Financial Services - Tax Controversy - Manager

At EY, we’re committed to shaping your future with confidence. Join us and help build a better working world through a globally connected, diverse team.

About the role

As a Manager in Tax Controversy within EY’s Financial Services Organization (FSO), you will assist clients in managing tax controversies—from risk identification and dispute prevention to litigation and appeals. This role focuses on utilizing EY’s Tax Controversy Framework to guide clients through tax risk assessment, risk management, and audit management. You will work with clients across Banking and Capital Markets, Wealth and Asset Management, Insurance, and Real Estate, Hospitality and Construction.

Responsibilities

• Conduct tax risk assessments to identify and track evolving risks before they escalate into controversies.
• Create risk assessment procedures, a global tax risk register, and implement heat maps to pinpoint 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, including exam management, appeals, mediation, arbitration, and litigation.
• Utilize tax governance activities and technology tools to support the entire tax controversy lifecycle.
• Assist clients with IRS Exam and Appeals Divisions, penalty relief and abatement requests, and 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, applying expertise to interpret internal and external issues and recommend solutions.
• Meet performance objectives in client service, risk management, sales, business growth, and solution development.
• Travel as needed to meet client needs and actively participate in client working sessions.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (4-year) required.
• Minimum of 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 collaborate with both internal and client teams.

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 long-term client relationships and tailoring services to 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.
• Driving continuous process improvement and identifying innovative solutions.
• Leading and supervising teams to deliver complex technical initiatives.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical and dental coverage.
• Pension and 401(k) plans.
• Flexible vacation policy, allowing you to determine your time off based on personal circumstances.
• Designated EY Paid Holidays, Winter/Summer breaks, and Personal/Family Care leave to support well-being.

Pay

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

Schedule

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