Management turmoil at H&R Block escalated this week as CEO Russ Smyth resigned immediately from the role he had held at the tax services company for less than two years. That follows the departure this year of the company's chief financial officer and chief counsel. Block named Alan Bennett, who served as interim CEO in 2007 and 2008, to replace Smyth.

The company said Smyth left to become CEO of a private company in Chicago. That followed Smyth's declaration last month that Block's disappointing tax season was characterized by missed opportunities. Smyth's departure came after the April resignation of CFO Becky Shulman and a late June announcement that chief counsel Brian Woram was leaving.