Service Operations Manager - Client Advisory

Company: Talley LLP

Title: Client Advisory Services, Operations Manager

Location: Orange, California

Schedule: Onsite

About the Company

Talley, LLP and its affiliated entities, Talley Law Group (TLG), and Talley Capital Group (TCG), collectively known as “Talley”, is a full service financial, tax, legal and consulting organization designed to meet the needs of entrepreneurially driven businesses. They look to serve clients as business partners and not merely as providers of traditional accounting or tax services. Talley is continuously in search of more effective ways to improve clients' bottom line and where suitable, seek to act in an advisory role adding knowledge and expertise.

Talley LLP was founded in 1989, with the mission of helping entrepreneurially driven businesses and their owners, along with athletes and high net worth individuals, to manage their financial affairs and to achieve their business objectives profitably and efficiently. The professionals at Talley strive to become the Most Trusted Advisor (MTA) to our clients, providing global solutions to the challenges and opportunities facing our clients and their business.

Talley's service profile has grown and evolved as has its clientele, now incorporating a broad array of services designed to serve the entrepreneur:

• Audit and assurance services, including traditional 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
• Mergers & acquisition, growth through acquisition and operational consulting delivered through TCG

Working in an entrepreneurial environment is not for the faint of heart. In order to serve clients at the highest level, we expect our professionals to be committed to the highest quality of advice and service. It is a culture of accountability and results. Talley is a boutique firm of over 50 US based team members and more than 30 offshore and outsourced team members. Our offices are located in Orange, CA. We have grown rapidly over the past few years, becoming one of the prominent professional service firms in Orange County. We embrace a hybrid work culture, emphasizing client service and quality provided by professional, competent and motivated individuals.

Position Summary

We are currently seeking a Client Advisory Services (CAS) Operations Manager to oversee daily operations of the CAS department, manage client onboard activity, and actively oversee and develop our accounting support staff. The CAS Operations Manager must have strong organizational skills, constant attention to detail, interest in actively pursuing technological and AI-oriented process solutions, and a desire to mentor others in their professional growth and development. If you have a deep understanding of financial management, strong analytical skills, adaptability to diverse client needs, a problem-solving mindset, a strong ethical compass, and a desire to help those around you succeed, you’re a great fit for this role.

Essential Functions of the Position

Qualities

• Time management
• Project management and project delegation skills
• Exceptional organizational skills
• Strong communication skills
• Responsiveness to time-sensitive items
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team
• Deadline-oriented

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, risk management, and analysis of key financial metrics relevant to different industries
• Proficiency in widely used tools (e.g., QuickBooks, Sage Intacct) for managing day-to-day accounting
• Comfort handling large datasets and conducting analysis to uncover trends, correlations, and operational inefficiencies
• Knowledge of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) or technology-oriented solutions to streamline repetitive finance processes
• Capability to identify and recommend financial controls to mitigate fraud and errors
• Ability to work with IT, HR, operations, and other teams to ensure smooth rollouts of financial initiatives
• Advanced Excel skills, familiar with Microsoft Access, Word, and PowerPoint
• Strong understanding of data and information flows

Client Service

• Proactively communicate with colleagues and clients
• Effective communication of project status
• Prompt responsiveness to all client inquiries

Training and Personnel

• Directly oversee and engage remote staff constantly to ensure staff learning objectives are met
• Participate in department activities as a team player on behalf of the department and the firm

Department

• Follow department policies and procedures
• Identify process improvement ideas
• Contribute to department weekly meetings
• Proactively overcome obstacles and problem solve

Key Deliverables

The most significant accomplishment will be to have the CAS Operations Manager develop into a relied-upon asset to the CAS and Talley LLP team. The position will support the CAS department and possibly other departments and firm management to achieve the company’s business objectives. These objectives include, but are not limited to:

1. 30 Days:

• Complete familiarity with internal systems and programs and understanding with how our project management software is set up
• Full understanding of client reporting deliverables, deadlines and teams
• Initial oversight and direct involvement with recurring client financial close processes for assigned clients
• Participate actively in CAS management meetings and address follow-up assignments

1. 60 Days:

• Oversee close cycles for key clients assigned and be considered the primary contact point for directly assigned client relationships, participate in client close calls and identify potential opportunities for relationship expansion
• Lead the weekly CAS operations team meeting and address follow-up items
• Effectively manage client onboarding projects and report status updates to department partner weekly
• Assist key department personnel with internal workflow and firm system conversion

1. 90 Days:

• Actively manage and monitor employees assigned via the Balanced Score Card, with assistance from department partner
• Consult with department partner regarding key employee capabilities and deficiencies so department is properly staffed
• Actively review and monitor quality controls for client deliverables and determine if adjustments need to be made
• Identify and present to department partner potential opportunities for expanded services within the CAS service lines

1. 180 Days:

• Independently oversee key personnel and clients
• Determine appropriate staffing assignments for both project and recurring client work
• Create learning plans for department staff that meet firm objectives

Preferred Attributes

• Successful applicants will have a minimum of 10 years of accounting or finance experience.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required.
• High energy level, comfortable performing multifaceted projects in conjunction with normal activities.
• Experience in a customer service-focused environment.
• Inherent curiosity, self-motivated to gain understanding.
• Ability to get along well with diverse personalities; be tactful, mature, and flexible.
• Ability to operate independently and “self-manage” projects.
• Results and profit-oriented focus, with the ability to balance other business considerations.
• Strong analytical and reasoning abilities.
• Superior numeric skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate and actively support the values of the firm and communicate these values to others.