Role Purpose
The Tax Specialist executes the core technical work of tax return preparation across all entity and individual return types. This seat is responsible for building accurate, well-documented returns that can be reviewed and delivered with confidence. The Tax Supervisor's primary review function only works if the Specialist's work is thorough, complete, and consistent with Collective's standards.
Accountability
Accountable To
Seat 4 — Tax Supervisor (daily work review and mentorship); Seat 1 — Client Business Advisor (HR and performance).
Direct Reports / Accountable From
No direct reports.
Responsibilities
- Business and individual tax return preparation in ProConnect
- Books-to-Tax write-up workpaper creation and trial balance mapping
- AJE preparation and QBO posting for CAAS clients
- M-1 entry preparation and schedule population
- State return differences from federal — identification and entry
- Preparer checklist completion, initialing, and self-review
- Tax estimate baseline preparation per SOP
- Seat 4 — Tax Supervisor (daily direction and review)
- Seat 6 — Bookkeeping Specialist (YE handoff)
- Seat 8 — Client Service Administrator (intake gaps, document logistics, assembly)
- Preparer self-review checklist — completed and initialed before reassigning to Supervisor
- Sanity checks — book income tie-out, Schedule L balance, M-1 check figures
Seat Overlaps & Cross-Function Support
| Seat | Nature of Overlap or Support |
|---|
| Seat 4 — Tax Supervisor | Daily working partner. The Supervisor owns first review and technical mentorship. Submitting a clean, fully self-reviewed return is core to this seat's standard. |
| Seat 6 — Bookkeeping Specialist | YE books-to-tax handoff. The Specialist depends on a clean year-end close from accounting before prep can begin. |
| Seat 8 — Client Service Administrator | CSA manages intake and assembly. Specialist focuses solely on the technical prep work between Ready for Prep and Under Review. |
Measures of Success
- Preparer accuracy rate — Supervisor review requiring minimal rework per return
- Return completion time vs. target hours by return type
- Self-review checklist compliance — 100% of submitted returns
- Workpaper quality — books-to-tax write-up complete and well-documented