Vendor Manager, Professional Services - Remote Eligible

Vendor Manager

The Vendor Manager is responsible for owning, orchestrating, and developing our comprehensive network of third-party partners, encompassing both service delivery and technology platform vendors. This critical role ensures the seamless, high-quality, and compliant delivery of services that directly impact our client experience and protect our brand. The ideal candidate is a strategic and results-oriented professional who will act as a partner to our internal service lines, driving vendor performance, innovation, and value through rigorous data analysis and insights.

They will be the central point of contact for our vendor partners, responsible for holding them accountable to our firm's standards of excellence, accuracy, and timeliness.

At 1-800Accountant, we help small business owners win by giving them the same financial edge as the big players. As America's largest virtual accounting firm for small businesses, we combine powerful technology with expert CPAs to maximize tax savings and keep owners focused on growth.

Founded by veteran CPAs with big-firm backgrounds, our mission is simple: bring enterprise-level expertise to entrepreneurs in every industry and help them keep more of what they earn. We move fast, we focus on results, and we give small businesses the financial firepower to compete and succeed.

Key Responsibilities

1. Vendor Strategy & Sourcing

• Leverage market data and analytics to identify, research, and vet potential domestic and international vendors specializing in tax preparation, advisory, bookkeeping, and payroll processing.
• Lead the due diligence, selection, and onboarding process for new vendor partners.
• Develop a strategic sourcing plan that aligns with company growth, service quality goals, and cost-efficiency targets.

2. Performance & Quality Management

• Establish, monitor, and enforce Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for all vendors. Key metrics will include accuracy rates, turnaround times, client satisfaction scores, and compliance adherence.
• Partner with our Quality and Standards department to implement and manage a robust Quality Assurance (QA) program, including regular audits of vendor work, review of client files, and verification of deliverables.
• Conduct formal Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) and maintain vendor scorecards to track performance, analyze trends, and deliver data-backed insights to drive accountability and continuous improvement.

3. Relationship & Operations Management

• Serve as the primary point of contact for all vendor-related communications, escalations, and issue resolution.
• Foster strong, collaborative, and long-term relationships with vendor partners to ensure they function as a seamless extension of our internal team.
• Work cross-functionally with our internal client service, tax, and accounting teams to integrate vendor workflows, tools, and processes into our operational framework.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement and innovation with partners, using performance data to inform discussions and identify opportunities to enhance service quality, efficiency, and the overall client experience.

4. Contract & Financial Management

• Lead data-informed contract negotiations, pricing discussions, and the creation of Statements of Work (SOWs) that protect the interests of our company and our clients.
• Manage vendor budgets, utilizing spend data to identify trends, review and approve invoices for accuracy, and track all related expenditures.
• Conduct Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis to ensure the company is receiving the best possible value from its vendor partnerships.

5. Risk & Compliance

• Ensure all vendor partners strictly adhere to data security protocols, privacy policies, and regulatory requirements (e.g., IRS regulations, GDPR, state-specific data laws).
• Conduct periodic data-driven risk assessments of vendors, evaluating their operational stability, security posture, and business continuity plans.

6. Technology & Platform Management

• Act as the primary business owner for relationships with key technology and platform vendors, including Intuit (QuickBooks Online, Lacerte), ADP, Tax1099, and other software integral to our service delivery.
• Lead contract lifecycle management for all technology vendors, including renewals, pricing negotiation, and evaluating licensing models to ensure cost-effectiveness and scalability.
• Monitor platform performance, uptime, and support SLAs to ensure technology vendors meet our operational needs and client expectations.
• Collaborate with internal teams to understand technology needs, communicate feature requests, and stay informed on vendor product roadmaps to maximize the value of our toolsets.

Additional position details:

• Work Location: Remote- AL, AZ, CT, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, MD, MN, NJ, NY, NC, OR, PA, TN, TX, UT, WA.
• Remote Work: If you are a remote employee, you are only authorized to work from one of the approved states listed. Working while traveling to other states or countries is not permitted.
• Standard Operating Hours: 9:30-6:30 pm EST
• Orientation: 9 AM EST Day 1
• Equipment: The company provides equipment for this role.
• Employment Type: full-time, exempt position

Qualifications & Work Experience

Required:

• 5+ years of experience in vendor management, strategic sourcing, partner management, or a similar role.
• Direct experience working within an accounting firm, CPA firm, or professional financial services environment is mandatory. You must understand the lifecycle and nuances of tax, bookkeeping, and payroll services.
• Proven experience in managing the commercial and relationship aspects of technology vendors, including SaaS providers.
• Proven track record of developing and managing performance metrics (SLAs/KPIs) to drive vendor accountability and quality.
• Strong experience in negotiating contracts, pricing, and commercial terms.
• Strong business and financial acumen, with the ability to act as a trusted advisor to internal stakeholders and leadership.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to manage stakeholders at all levels, both internally and externally.
• Demonstrated experience in translating raw data into actionable insights and strategic recommendations.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a data-driven approach to decision-making.
• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.

Preferred:

• Experience managing offshore or BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) vendors in the financial services sector.
• Experience working in a high-growth or rapidly scaling environment.
• Familiarity with common accounting and payroll software and platforms (e.g., QuickBooks Online, Xero, Lacerte, ADP, Tax1099), with direct experience managing vendor relationships for such tools being a strong plus.
• Knowledge of data security standards and financial regulations.
• Professional certification (e.g., Certified Professional in Supply Management - CPSM) is a plus.

Compensation: $90k-$110k

Benefits: Eligibility: Benefits begin on the 1st of the month after 60 days of employment. Company-Paid Benefits: Basic Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability. Optional Benefits: Various medical, dental, vision, and disability insurance options through United Healthcare, as well as Short-Term Disability, Critical Illness, Accident Insurance, Flexible/Dependent Care Spending, Health Savings Accounts, and Pet Insurance. 401K: Available after 6 months of employment with a company match and vesting schedule. Paid Time Off (PTO): Varies for Non-Managers and Managers, along with paid sick time, bereavement leave, and paid company holidays.

Join the team that's revolutionizing small business accounting. 1-800Accountant is not your typical accounting firm. We pride ourselves on fostering work/life balance, offering unparalleled opportunities for internal growth, and embracing innovation. Our team enjoys flexibility, competitive compensation, and access to cutting-edge technology within a fully remote work environment for candidates in the following states: AL, AZ, CT, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, MD, MN, NJ, NY, NC, OR, PA, TN, TX, UT, WA.

At 1-800Accountant, our mission is to make professional tax and accounting services accessible and affordable for small business owners across the nation. We believe every entrepreneur deserves expert financial support—without the traditional high costs. Through innovative technology and personalized service, we're redefining how accounting is done in the digital age.