Supervising Senior Tax Accountant

A Supervising Senior is responsible for larger more complex engagements than a Senior and will manage multiple engagements simultaneously. Supervising Seniors assume responsibility for supervising engagements and special assignments, can review working papers and financial statements, and can communicate with clients on a one-on-one basis. Supervising Seniors are responsible for complying with professional standards and regulations.

Performance Expectations:

• Assumes full responsibility for supervising engagements and special assignments using established Firm policies and procedures.
• Coordinates various phases of engagements, plans engagements, budgets time and expenses, monitors actual performance against budget, reviews working papers for accuracy and completeness, and reviews financial statements for suitability of presentation and adequacy of disclosures.
• Resolves accounting and auditing problems as they arise and discusses with manager and Partner before final decision is made and communicated to client. 
• Provides supervision and on-the-job training to staff assigned to engagement.
• Reviews and evaluates clients' internal controls and makes recommendations if needed. Informs manager and Partner of any internal control issues noted. 
• Assigns work to staff members based on their knowledge and capabilities.
• Supports training of staff members, offers guidance and direction, gives constructive criticism of working papers.
• Ensures that working papers, financial statements, and other documents are prepared in accordance with generally accepted professional and firm standards.
• Communicates effectively all aspects of work performed to clients, staff, managers, and partners (this includes both verbal and written communication).
• Communicates engagement's progress, problems, resolutions, financial information, and other business concerns to the client, manager and partner.
• Reviews with managers or partners significant findings that raise questions involving accounting principles or statement presentation.
• Prepares or reviews financial statements, notes, schedules, and management letters (where appropriate) for later discussion between manager or partner and the client.
• Works directly with clients to meet their needs, while communicating status of all clients to managers and partners.
• Demonstrates confidence when dealing with staff and clients on all matters.
• Makes sure that work is completed promptly and within predetermined budgets.
• Maintains high professional standards. 
• Contributes to staff performance reviews.

Assignments:

Supervising Seniors are responsible for firm engagements. Duties may include the following:

• Supervising staff, delegating portions of engagements, and taking responsibility for decisions relating to engagements.
• Distributing work load to ensure maximum staff productivity, ensuring that lower-level staff work is performed by appropriate personnel, and supervising work schedules of all subordinates.
• Assuming some responsibility for administrative functions including staff evaluations, budget preparation, staff training, and contributing to the firm’s policies and communicating these policies to the staff.
• Serving in educational programs as an instructor or discussion leader.
• Participating in the firm’s practice development efforts, which consists of expanding services to clients, including projections and analysis.
• Prepares other reports and projects as requested from time to time by managers or partners.
• Such other duties as may be assigned.

Professional Development:

Supervisors are expected to develop professionally by:

• Acting as a staff mentor by providing guidance and serving as a professional role model.
• Becoming more conscious of the need to increase the firm’s growth through new business, identifying new services that may be sold to clients, and continuing to attempt to attract new clients.
• Continuing to promote the firm’s image through participation in civic, professional, and business organizations, including speaking engagements and seminars.
• Learning new technology the firm introduces into the work environment.

Education, Experience and Skills Required:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or Master's degree in accounting. A Bachelor’s or Advanced degree in another business discipline may qualify if it includes enough accounting credits to qualify for the CPA exam.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in English, verbal and written.
• Continuing professional education as established by the AICPA and applicable state society, averaging 40 hours annually.

Working Conditions:

• Frequent same day travel for work at client's offices, meetings, and seminars using a personal vehicle.
• Occasional out-of-town travel with overnight stay for work at clients, meetings, or seminars, often using a personal vehicle.
• Occasional overtime work required throughout the year. Overtime and Saturday work may be required from mid-January through end of April as well as other times throughout the year depending on client needs.  
• Minimal Safety Hazards: General office working conditions.

This job description does not list all the duties of the job. You may be asked by partners or managers to perform other instructions and duties. You will be evaluated in part based upon your performance of the tasks listed in this job description.

Management has the right to revise this job description at any time. The job description is not a contract for employment, and either you or the employer may terminate employment at any time, for any reason.