Tax Manager

Talley LLP; Santa Ana (CA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Talley LLP in Orange, California, a hybrid‑work firm, seeks a Tax Manager to lead tax compliance, planning, and client advisory services for diverse clients. The role emphasizes reviewing complex returns, managing relationships with Partners and Client Service Managers, and driving process improvements within a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment.

The successful candidate will demonstrate technical expertise in tax codes, multi‑state and foreign reporting, and strong leadership to mentor staff

Qualifications

• Strong technical and soft skills relevant to tax compliance and planning.
• Ability to manage client relationships including complex structures.
• Experience with review of multi-state, consolidated, or foreign reporting.

Responsibilities

• Review the firm’s complex returns and provide technical leadership.
• Oversee client relationships with Partners and Client Service Managers.
• Manage tax services for small business, professionals, and individuals.
• Coordinate client work and staff scheduling within the tax department.
• Lead onboarding and training initiatives within the department.

Skills

Time Management

Organization

Communication skills

Attention to Detail

Client Focused

Leadership

Independence

Deadline oriented

Education

CPA license

Job description

Tax Manager

Talley LLP

Orange, California (Hybrid)

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”) (collectively “Talley”)—is 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, LLP, was founded in 1989, with the mission of helping entrepreneurially driven businesses, their owners, and high net worth individuals, to manage their financial affairs and to achieve their business objectives profitably and efficiently. Our professionals strive to become each client’s Most Trusted Advisor (MTA) by delivering global solutions to our client’s complex challenges and opportunities.

Our 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 Tax Manager functions well in a dynamic, challenging and growth environment and will:

• Understand “best practices” with respect to the firm’s programs and processes, especially with respect to tax preparation, review and planning software. Maintain a high level of expertise with respect to the software and improve efficiencies in its application within the tax function.
• Review the firm’s complex returns
• Assist the firm’s partners and client service managers in managing tax relationships on complex clients.
• Act as point of contact and relationship manager/CSM on designated individuals and small businesses.
• Demonstrate advanced technical expertise, e.g. and advanced skill set within the tax code (e.g. subchapter K) or industry expertise (e.g. restaurant industry).
• Participate where appropriate in our tax onboarding and training program.
• Manage client load of appropriate client assignments efficiently.
• Maintain responsibility for agreed-upon process improvement initiatives.

Aspirational Functions of the Position

The Tax Manager position encapsulates a combination of production components and client service components. Production components consist of technical skills, including the management of client tax compliance, planning and tax projects; expertise in the processes utilized by the firm in the tax compliance function; project management skills and oversight, including contributions to operating efficiencies; and workflow management. Client service components include managing client relationships in conjunction with a partner on the firm’s top clients and as the client service manager on smaller clients; developing proactive, advisory relationships with clients; identification of issues, development of opportunities and assisting clients in IRS risk mitigation and tax reduction strategies.

While the opportunity exists for a Tax Manager to pursue and excel in both components, it is generally expected that a Tax Manager will emphasize one component over the other, while maintaining a fundamental level of competence in the other component.

Qualities

• Time Management
• Exceptional Organization Skills
• Strong Communication skills
• Responsiveness to time sensitive items
• Attention to Detail
• Client Focused
• Ability to work independently
• Deadline oriented
• Build strong relationships with staff
• Team Player and be proactive
• Strong Leadership skills
• Transparency
• Strong Work Ethic
• Being professional and respectful to others
• Positive Attitude

Technical Skills

Tax Compliance & Technical Leadership

Talley is a relationship-driven 1040 practice with a strong emphasis on tax compliance and proactive tax planning.

The Tax Manager will:

• Be highly proficient in reviewing and advising on:
  • Individuals (1040)
  • Partnerships (1065)
  • S Corporations (1120-S)
  • Corporations (1120)
  • Trusts and fiduciary entities
• Practicing CPA
• Demonstrated ability to manage client relationships, including complex organizational structures and transactions
• Ability to review complicated tax compliance projects and returns, including entity and individual returns, including multistate, consolidated, or foreign bank reporting
• Experience recognizing issues per review of returns, explaining the issue and opportunity to clients, and implementing planning strategies resulting therefrom
• Recognized technical expertise in a tax subject matter area or industry

Client Management

• Oversight of tax services to small business, professional and individual client relationships (negotiating fees, addressing client service issues, address/oversight of technical issues, etc.)
• Act as key team member on larger clients with a Partner or Client Service Manager
• Oversight of meetings and extended services for existing clients
• Project management of tax services to clients
• Demonstrate a thorough working knowledge of clients' business needs by identifying and resolving most engagement issues, applying business knowledge and experience gained to add value to the service provided.
• Coordination of client’s work and staff scheduling.

Department Management

• Be responsible/oversight for department BSC management areas, e.g. workflow management, scheduling, training, or Onboarding. Act as both leader and member in implementing the BSC
• Development/Oversight of new services to deliver to client
• Project management for department related items
• Responsible for keeping all firm members informed of tax changes
• With the Tax Department Partner, develop the key initiatives and leading and lagging indicators. Implement the plan to achieve targeted objectives.

Staff Development

• Actively assist in onboarding new staff into the firm utilizing the onboarding training matrix
• Actively assist in training and learning programs for department team members
• Demonstrate an interest in the growth of others as professionals as well as refining and polishing skills used in managing people.
• Effectively delegate, provide timely and relevant performance feedback, and provide assistance and encouragement as needed, generally in a monthly BSC check-in meeting with direct reports
• Accept new staff on engagements and provide them with the necessary on-the-job training and supervision.
• Be cooperative and helpful to all team members and promote teamwork within the Firm.
• Motivate team members and coordinate efforts with other team members and peers, as well as client personnel.

Personal Development

• 50% of CPE devoted to non-technical items (firm management, marketing, leadership, etc.)
• Develop excellent communication skills
• Continue personal growth by preparing personal development plans, while meeting the minimum firm and professional education requirements.
• Work to build professional relationships with clients, other firm members and departments, and own peer groups.
• Address all issues in a professional and respectful manner with other employees.

Compensation & Benefits

Talley LLP offers competitive compensation, bonus opportunities, comprehensive benefits, ongoing professional development, CPA support, mentorship, and long-term career growth opportunities within a collaborative and entrepreneurial environment. Compensation is commensurate with experience, technical ability, and educational background.