Indirect Tax Automation Senior Associate, State and Local Tax

Job Summary:

The Senior Associate, STS SALT ITA (Indirect Tax Automation) assists clients by providing advice and services related to the implementation of indirect tax software solutions. The ITA Senior applies her/his business experience and tax technical knowledge to address the client's business objectives related to automation and any associated tax implications. The ITA Senior is responsible for identifying different methods of complying with tax regulations and recommending a course of action that meets the identified business objectives.

Additional responsibilities include applying knowledge to understand potential tax issues and how to automate these needs, evaluate and select alternative solutions to lessen tax burden and cost of compliance, recognize and communicate potential risks, identify potential changes in the tax policy and apply new policies and solutions to tax compliance. This role also serves as primary contact for our clients, as needed, including but not limited to preparing and delivering presentations to clients and potential clients.

Job Duties:

Solution Research:

• Identifies when research is needed to resolve solution issues; frames issues to be researched; analyzes facts; adequately tests the proposed solution; and reports the results
• Demonstrates an in-depth level of understanding of various support documentation and resources available
• Applies firm and professional standards for preparation of supporting research
• Develops and maintains relationships with various indirect tax software vendors; understands how to access and leverage software vendor resources

Solution Consulting:

• Consults on client business requirements for implementing U.S. sales and use tax processes, International VAT processes, and system solutions
• Develops, recommends, and implements methods to maximize client benefits through automated solutions, especially by decreasing clients' current and future tax management processes and tax burden
• Considers the applicability of all state tax consulting sub-specialties for each client, conferring with other STS consultants, when appropriate
• Involves other state tax sub-specialty subject matter experts, when appropriate
• Applies workplans for automated tax solution projects performed for clients
• Develops consultative selling skills
• Assists in managing client expectations
• Communicates with clients to gather information when applicable
• Ensures tax engagement letters are adopted prior to engagement work commencing and manages engagements

Solution Implementation:

• Provides client-facing service to our customers relative to their indirect tax automation needs, including transactional business requirements analysis, tax function optimization, and tax systems implementation
• Communicates on indirect tax matters with client cross-functional teams such as tax, information technology, procurement, order management/billing, and other related teams
• Leads testing, troubleshooting and error resolution relative to ERP and tax system solutions
• Prepares and leads tax technology training sessions aimed at internal and external teams
• Provides hyper-care as needed by our clients during normal and off-hours
• Provides support for marketing and business development (e.g. assist in preparation of customer proposals)
• Assists with engagement administration and client billings
• Manages implementation services efficiently

Strategy Development:

• Introduces and develops new or improved ideas to advance the position of clients, the firm, or firm personnel by reducing taxes or expenses or providing non-tax benefits.
• Reviews tax solution implications and offers client alternative courses of action
• Assists with research of potential tax solution strategies as well as implementation
• Understands documentation associated with tax solution strategies
• Identifies and leverages lessons learned on prior projects and offers input on how to improve
• Suggests marketing approaches for new ideas
• Discusses simple tax solution strategies with client
• Builds client relationships, marketing, networking and business development
• Economically and productively manages projects including billing and accounts receivable responsibilities
• Involves and works with firm specialists when client and proposal work relate to areas in which the firm has specialists
• Organizes and conducts internal CPE training sessions in area of specialization

Other duties as required

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Supervises work assignments of STS SALT ITA Associates, as appropriate
• Provides periodic performance feedback to and participates in the annual performance evaluation for STS SALT ITA Associates, as appropriate
• Acts as a mentor to and assists in the professional development of STS SALT Associates, as appropriate

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree, required
• Master's degree in Accounting/Taxation or CS/MIS, preferred

Experience:

• The ideal candidate will have a mix of software automation and tax technical experience, as addressed below (note that certain items are required)

Software Automation Experience:

• Two (2) or more years of state and local/multistate experience implementing indirect tax software solutions such as Vertex (Series L, Q and/or O), Vertex Returns, Onesource Indirect Tax Determination, AvaTax, SOVOS (formerly Taxware), required
• Two (2) years of experience with ERP systems such as Microsoft, Oracle, PeopleSoft, or SAP relative to the indirect tax function, preferred
• Experience with development languages such as Visual Basic, C#, Java, and SQL, preferred

Tax Technical Experience:

• Three (3) or more years of experience with state and local indirect taxes, preferred
• Experience with the preparation and filing of indirect tax refund claims, and defending the claims in front of state and local tax authorities, preferred
• Experience with state and local tax audit defense services, including meeting and presenting to state and local tax authorities, preferred
• Experience analyzing and applying research related to state and local tax laws and regulations, including applying rules and regulations to client fact patterns, analyzing facts and circumstances, and preparing and communicating SALT advice on specific tax research topic, preferred
• Knowledge and practical experience related to state and local tax nexus rules, preferred
• Knowledge and practical experience related to state and local tax registrations, preferred

License/Certifications:

• Tax software vendor certified (or plans to become certified within one year) or other acceptable qualifications such as CMI, CPA, etc., preferred

Software:

• Proficient in MS Office applications such as Microsoft Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and Visio, preferred

Other Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong analytical and research skills
• Solid organizational skills
• Ability to meet project deadlines with a focus on details
• Ability to successfully multi-task while working independently or within a group environment
• Ability to provide support to the project management function
• Ability to travel from time to time for project work
• Capable of building and maintaining strong relationships with internal and client personnel
• Excellent people development and delegation skills
• Ability to encourage a team environment on engagements
• Executive presence and ability to act as primary contact on assigned engagements
• Basic understanding of tax compliance
• Good understanding of key indirect tax processes and data drivers across multiple industry segments such as energy, healthcare, retail, hospitality, manufacturing, etc.
• Understanding of indirect tax compliance procedures, including managing data used for monthly/quarterly/annual compliance and required filing of indirect tax returns
• Working knowledge of appropriate application of tax standards to ensure effective and efficient delivery of tax services
• Working knowledge of sources of relevant information utilized in designing automated solutions
• Working knowledge and understanding of cause and effect for taxable conditions on clients and the potential tax issues
• Possesses excellent decision-making skills
• Ability to successfully interact with professionals at all levels
• Ability to create functional/technical documentation in support of automated solutions

Individual salaries that are offered to a candidate are determined after consideration of numerous factors including but not limited to the candidate's qualifications, experience, skills, and geography.

National Range: $70,000 - $125,000
Maryland Range: $70,000 - $125,000
NYC/Long Island/Westchester Range: $70,000 - $125,000