DeLaney & Co CPA's
Tax Manager
Full Time • Lancaster
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Bonus based on performance
- Competitive salary
- Health insurance
- Opportunity for advancement
- Paid time off
- Training & development
DeLaney & Co., CPAs is a growing accounting and advisory firm serving individuals and small to mid-sized businesses across Central Ohio. We provide tax, accounting, payroll, and consulting services with a focus on long-term relationships, thoughtful strategy, and client-first solutions.
We’re building something different—and you can be part of it. At our firm, we’re not just crunching numbers or checking boxes. We believe that great tax planning goes beyond compliance. It’s about helping business owners keep more of what they earn, reinvest it smartly, and achieve their long-term goals. That’s what drives us every day — and it’s why we’re shifting from a traditional, rear-facing tax and accounting model to a proactive, planning-focused approach.
To support that shift, we’ve invested in new technology and redesigned our internal processes to deliver tax strategy year-round — not just during filing season. The Tax Manager will play a central role in this evolution by leading the implementation of our planning model, training team members, overseeing tax operations, and ensuring that we’re prioritizing the right work at the right time.
This role is designed to grow into full leadership of the tax department, working closely with our Practice Manager to align strategy, manage workflows, and support team performance.
We treat our team like we treat our clients — with respect, transparency, and partnership. You’re not just a cog in the wheel here. You’re a valued leader, a strategic voice, and a critical part of a firm that’s intent on doing things better.
My duties and responsibilities in this position are:
The Tax Manager is responsible for delivering high-quality service to our clients while also leading the day-to-day operations of the tax department. This includes direct tax preparation, review of staff work, team oversight, and helping implement our shift toward year-round, planning-first engagements. Above all, this role is expected to help our clients — by providing clear guidance, practical advice, and proactive support that improves their financial outcomes and strengthens our relationships.
The Tax Manager is responsible for delivering high-quality service to our clients while also leading the day-to-day operations of the tax department. This includes direct tax preparation, review of staff work, team oversight, and helping implement our shift toward year-round, planning-first engagements. Above all, this role is expected to help our clients — by providing clear guidance, practical advice, and proactive support that improves their financial outcomes and strengthens our relationships.
Key duties include:
- Help our clients by delivering thoughtful, timely, and strategic tax advice across all engagements
- Prepare and review federal, state, and local income tax returns for individuals, corporations, partnerships, and trusts
- Serve as a lead preparer on complex or high-value clients, while supporting team workload during peak periods
- Provide technical review and guidance for senior tax associates and support staff; coach team members and support skill development
- Oversee the day-to-day operations of the tax department, ensuring workflow visibility and timely completion of work
- Lead firmwide adoption and use of tax planning software; act as the internal subject matter expert and trainer
- Lead proactive tax planning and scenario modeling for business and high-net-worth clients, including identifying existing clients who may benefit and supporting their transition into year-round advisory
- Collaborate with the Practice Manager to maintain and improve workflows, project prioritization, and workload balancing using project software
- Ensure compliance with applicable tax laws and internal quality control standards
- Conduct tax research and respond to IRS or state notices as needed
- Contribute to process documentation and firmwide initiatives to improve consistency and efficiency
Expected results in this position:
The following outcomes are expected from the Tax Manager role. These results support the firm’s ongoing shift toward proactive tax planning, stronger team alignment, and consistently excellent client service.
The following outcomes are expected from the Tax Manager role. These results support the firm’s ongoing shift toward proactive tax planning, stronger team alignment, and consistently excellent client service.
Within the first 30 days:
- Gain a working knowledge of the firm’s current tax planning strategy, systems, and key client relationships
- Begin preparing and reviewing returns as assigned to support timely completion of in-progress projects
- Complete training on the firm’s tax planning tools and software; begin identifying integration needs and opportunities
- Establish clear communication routines with the Practice Manager and Senior Tax Associates
Within the first 90 days:
- Take ownership of tax planning software implementation; become the internal subject matter expert
- Lead team training sessions on the effective use of planning software and processes
- Begin embedding planning workflows into recurring client meetings and internal review cycles
- Collaborate with the Practice Manager to support project prioritization using time tracking, budgeted hours, and client value assessments
- Contribute to reducing any backlog of open client projects and ensure timely delivery based on established priorities
Ongoing / Long-Term:
- Maintain and expand firmwide use of proactive planning tools and workflows
- Lead the process of evaluating existing clients for transition into year-round planning engagements
- Oversee tax department operations, including staff workload balancing, workflow visibility, and performance coaching
- Deliver high-quality service through the preparation and review of complex returns across individual and business entity types
- Support ongoing refinement of firm processes, training programs, and client communication standards
- Serve as a key leadership partner in helping the firm meet strategic goals while maintaining a client-first culture
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required for this Position:
The Tax Manager must possess a strong foundation in tax law, technical preparation skills, leadership capabilities, and a forward-focused mindset aligned with the firm’s strategic goals. This role requires both independent execution and collaborative leadership within a fast-paced, client-focused environment.
The Tax Manager must possess a strong foundation in tax law, technical preparation skills, leadership capabilities, and a forward-focused mindset aligned with the firm’s strategic goals. This role requires both independent execution and collaborative leadership within a fast-paced, client-focused environment.
The candidate must already have or be able to demonstrate:
- Proficiency in individual, corporate, partnership, and fiduciary tax law and return preparation
- Ability to manage and prioritize multiple client engagements and deadlines concurrently
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex tax concepts clearly to clients and staff
- Familiarity with accounting software, tax preparation systems, and workflow/project management tools
- Experience training and mentoring staff members in both tax preparation and professional development
- Sound professional judgment and problem-solving skills in both client-facing and internal matters
- A client-first attitude with a commitment to delivering responsive, thoughtful, and strategic service
I already have or will develop within three months the following:
- Proficiency in the firm’s tax planning tools and ability to lead internal implementation and training
- Familiarity with the firm’s workflow management systems and internal processes, including project tracking and prioritization
- Working knowledge of key client relationships and the firm’s client service standards
- Ability to identify opportunities to improve tax processes, planning strategies, and internal communication
I have the following experience which is needed for this position:
- Bachelor's degree in accounting (or equivalent work experience)
- 4+ years of hands-on experience in tax and accounting, focused on individuals and small to mid-sized businesses
- CPA or EA license (preferred)
- Experience with accounting software including QuickBooks, Ultra Tax (preferred) or similar software.
- Direct client-facing experience, including planning conversations and return delivery
- Experience training, mentoring or supervising staff in tax or accounting roles
Compensation: $75,000.00 - $125,000.00 per year
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