Tax Manager (Estate & Trust)

Who We Are

About Ascend

At Ascend, we recognize the struggles that accounting & finance professionals face in traditional firms—from rigid hierarchies and overwhelming workloads to the elusive work-life balance. We believe your ambition should not be constrained by outdated practices or opaque career paths. Here, you're not just a number but a valued member of a community that champions both your professional and personal fulfillment. Our mission is to transform the public accounting experience into one where work-life harmony is a reality, and where your career advancement is supported by a nurturing network and robust resources. 

We partner with regional, entrepreneurial firms and provide them with the resources and support necessary to thrive in today's dynamic market. This includes access to growth capital, robust talent acquisition, top-tier technology, transformative leadership, shared back-office services, & more. Founded in January 2023, Ascend attained revenues to sufficiently qualify as a Top 100 U.S. accounting firm within six months of operation. Explore Ascend, where your career soars without sacrificing your quality of life.

About Lucas Horsfall

Have you dreamt about a career in public accounting with work-life balance? Enjoying the diversity of clients and the challenging work public accounting offers with the added benefits of professional growth and opportunity for advancement? Have you experienced a culture that is fun and diverse offering an authentic family feel with people that truly care about you and your professional development? Lucas Horsfall is that CPA firm. Celebrating our 67th year anniversary in 2024, we attribute our exceptional growth and low turnover to our appreciation of our people and clients. This growth has provided a need for a Tax Manager to help deliver personal and experienced service to our vast array of clients.

The Role

As a Tax Manager at Lucas Horsfall, you will lead and manage all phases of estate and trust (706, 709, 1041) tax advisory and compliance engagements. You will manage clients independently and carry out your outstanding project management, analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills. You will perform technical reviews of business and individual returns, participate in training and supervision of staff, conduct tax research, and advise on tax matters. Our company is team-oriented and prides itself on providing quality work and excellent customer relations in a friendly, superior working environment. 

Key Responsibilities

• Perform initial and/or final review of manager, tax senior, tax staff and intern work products.
• Act as primary client point of contact for the firm.
• Identify opportunities for value added services for clients by staying abreast of their business needs.
• Communicate staffing and workload issues to Resource Planning.
• Review and confirm assignment objectives, scope, and work plan with client.
• Resolve work product issues using firm resources.
• Contribute to the development and management of comprehensive strategies to identify and meet all client needs.
• Identify and research technical issues to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local tax laws.
• Coach and mentor staff to assist with enhancing their skills and further develop their career.
• Identify and pursue new clients and identify any additional needs to cross sell other firm products and services to existing clients.
• Support the partner team in the development and planning of strategy, objectives, and budgets.
• Prepare and/or review monthly client bills.
• Anticipate, identify, and resolve complex tax-technical issues.
• Effectively manage expectations, internal and external, concerning changes in project deliverables and/or deadlines.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or related field
• CPA
• 5+ years of experience preparing and reviewing forms 706, 709, and 1041.
• Excellent project management, analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills
• Self-motivator with the ability to multi-task and complete assignments within time constraints and deadlines
• A strong desire toward career advancement and goal toward future firm ownership

Preferred Qualifications

• Consultative/Advising Experience
• Knowledge of CCH Axcess Tax and Lacerte

What We Offer

As a firm, we offer great benefits, a competitive salary and tuition reimbursement for advanced education. Headquartered in Pasadena, CA with offices in Encino and Irvine, Lucas Horsfall is a growing CPA and consulting firm focused on tax, audit, and consulting needs. Explore the opportunities that await you today! Join our team and enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that supports well-being, health, and ongoing professional growth:

• Flexible PTO
• Excellent Voluntary Insurance Options
• 401(k) Matching
• Discretionary Bonus
• Commitment to Professional Development
• Meaningful work that makes a difference in our clients' lives

How to Apply

Submit your information in the application section directly below! This will include:

• Basic contact information
• Resume/CV and optional cover letter upload
• Work eligibility, credentials, and compensation
• Voluntary demographic & self-ID questions

For further questions or inquiries about the role, please reach out to Aidan Jebson, Sr. Recruiter at ajebson@ascendtogether.com.

The pay range for this role is $135,000 - $180,000 per year. This range includes the anticipated low and high end of the pay range for this position. Actual compensation may vary based on various factors, including experience, education, and/or skill level.

At Ascend, we provide a fair and equal employment opportunity for all candidates regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, marital status, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic. Ascend hires and promotes individuals solely based on qualifications for the position to be filled and business needs.