Apply Here
‍

Role Purpose

The Tax Manager serves as a technical tax expert and client advisor, overseeing the preparation and review of complex tax returns while providing strategic tax planning guidance. This role combines deep technical knowledge with client relationship management to ensure compliance, minimize tax liabilities, and deliver exceptional service that positions LUCA as a trusted tax advisor.

The Big Win

Should you excel in this role — The big win is to become a trusted tax advisor who transforms complex tax regulations into strategic advantages for clients while building and mentoring a high-performing tax team. You'll develop deep expertise that allows clients to navigate tax challenges with confidence while creating efficient processes that ensure accuracy and compliance. By mastering both technical tax knowledge and client advisory skills, you'll help clients make informed decisions that optimize their tax positions and support their business goals, establishing LUCA as their indispensable tax partner.

Core Responsibilities

Tax Compliance & Technical Excellence

• Oversee preparation and review of federal, state, and local tax returns for individuals, corporations, partnerships, trusts, and nonprofits
• Ensure compliance with all applicable tax laws and regulations across multiple jurisdictions
• Develop and implement tax planning strategies to minimize tax liabilities and maximize client benefits
• Stay current with changes in tax laws and regulations, communicating impact to clients and staff
• Conduct complex tax research to resolve technical issues and support tax positions
• Prepare technical tax memoranda and documentation to support strategies and positions

Client Advisory & Relationship Management

• Serve as primary tax contact for assigned clients, managing relationships and expectations
• Conduct client meetings to discuss tax planning strategies and address tax-related issues
• Provide proactive tax advice and recommendations based on clients' financial situations and goals
• Monitor engagement budgets, overages, and billing to ensure profitability
• Coordinate with Client Directors and Controllers to integrate tax planning with overall financial strategy
• Manage client portfolio of diverse entities including individuals, corporations, partnerships, trusts, and nonprofits

Team Development & Staff Supervision

• Supervise and mentor junior tax staff, providing guidance for professional development
• Review work prepared by junior staff for accuracy and completeness
• Provide constructive feedback and coaching to support skill advancement
• Participate in performance evaluations and hiring processes for tax team members
• Facilitate knowledge transfer and cross-training within the tax team
• Lead team of 2-5 junior tax professionals, coordinating workload and development

Process Improvement & Quality Control

• Identify opportunities to improve tax processes and procedures for enhanced efficiency and accuracy
• Implement best practices and leverage technology to streamline tax preparation and review
• Ensure proper documentation and record-keeping for all tax-related activities
• Maintain quality control standards with 99%+ accuracy and zero compliance penalties
• Collaborate with other departments to optimize workflow and resource allocation
• Lead process optimization initiatives that improve team productivity and client service

Time Allocation & Metrics

• Client work and tax preparation: 60-70% of time
• Team development and supervision: 20% of time
• Business development and client relationship management: 15% of time
• Process improvement and professional development: 5% of time
• Tax return accuracy: 99%+ accuracy rate with zero compliance penalties
• Client satisfaction: Maintain 8.5+ out of 10 satisfaction scores
• Team retention: 85%+ annual retention of direct reports
• Engagement profitability: Meet or exceed budgets with minimal overages

Daily Responsibilities

• Review assigned tax work items and prioritize based on deadlines and client importance
• Provide technical guidance and support to junior tax staff on complex issues
• Review tax returns prepared by team members for accuracy and completeness
• Address urgent client tax questions and coordinate responses with appropriate expertise
• Monitor progress on tax return preparation and identify potential bottlenecks
• Stay current with tax law changes through professional resources and continuing education
• Update project management systems with current work status and priority adjustments

Weekly Responsibilities

• Conduct team meetings to coordinate work assignments and address technical issues
• Review all tax returns completed by junior staff and provide constructive feedback
• Update project management systems with current status and upcoming deadlines
• Communicate with clients proactively about tax planning opportunities and filing deadlines
• Coordinate with Client Directors and Controllers on integrated tax planning strategies
• Monitor team utilization and capacity to ensure efficient resource allocation
• Participate in firm-wide meetings to share tax insights and collaborate on client strategies

Monthly Responsibilities

• Conduct one-on-one meetings with direct reports for performance feedback and development planning
• Review client profitability and engagement performance across tax portfolio
• Analyze tax team capacity, utilization rates, and resource allocation effectiveness
• Meet with key clients to discuss tax planning strategies and upcoming opportunities
• Prepare monthly reports on tax department metrics including accuracy rates, client satisfaction, and team productivity
• Coordinate with finance team on billing, collections, and engagement profitability analysis
• Conduct technical research on complex tax issues and prepare memorandum for client files

Seasonal Responsibilities

• Lead comprehensive tax season planning including resource allocation, timeline development, and client communication strategies
• Manage extended hours during peak tax season (January-April), typically 55-65 hours per week
• Coordinate with other departments to optimize workflow during peak periods and manage competing priorities
• Ensure timely client communication regarding tax season deadlines, document requests, and filing expectations
• Oversee accelerated review processes to maintain quality while meeting aggressive filing deadlines
• Conduct post-season reviews to identify process improvements and team development needs for the following year
• Manage client extension strategies and coordinate with bookkeeping teams for timely completion

Success Indicators (Warning Signs)

• Compliance Issues: Tax return errors, penalties, or regulatory violations
• Client Dissatisfaction: Negative feedback on tax advice or service delivery
• Team Challenges: High turnover, low morale, or skill development gaps in tax team
• Process Breakdowns: Missed deadlines, quality control failures, or inefficient workflows
• Knowledge Gaps: Inability to address complex tax issues or provide strategic guidance

Operating with Curiosity and Intuition

Enhancing Client Tax Strategy (Low Effort / High Value)

• [Level 1] Send quarterly tax planning reminders highlighting upcoming deadlines and opportunities
• [Level 1] Create simple tax impact summaries for major client business decisions
• [Level 2] Develop annual tax planning calendars customized for each client's business cycle
• [Level 3] Build comprehensive multi-year tax strategies that integrate with clients' long-term business plans

Improving Tax Process Efficiency (Low Effort / High Value)

• [Level 1] Document common tax issues and solutions for team reference
• [Level 1] Create standardized checklists for different types of tax returns
• [Level 2] Implement workflow automation tools to reduce manual data entry and review time
• [Level 3] Design integrated tax preparation processes that leverage client accounting data

Developing Team Tax Expertise (Low Effort / High Value)

• [Level 1] Share relevant tax law updates and practical implications with the team weekly
• [Level 1] Conduct brief training sessions on complex tax issues as they arise
• [Level 2] Create structured learning paths for junior staff based on their experience levels
• [Level 3] Develop specialized expertise tracks (corporate tax, individual tax, etc.) for team members

Building Tax Advisory Relationships (Low Effort / High Value)

• [Level 1] Include business impact explanations with all technical tax advice
• [Level 1] Proactively identify tax planning opportunities during routine client interactions
• [Level 2] Develop industry-specific tax insights that add unique value for client sectors
• [Level 3] Create comprehensive tax advisory services that position LUCA as strategic tax partners

Professional Development Requirements

• CPA or EA certification (preferred)
• 5-10 years progressive tax experience
• 2-5 years in senior managerial role
• 3-7 years experience with federal tax codes
• 3-7 years experience with state tax codes
• 3-5 years team management experience
• 3-5 years managing complex client portfolios
• Strong research and technical writing skills
• Exceptional communication, project management, and interpersonal skills

Career Path

This role leads to advancement as Director of Tax, with potential pathways toward partner-level positions or specialized practice leadership roles. The Tax Manager position provides exposure to complex client relationships, team leadership responsibilities, and business development opportunities that prepare candidates for senior leadership positions within LUCA's tax practice or broader organizational leadership.

Evaluation Framework

Leadership will evaluate the Tax Manager's performance based on:

1. Technical Excellence & Compliance
   
   • Tax return accuracy and quality
   • Regulatory compliance maintenance
   • Complex issue resolution capability
   • Technical knowledge currency and application
     ‍
2. Client Service & Advisory Impact
   
   • Client satisfaction and retention
   • Tax planning value delivered
   • Relationship management effectiveness
   • Revenue generation and growth
     ‍
3. Team Leadership & Development
   
   • Staff retention and satisfaction
   • Skill advancement across tax team
   • Training effectiveness and knowledge transfer
   • Team productivity and efficiency
     ‍
4. Operational Excellence
   
   • Process improvement implementation
   • Quality control effectiveness
   • Technology adoption and utilization
   • Resource allocation optimization

Alignment with LUCA's Values

The Tax Manager embodies LUCA's values in specific ways:

• Simplify the complicated: Translates complex tax regulations into clear, actionable guidance for clients and team members
• Bring joy and light to every conversation: Approaches tax challenges with optimism and solution-focused thinking
• Proactively problem solve: Anticipates tax issues and identifies planning opportunities before they become critical
• Ground confidence in competence: Maintains deep technical expertise while continuously expanding knowledge of tax law changes
• Finish the job: Ensures all tax deliverables meet the highest standards of accuracy and compliance
• Be fanatically attentive to consistency and detail: Maintains meticulous standards in tax preparation, review, and advisory services

Ready to join us? Apply today and help shape the future of payroll and HR for small and medium-sized businesses!

Apply Here

Apply Here

‍

About LUCA LLC

At LUCA, we are seeking to redefine the way small- and medium-sized businesses connect with accountants and financial experts. Our clients trust us as their accounting and finance partners. In exchange, we work diligently to bring visibility, scale, and strategic advice to their businesses.

Description

Payroll Specialist: Internal Roles & Responsibilities

Role Purpose

The Payroll Specialist serves as a subject matter expert and mentor within LUCA's payroll practice, demonstrating mastery in payroll processing and compliance while guiding less experienced team members. This role combines advanced technical knowledge with problem-solving capabilities and team leadership to deliver exceptional payroll services, resolve complex compliance issues, and support both client and team success.

Primary Team

Payroll Team

The Big Win

Should you excel in this role, the big win is to become an indispensable payroll leader who not only delivers flawless technical work but elevates the capabilities of the entire payroll team. You'll demonstrate mastery in complex payroll and compliance scenarios while mentoring Payroll Coordinators to develop their skills and confidence. By consistently resolving challenging compliance issues independently, building strong client relationships, and optimizing processes, you'll create leverage that allows the Payroll Manager to focus on strategic initiatives while positioning yourself for advancement to Payroll Manager.

Core Responsibilities (What You'll Do)

Advanced Payroll Processing & Technical Excellence

• Handle complex payroll scenarios with minimal oversight across various client types and industries
• Process sophisticated payrolls involving multi-state taxation, garnishments, complex benefits, and unusual situations
• Review and approve payrolls prepared by Payroll Coordinators before final submission
• Identify and resolve technical payroll issues proactively before they impact clients or employees
• Serve as the technical resource for Payroll Coordinators on challenging matters
• Make independent decisions on routine compliance and processing questions

Compliance Expertise & Problem Resolution

• Maintain deep knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll laws and regulations
• Resolve complex payroll tax notices and agency correspondence independently
• Handle complex compliance issues involving wage garnishments, tax levies, child support orders
• Analyze and resolve multi-state taxation and reciprocity scenarios
• Conduct comprehensive compliance reviews to ensure clients meet all requirements
• Provide authoritative guidance on complex regulatory questions
• Stay ahead of legislative changes and communicate impacts to team and clients

Client Advisory & Relationship Leadership

• Serve as primary payroll contact for complex or high-value clients
• Conduct strategic client meetings to discuss payroll optimization and compliance
• Proactively identify client compliance risks and recommend solutions
• Educate clients on payroll best practices and regulatory requirements
• Handle sensitive employee relations issues involving payroll matters
• Build trusted advisor relationships that drive client retention and expansion
• Coordinate with HR Manager on integrated payroll and HR solutions

Team Mentorship & Knowledge Transfer

• Train and mentor Payroll Coordinators on technical skills and compliance knowledge
• Review work prepared by coordinators and provide constructive feedback
• Create and maintain training materials, compliance guides, and knowledge resources
• Lead team learning sessions on complex payroll topics and regulatory changes
• Serve as escalation point for coordinators' technical questions and challenges
• Model LUCA values and professional excellence in all interactions
• Conduct regular one-on-one mentoring sessions with assigned coordinators

Process Innovation & Quality Leadership

• Lead process improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency and accuracy
• Develop standardized workflows for complex payroll scenarios
• Identify automation opportunities and implement solutions
• Onboard new payroll clients with comprehensive setup and training
• Create quality control procedures that prevent errors
• Maintain Gusto Champion status and advanced certifications
• Contribute to firm-wide payroll practice development
  

Time Allocation & Metrics

• Complex payroll processing and compliance: 60% of time
• Team mentorship and quality review: 20% of time
• Client advisory and relationship management: 15% of time
• Process improvement and innovation: 5% of time
• Payroll accuracy: 99.5%+ accuracy rate across all processed payrolls
• Processing timeliness: 100% on-time submission with zero missed deadlines
• Client satisfaction: 9+ out of 10 satisfaction scores
• Compliance resolution: 100% successful resolution of tax notices and agency issues
• Team development: Measurable skill improvement in mentored coordinators
• Independent work capability: 90%+ of work requires no manager review
  

Daily Responsibilities

• Review and prioritize complex payroll work across multiple clients
• Provide technical guidance and support to Payroll Coordinators
• Review and approve payrolls prepared by coordinators
• Handle escalated client questions requiring expert payroll knowledge
• Process sophisticated payroll scenarios requiring specialized expertise
• Resolve urgent compliance issues and agency correspondence
• Monitor team workflow and offer assistance to maintain deadlines
• Communicate proactively with Payroll Manager on critical issues
  

Weekly Responsibilities

• Lead or participate in payroll team coordination meetings
• Review all payrolls completed by assigned Payroll Coordinators
• Conduct training sessions on identified skill gaps or compliance updates
• Process complex multi-state or specialized payrolls
• Coordinate with clients on compliance requirements and best practices
• Update team on regulatory changes and implementation requirements
• Complete advanced benefit reconciliations and compliance reviews
  

Monthly Responsibilities

• Conduct compliance audits for assigned client portfolio
• Meet with clients to review payroll strategies and address complex issues
• Provide performance feedback to mentored Payroll Coordinators
• Analyze process efficiency and implement improvements
• Complete advanced continuing education in specialized payroll areas
• Reconcile complex benefit deposits and resolve discrepancies
• Collaborate with Payroll Manager on practice development initiatives
• Review year-to-date accuracy for all assigned clients
  

Annual Responsibilities

• Lead comprehensive year-end reviews for assigned clients
• Ensure accurate W-2 preparation and filing across all clients
• Conduct annual compliance audits to identify and address risks
• Update all process documentation and training materials
• Maintain Gusto Champion and other relevant certifications
• Develop specialized expertise in emerging payroll areas
• Mentor coordinators through their first year-end close process
  

Key Performance Indicators (Success Markers)

• Technical Mastery: Consistently resolving complex compliance issues independently with exceptional accuracy
• Team Impact: Measurable improvement in skills and confidence of mentored coordinators
• Client Advocacy: Clients specifically requesting your expertise on complex matters
• Compliance Excellence: Zero client penalties or issues due to your oversight
• Independent Operation: Manager can delegate sophisticated work with confidence in your execution
  

Key Performance Indicators (Warning Signs)

• Quality Regression: Increase in errors or compliance issues requiring manager intervention
• Mentorship Gaps: Coordinators not developing or showing signs of frustration
• Client Escalations: Recurring compliance issues that could have been prevented
• Process Stagnation: Failure to identify or implement meaningful improvements
• Knowledge Plateauing: Not staying current with complex regulatory changes
  

Profile for Success (Who You Are)

• 4+ years progressive payroll processing experience
• Demonstrated advancement from Payroll Coordinator with proven excellence
• CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) or FPC (Fundamental Payroll Certification) completed or in progress
• Advanced proficiency in payroll software and multi-state compliance
• Experience mentoring or training others in payroll technical skills
• Strong analytical abilities and complex problem-solving skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with client advisory experience
• Deep knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll regulations
• Proven ability to work independently on sophisticated compliance matters

Apply Here