in correlation with Dean Dorton’s performance management impact areas.

Technical

• Conduct first-level review of tax returns and workpapers, ensuring accuracy and compliance, for managed projects.
• Develop and communicate review comments, suggestions, and tax return changes to tax preparers that meet tax compliance guidelines.
• Prepare complex and highly technical sections of business and individual tax returns and workpapers, if needed. Partner with tax team members to prepare the remainder of the tax return.
• Engage in tax planning activities, identifying opportunities to minimize tax liabilities and optimize financial outcomes for clients.
• Expand on providing advisory services for clients, which includes managing special projects and partnering with the engagement owner on strategic planning.
• Interface with taxing authorities and assist in gathering information for federal, state, and local tax audits, as needed.
• Begin to become an expert in identified specialties, including industry and tax return types.
• Stay up to date on tax laws, regulations, and industry trends, sharing relevant information and insights with internal team members and external clients.
• Engage in research and technical discussions, seeking guidance when needed.
• Manage client relationships, serving as the primary point of contact and addressing client inquiries and concerns.
• Build technical expertise, leadership skills, and/or client management capabilities.

Behavioral

• Proactively address client needs and advocate for firm services (including cross-selling), instilling confidence and credibility.
• Learn and understand the business and industry of clients.
• Communicate effectively, setting clear expectations for team members and clients.
• Utilize strong relationship management skills to build rapport with internal team members and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with other service groups within the firm to provide comprehensive advisory solutions to clients.
• Manage firm administrative tasks such as scheduling, billing, and new client proposals.
• Meet productivity goals.
• Meet internal and client deadlines.

Non-Charge

• Work toward completion of the CPA exam, if applicable.
• Participate in firm-sponsored events and activities.
• Serve as a mentor and coach to team members, fostering growth and development opportunities. Be a champion for firm culture and core values.
• Participate in team and firm non-charge activities of interest, such as:
• Recruiting activities, including interviewing and evaluating candidates.
• Evaluating and developing internal processes, procedures, and guidelines.
• Contributing to the development of training materials and leading training sessions.
• Joining an internal committee or initiative.
• Serving as a Career Advisor to tax team members, monitoring team member performance, providing feedback, and facilitating growth opportunities.
• Assisting in business development efforts, including attending industry events, networking with potential clients, and promoting the firm's services.

Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in accounting, finance, business, or related field.
• Five to six years of experience in a tax or tax-related technical role, with a focus on tax compliance, client management, and team member development.

Software & Tools

• CaseWare
• CCH Fixed Assets
• CCH AxcessTax
• CCH Workstream
• CCH Billing and Invoice
• Tax Research Software and Tools
• Client Portal Tools (SafeSend, ShareFile)
• QuickBooks
• TValue
• Adobe
• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams)

Travel

Travel, on an extremely limited basis, may be required for client or firm needs, including occasional overnight stays.

The Fun Stuff

Work isn’t all work! We want to make your experience at Dean Dorton a great one. From your health and happiness to your long-term satisfaction, we focus on YOU! A few highlights are listed below:

• Flexible work schedules and environment
• Unlimited Time Off
• Paid family leave, medical leave, and maternity/paternity leave programs
• Retirement benefits, including a best-in-class employer match and automatic profit sharing.
• Telemedicine, mental health resources and wellness program reimbursement

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by team members assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Additionally, responsibilities and duties may vary depending on business needs and individual circumstances.

Dean Dorton is an equal opportunity employer. We’re committed to growing and empowering an inclusive community within Dean Dorton and our industry which is why we hire and cultivate diverse teams of the best and brightest from all backgrounds, experiences and perspectives across the organization. We welcome anyone of any race, religion, color, national origin, political affiliation, pregnancy, ancestry, handicap, medical condition, disability, marital status, age, sexual orientation or gender.

We do not accept unsolicited resumes or candidate submissions from staffing agencies, recruiters, or search firms. Any resumes or candidate information submitted without a current, signed agreement in place will be considered unsolicited, become the property of the company, and will not obligate the company to pay any fees or commissions.