Accountant Manager

Our firm has been the trusted accounting partner for Upstate New York families, businesses, and not-for-profit organizations for many decades, over 50 years of relationships. Our clients stay with us for decades — often across generations — because we treat them like the neighbors and partners they are.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced, relationship-driven Accounting Manager to take on lead responsibility for client engagements and firm operations. This is a senior, client-facing role designed for a CPA who wants to be the go-to person clients call when they need answers, advice, or reassurance.

Over time, the Accounting Manager will progressively take over the day-to-day responsibilities currently held by the primary partner— managing engagements end to end, leading client relationships, and serving as the firm's primary point of contact. The retiring leadership will remain actively involved and will mentor the transition; this is a hand-off of responsibility, not of ownership.

Above all else, this role requires someone who genuinely enjoys clients. The technical work matters, but our clients stay because of how they're treated. We need someone who picks up the phone, returns the email same-day, sits across the desk at year-end planning meetings, and earns trust the old-fashioned way.

What You'll Do

• Own client relationships — Be the primary point of contact for an assigned book of clients including individuals, families, small businesses, and not-for-profits. Meet with clients in person, by phone, and via video; build the kind of trust that lasts decades.
• Lead engagements end to end — Manage and review audited, reviewed, and compiled financial statements; oversee bookkeeping, adjusting entries, and depreciation work
• Prepare and review tax returns — Individual, corporate (C-corp, S-corp), partnership, trust, estate, and not-for-profit returns; deliver them on time and explain them clearly
• Provide proactive tax planning — Help clients minimize liability through entity structuring, retirement planning, installment sales, qualified exchanges, and timely elections
• Represent clients before the IRS and New York State tax authorities on notices, audits, and correspondence
• Advise on business decisions — Cash management, lease vs. purchase, budgeting, financial analysis, business valuations, and feasibility studies
• If necessary, support QuickBooks clients with setup, training, and troubleshooting
• Progressively assume firm leadership responsibilities — engagement scheduling, quality control, staff oversight, and serving as the firm's lead voice with clients and the community
• Be visible in the community — represent the firm at local business events, networking opportunities, and client gatherings

Required Qualifications

• Active CPA license in New York State (or eligible and willing to obtain promptly)
• 7+ years of public accounting experience with a mix of accounting, audit, and tax work
• Demonstrated track record of managing client relationships directly — this is non-negotiable
• Strong working knowledge of U.S. GAAP, GAAS, federal and New York State tax law
• Experience preparing and reviewing audited, reviewed, and compiled financial statements
• Experience across return types: individual, corporate, partnership, trust, estate, and not-for-profit
• Proficiency with QuickBooks (Desktop and Online) and standard tax preparation software
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills — comfortable in front of clients, in the community, and on the phone
• Professionalism, discretion, and a service-oriented mindset
• Commitment to the Gloversville/Upstate NY region — this is a long-term role with deep local roots

Strongly Preferred

• Prior management experience at a small-to-midsize CPA firm
• Not-for-profit audit experience
• Experience with estate and trust returns and administration
• Familiarity with the Upstate New York business community and its industries
• Active membership in AICPA and/or NYSSCPA

What You Can Expect From Us

• A mentored, supported transition — Our transitioning partner will work alongside you, introduce you personally to clients, and share nearly 50 years of institutional knowledge
• An established book of loyal clients — multi-generational relationships you'll inherit and grow, not a cold start
• Variety of work — audit, tax, advisory, not-for-profit, estate, and small-business consulting. No two weeks look the same.
• A respected firm name — AICPA peer-reviewed and recognized as the region's top accounting practice
• Quality of life — Upstate New York living, close to the Adirondacks, Saratoga, and the Mohawk Valley. Real community, real seasons, real work-life balance.
• Competitive compensation — base salary commensurate with experience, performance bonus, health insurance, paid time off, and CPE/professional dues covered