Manager, Tax Resource Management

Who We Are

About Ascend

Backed by private equity from people-focused Alpine Investors Ascend is building a dynamic platform for regional accounting firms that enables them to stay independent while accessing the resources of a Top 25 firm to help them grow. Ascend provides access to growth capital robust talent acquisition and training leading quality management resourcesbest-of-breed technology AI tools an offshore captive shared back-office services a catalytic leadership system and modernized equity incentives so that firms can surmount todays industry challenges to reach their full potential. For more information visit .

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 68th year anniversary in 2025 we attribute our exceptional growth and low turnover to our appreciation of our people and clients.

The Role

At Lucas Horsfall a Manager Tax Resource Management oversees the day-to-day operational workflow of the tax department with primary responsibility for staff scheduling workload distribution and process efficiency during peak filing seasons and year-round engagements. This is a senior-level role combining hands-on project & operational management with strategic planning to ensure the department meets client deadlines regulatory due dates and internal capacity targets. This role will be performed in a hybrid environment out of our Pasadena CA office location.

Key Responsibilities

Scheduling & Capacity Management

• Develop and manage the master scheduling system for all tax preparers reviewers and support staff across tax season and off-season periods
• Coordinate staffing against engagements across offices & tax service lines (individual business trust & estate international)
• Allocate client engagements based on staff capacity expertise and certification levels (e.g. CPA EA)
• Monitor real-time workload distribution and rebalance assignments to prevent bottlenecks or burnout
• Resolve scheduling conflicts and escalated staffing requests quickly professionally and with sound judgment.
• Lead weekly staffing calls; communicate assignment decisions clearly and ensure all changes are reflected in the scheduling and practice-management systems.

Operations Management

• In Partnership with Head of Tax design and refine departmental workflows including document intake review cycles and e-filing processes across offices to improve turnaround and throughput.
• Establish and track key metrics of projects such as turnaround time return accuracy and on-time filing rates to Identify recurring bottlenecks and create efficiency

Coordination & Reporting

• Coordinate with Tax Professionals Directors/Partners on resource allocation for complex or high-priority engagements
• Facilitate communication between preparers reviewers and client-facing staff to keep engagements on track
• Prepare review and monitor regular operational and utilization reports for department leadership; maintain accurate records of engagement status and deadline compliance.

Client & Stakeholder Coordination

• Serve as the single point of contact for scheduling and capacity questions from the professional staff and partners.
• Oversee deadline tracking across the client portfolio to ensure no filings are missed
• Coordinate extension filings across offices and triage urgent or escalated client requests
• Serve as a liaison between the tax team and other departments (audit advisory admin) on shared resources

Compliance & Reporting

• Maintain accurate records of staff hours engagement status and deadline compliance
• Prepare regular operational reports for department leadership
• Ensure scheduling practices align with firm policies and applicable labor regulations

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Business Administration Accounting or related field
• 5 years of experience in operations scheduling or practice management ideally within an accounting/tax/professional services environment
• Proven experience managing projects and complex scheduling systems
• Strong proficiency in scheduling/practice management software (e.g. CCH Axcess Karbon ProSystem fx or similar) and Microsoft Office/Excel
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage competing deadlines under pressure

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience specifically within a CPA firm or corporate tax department
• Familiarity with accounting tax season cycles IRS deadlines and e-filing requirements
• Comfort working with utilization and capacity data to inform resourcing decisions.
• An awareness of staffing needs based on historical filing volume and upcoming deadlines (e.g. March 15 April 15 extension deadlines)
• Project management certification (PMP) a plus

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

The pay range for this role is $100000 - $150000 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.