Tax Experienced Senior, State and Local Tax

About the role

The Tax Experienced Senior, State and Local Taxation, applies industry knowledge and experience to clients by assisting in providing advice related to tax implications of their business objectives, recommending alternate courses of action, and identifying different methods of complying with tax regulations. Additional responsibilities include understanding potential tax issues, evaluating and selecting alternative actions to lessen tax burden and cost of compliance, recognizing and communicating potential risks, identifying potential changes in tax policy and applying new policies to tax compliance, and assisting in handling routine questions from federal or state agencies. This role also serves as primary contact for clients, including preparing and presenting presentations to clients and potential clients.

Responsibilities

• Research: Identify when research is needed; frame issues to be researched; identify sources of all information including information tending to contradict preferred positions; analyze facts and authorities; and report the analysis. Demonstrate an in-depth level of understanding of various tax authorities. Apply firm and professional standards for preparation of WTA and tax returns. Develop and maintain relationships with in-state and out-of-state Department of Tax (DOT)/Department of Revenue (DOR) personnel.
• Tax Compliance: Ensure clients comply with all applicable authorities, while at the same time minimizing their tax and reporting burdens. Track availability and filing requirements regarding client-related information. Apply tax compliance knowledge with a high degree of accuracy and efficiency. Utilize knowledge of preparation and issues to price services and sell related services. Develop service in accordance with SOX rulings. Ensure tax engagement letters are adopted prior to engagement work commencing and manage engagements. Conduct detailed review of tax returns, and identify basic, complex and advanced issues throughout the engagement. Communicate with clients to gather information when applicable. Prepare and review taxability matrices for client transactions assuring timely review and accuracy of returns.
• Tax Consulting: Develop, recommend, and implement methods to maximize client benefits, especially by decreasing clients’ current and future taxes. Consider the applicability of all state tax consulting sub-specialties for each client, conferring with other tax consultants, when appropriate. Interpret existing and new law and client facts to maximize benefits. Involve other state tax sub-specialty subject matter experts, when appropriate. Apply workplans for tax consulting projects performed for clients. Ensure client service teams comply with firm policy regarding WTA checklist. Develop consultative selling skills. Provide assistance with exam support. Assist in managing client expectations. Inform Core Tax Services leadership of state tax opportunities for clients.
• Tax Controversy: Review assessment notices. Monitor client expectations regarding issues of controversy. Handle routine questions from federal or state agencies with assistance.
• Tax Related Software: Utilize GoSystems, tax research databases and other tax-related software in the completion of assigned tasks. Train staff on all current software tools.
• Tax Specialization: Develop an in-depth understanding of the technical and practical issues and opportunities regarding one or more areas of taxation. Manage specialization services efficiently. Involve and work with firm specialists when client and proposal work related to areas in which the firm has specialists. Organize and conduct internal CPE training sessions in area of specialization.
• Accounting for Income Taxes – SFAS109: Review basic tax provisions ASC740-10. Apply firm policies, standards and BDO Tax Quality Manual regarding FAS 109 and FIN 48. Assist others in learning and applying FAS 109 and FIN 48. Review tax provisions. Communicate with Assurance counterparts to timely plan tax accrual reviews.
• Strategy Development: Introduce and develop 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. Review studies of tax implications and offer client alternative courses of action. Assist with research of potential tax strategies as well as implementation. Understand documentation associated with tax strategies. Identify and leverage lessons learned on prior projects and offer input on how to improve. Suggest marketing approaches for new ideas. Discuss simple tax strategies with client. Build client relationships, marketing, networking and business development. Provide technical client service to multi-state companies with state and local income/franchise tax issues including research, planning, and controversy work. Assist multi-state companies with state and local income/franchise tax planning, consulting, negotiation of settlements, voluntary disclosure agreements and state income/franchise tax audit representation (i.e., protests, refund claims and appeals). Make high-level decisions regarding filing and preparation, and handle questions from federal and state agencies. Economically and productively manage projects including billing and accounts receivable responsibilities. Educate and advise professionals regarding state and local tax law as well as developing their careers.
• Supervisory Responsibilities: Supervise work assignments of SALT Associates, as appropriate. Provide periodic performance feedback to and participate in the annual performance evaluation for SALT Associates, as appropriate. Act as a mentor to and assist in the professional development of SALT Associates, as appropriate.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Master’s degree in Accounting/Taxation or J.D. preferred.
• Three (3) or more years of prior experience in state and local/multistate taxation required.
• CPA certification or other relevant certification preferred.

Skills

• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Excel and Word.
• Ability to use standard tax applications and research tools.
• 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.
• Capable of building and maintaining strong relationships with internal and client personnel.
• Advanced knowledge of all tax return forms.
• 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.
• Ability to successfully interact with professionals at all levels.
• 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 tax filings.
• 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 create written tax advice.
• Basic understanding of the ability to represent the client before any tax authority on contested issues.

Pay

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

• National Range: $74,550 – $147,000
• Maryland Range: $74,550 – $147,000
• NYC/Long Island/Westchester Range: $74,550 – $147,000
• Washington DC Range: $74,550 – $147,000