Description

SUMMARY: Handles complex assignments and begins to learn the complete process of managing all tasks regarding client work, takes lead role in reviewing work of less experienced staff, and plays an active role in the liaison to client management by performing the following duties.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Prepares more complex individual, partnership, and corporate income tax returns in various industries under the direction of the Manager, Senior Manager, Director or Partner by providing timely, high quality service.
• Performs client work on time, appropriate scope of services and within budget.
• Responsible for service quality, thoroughness and accuracy, proactively working with client to gather data and follow-up on open items.
• Assists in detail reviewing work papers, financial statements and tax returns before submission for review to the Manager, Senior Manager, Director or Partner.
• Demonstrates an understanding of tax concepts and effectively applies tax knowledge to client situations.
• Develops and delivers innovative tax planning ideas with timely and responsive services and work product that meets and/or exceeds client expectations.
• Gains understanding of client’s business, objectives, and industry, and prepares practical and creative solutions to the client’s tax situation.
• Monitors workload to meet billable hour goal and realization expectations.
• Takes lead role in supervising, scheduling and reviewing the work of less experienced staff.
• Researches accounting and tax issues as appropriate.
• Keeps clients informed of the tax developments that affect their business.
• Develops an understanding of the service capabilities and offerings of the Firm, recognizing opportunities to provide additional services to new or existing clients.
• Establishes and maintains long-term working relationships with clients, continuing to develop a network for future development opportunities.
• Maintains knowledge of accounting and tax requirements, ensuring compliance with internal and external requirements, staying abreast of any changes.
• Assists in training and developing staff.
• Maintains the required CPE for Firm and licensing standards.

COMPETENCIES:

• Comprehensive understanding of tax law/rules and implications.
• Strong communication skills, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to interact and maintain professional relationships with staff as well as clients.
• Ability to organize facts, analyze and interpret information/research according to client circumstances.
• Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining consistency, accuracy and providing superior service.
• Works autonomously under the pressure of tight deadlines and multiple priorities.
• Must be well organized, detail oriented and thorough.
• Exhibits strong analytical ability and diligently performs assigned tasks with the highest degree of professionalism and integrity.
• Must exhibit a high degree of professionalism including the ability to maintain the highest levels of confidentiality.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team with professionals at all levels.
• Exhibits excellent client service skills including the identification of opportunities to provide additional services to clients and/or non-clients.
• Participates in Firm, professional and civic activities that contribute to the community and overall marketing effort of Heard, McElroy, & Vestal.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Supervises lower-level Tax staff. Responsibilities may include training employees; planning, assigning, and overseeing work; and appraising performance.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience:

Bachelor’s degree from four-year college or university in Accounting with strong academic track record (minimum GPA of 3.0); CPA certification required; four years current and/or recent public accounting experience in preparing income tax returns and researching tax issues preferred.

Computer Skills:

To perform this job successfully, an individual should be proficient in Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel as well as have working knowledge of office equipment, computer hardware and peripheral devices. Proficient with tax preparation and research software. Masters tax software tools as well as Firm software applications and procedures.

Firm Culture/Client Service:

Promotes the firm’s culture, including supporting Heard, McElroy & Vestal’s philosophy of developing a relationship with each client on a personal level, catering to their specific needs. Ability and judgment to interact and communicate appropriately with other employees, clients and management. Actively develops team members at all levels. Ability to serve clients, both internal and external (community/public) in a manner that will support superior client relations.

Physical Demands/Work Environment:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk or use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand, reach with hands and arms, and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions. It does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. Heard, McElroy & Vestal shall, in its discretion, modify or adjust the position to meet the Firm’s changing needs. This job description is not a contract and may be adjusted as deemed appropriate in the Firm’s sole discretion.