Senior Tax Accountant

This role is an integral member of the Southern Company Services (SCS) Corporate Tax team and reports to the Income Tax Forecasting & Accounting Manager.

About the role

The Senior Tax Accountant’s primary responsibility is supporting the monthly income tax provision process for Southern Company’s unregulated businesses. The position prepares and reviews income tax calculations, journal entries, reconciliations, tax analyses, and financial reporting deliverables while partnering with internal and external stakeholders to ensure accurate and timely reporting.

The ideal candidate will bring strong technical tax accounting knowledge, sound judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to execute established processes by leveraging prior-year workpapers, collaborating with colleagues, and applying professional experience in an environment where formal written procedures may be limited.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and support the monthly income tax provision process for assigned unregulated companies, including tax journal entries, current and deferred tax calculations, and detailed account analyses.
• Prepare monthly and quarterly tax reporting schedules and supporting financial reporting deliverables that summarize key income tax balances, drivers, and changes in tax positions.
• Perform and review monthly and quarterly account reconciliations, tax analytics, and variance explanations to support accurate financial reporting and timely issue resolution.
• Support ad hoc analyses, special projects, and research related to emerging tax accounting matters affecting assigned unregulated businesses.
• Research, analyze, and help resolve tax accounting issues, business transactions, and other matters affecting the tax provision process.
• Document, maintain, and improve tax provision processes, controls, and supporting workpapers to enhance efficiency, standardization, and audit readiness.
• Prepare, coordinate, and review responses to internal and external auditor requests and other information requests, ensuring timely, accurate, and well-supported deliverables.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field required.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation preferred.
• Minimum of 2 years of relevant professional experience in income tax accounting and/or tax reporting required.
• Public accounting and/or large corporate tax department experience preferred, including experience with income tax accounting processes and workpapers.
• Experience with tax provision software (e.g., Power Plan tax provision), ERP systems (Oracle, PeopleSoft, SAP), and advanced Excel-based analysis preferred.

Skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret financial data, identify issues, and develop practical solutions in a complex tax environment.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, exercise sound judgment, and deliver high-quality work in a timely manner with minimal supervisory guidance.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical tax matters clearly and work effectively with stakeholders across departments.
• Demonstrated ability to quickly identify process improvement opportunities, strengthen controls, and rapidly learn and apply accounting and tax technology concepts to support and implement efficient, reliable tax reporting processes.
• Ability to execute established processes by referencing prior-year workpapers, asking thoughtful questions, and collaborating effectively in an environment where procedures may not always be fully documented.
• High attention to detail, accountability, and commitment to producing accurate, well-supported work in a deadline-driven environment.

About Southern Company

Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is a leading energy provider serving 9 million customers across the Southeast and beyond through its family of companies. The company has electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company, a leading distributed energy solutions provider with national capabilities, a fiber optics network, and telecommunications services.

Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, resilience, and sustainability, Southern Company is taking action to meet customers' and communities' needs while advancing its goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The company’s uncompromising values ensure it puts the needs of those it serves at the center of everything it does and are the key to its sustained success. Southern Company’s corporate culture has been recognized by a variety of organizations, earning awards and recognitions that reflect its values and dedication to service.

Benefits

Southern Company invests in the well-being of its employees and their families through a comprehensive total rewards strategy that includes:

• Competitive base salary.
• Annual incentive awards for eligible employees.
• Health, welfare, and retirement benefits designed to support physical, financial, and emotional/social well-being.
• Eligibility for additional compensation, such as an incentive program, with the amount of any bonus/awards subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable incentive plan(s).

Additional and specific details about total compensation and benefits will be provided during the hiring process. A summary of benefits can be found here.

Southern Company is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant's qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by law.