From Intern to Tax Supervisor
Nine years ago, Keedysville, MD native, Todd Hershey joined DeLeon & Stang as a Tax Intern. Fresh out of grad school, he found the role through Mount St. Mary’s career center and saw it as the perfect way to learn the business from the ground up — all while staying close to home. He started his career in the Gaithersburg office, preparing individual tax returns.
Becoming a Tax Supervisor
Today, Todd is a Tax Supervisor in the Frederick office. There, he manages the individual client list, trains and mentors interns, and oversees the workflows for 1099 and Personal Property Tax returns. His move into leadership came from raising his hand, consistently stepping up, and saying “yes” to new opportunities.
“It took me a couple of years to find my footing, but I grew my role by volunteering to help wherever possible,” Todd explains. “At D&S, your professional growth is something you can accelerate by being willing to jump in. I identified my strengths and worked with my managers to take on projects that played to them.”
Along the way, Todd had the support of managers and teammates who modeled what it takes to succeed and encouraged him every step of the way. From reworking the intern onboarding process to streamlining tax workflows, his contributions have helped the team work smarter and serve clients more effectively.
Building a Long-Term Career at DeLeon & Stang
Looking ahead, Todd plans to be with DeLeon & Stang for the long run. He’s focused on growing his own book of business while exploring how technology and AI will shape the future of accounting.
“The culture here is what makes all the difference,” he says. “D&S surrounds us with helpful, friendly, and fun employees who give their best every day. Even through leadership transitions, our values have stayed strong. We have the best infrastructure to face the future — and it all starts with putting employees first.”
FAQs
What does a Tax Supervisor do?
A Tax Supervisor in public accounting typically manages client work, reviews tax processes, supports tax compliance, oversees workflows, trains team members, and helps ensure tax returns and related filings are completed accurately and efficiently.
How long does it take to become a Tax Supervisor?
The timeline varies by firm, experience, performance, and professional development path. Many accounting professionals move into supervisory roles after several years of building technical tax knowledge, client service experience, workflow management skills, and leadership responsibilities.
What skills do you develop as a tax professional?
Professionals develop skills in tax preparation, review, and compliance, as well as client communication, workflow management, problem-solving, and leadership. They also learn how to manage deadlines and support clients during and beyond busy tax season.
What does career growth at DeLeon & Stang look like?
Career growth at DeLeon & Stang is supported by a culture that encourages team members every step of the way. Through hands-on experience and internal training, there is always room to learn and take on new responsibilities.
How does DeLeon & Stang support interns and early-career professionals?
DeLeon & Stang supports interns and early-career professionals through hands-on experience, real client work, internal training, and guidance from managers and team members. Interns are encouraged to ask questions, take on new responsibilities, and build confidence as they grow.
How is technology changing tax careers?
Technology and AI are changing tax careers by helping teams streamline workflows, improve efficiency, and better support clients through automation.