Financial Services - Tax Controversy - Manager

About the role

EY is a leader in serving the global financial services marketplace through our dedicated Financial Services Organization (FSO). As a Manager in Tax Controversy, you will assist clients in responding to and managing tax controversies—from risk identification, to dispute prevention, through to litigation and appeals. You will utilize EY’s Tax Controversy Framework across all phases of tax risk assessment, tax risk management, and tax audit management.

Responsibilities

• Conduct tax risk assessments to identify and track evolving risks before they arise.
• Create risk assessment procedures, a global tax risk register, and implement heat maps to identify specific pain points.
• Support clients in devising comprehensive risk management strategies, validating tax controls, improving documentation, and using dispute prevention tools.
• Manage tax audit processes through exam management, appeals, mediation, arbitration, and litigation.
• Utilize tax governance activities and technology tools to support the overall tax controversy lifecycle.
• Assist clients before the IRS Exam and Appeals Divisions, handle penalty relief and abatement requests, and advise on Alternative Dispute Resolution.
• Deliver complex technical initiatives, ensuring quality and effective risk management.
• Drive continuous process improvement and identify innovative solutions through research and analysis.
• Guide and supervise teams to meet performance objectives in client service, risk management, sales, and business growth.
• Regular travel may be required to meet client needs, with active participation in client working sessions.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (4-year degree) required.
• Minimum 4–6 years of relevant experience in government or a professional tax organization dealing with controversy matters.
• Licensed attorney or CPA.
• Excellent collaboration and negotiation skills, with the confidence to challenge senior colleagues and stakeholders.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to adapt your work style to work with both internal and client team members.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading workstream delivery and tracking project status.
• Ability to implement resource plans and budgets for complex initiatives.
• Experience managing engagement economics and identifying opportunities for additional services.
• Exposure to leading RFP responses and participating in client working sessions.

Skills

• Researching tax issues to develop effective tax resolution strategies.
• Translating complex data into client-ready insights and deliverables.
• Building effective long-term relationships with clients and understanding their unique needs.
• Communicating complex tax issues to non-tax professionals and clients.
• Managing and delivering processes, solutions, and projects with a focus on quality and risk management.

Benefits

• Comprehensive compensation and benefits package, including medical, dental, pension, and 401(k) plans.
• Flexible vacation policy, allowing you to decide how much vacation time you need.
• Paid time off for designated EY Paid Holidays, Winter/Summer breaks, Personal/Family Care, and other leaves of absence.

Pay

The base salary range for this job in most geographic locations in the US is $103,600 to $189,900. The base salary range for New York City Metro Area, Washington State, and California (excluding Sacramento) is $124,300 to $215,800. Individual salaries are determined by factors including education, experience, knowledge, skills, and geography.

Schedule

EY operates in a team-led and leader-enabled hybrid model. Most people in external, client-serving roles are expected to work together in person 60% of the time over the course of an engagement, project, or year.