About the position
The Lead Tax Accountant plays a critical role in managing Benco's state and local tax compliance, with a strong focus on sales and use tax. This role requires deep expertise in tax regulations, Benco's systems and processes, and cross-functional collaboration. The Lead will guide and mentor tax staff and interns, oversee audit readiness, maintain the Vertex tax engine and product tax matrix, and support corporate tax compliance. The ideal candidate will bring expertise in Vertex O Series (including Returns), and be highly proficient in SQL, Excel, and Vertex Reporting to support data-driven decision-making and automation. This role actively identifies and resolves operational issues, leads process improvements, and drives team productivity. The Lead also monitors performance, escalates concerns when necessary, and serves as backup to the Director of Tax during absences.
Responsibilities
- Leads, trains, and supports staff accountant and interns. Serves as first-line contact for teams questions and concerns.
- Monitors team work flow and performance and escalates team performance as needed to Director of Tax.
- Actively identifies issues for the team including the research of potential risk areas to the company and proposes solutions.
- Proactively identifies opportunities for efficiency and leads the improvement of processes (RPA, AI, etc.)
- Ensures compliance with all state and local tax and licensing for all jurisdictions in which Benco operates, with particular emphasis on state and local sales taxes compliance; maintaining sales tax engine, TAID, and product tax matrix; leading sales tax audits, etc.
- Cooperatively works with TIS to ensure integrity of ERP systems related to the determination, assessment, billing and reporting of sales tax data. Assures integrity of sales tax calculation within Vertex & Prelude.
- Leads the design and enhancement of Vertex O Series tax configuration, return preparation processes, and reporting tools to improve accuracy and compliance.
- Builds advanced queries using SQL and extracts data from Vertex Reporting, ERP, and other systems to analyze trends, audit risks, and improve tax data integrity.
- Serves as backup to Director of Tax during absences.
- Performs corporate tax function as required by Director of Tax.
- Manages large projects independently.
- Provides strategic guidance to Department Leaders.
Requirements
- Local to Pittston, PA for onsite work
- Bachelor's Degree in Accounting/Tax required
- 7-9 years of experience influencing business decisions required
Nice-to-haves
- Proficiency in data analytics, including expert-level use of Excel (pivot tables, lookups, macros)
- Experience with SQL
- Microsoft Office experience
- ERP experience a plus (Prelude/Infor)
Benefits
- Excellent Compensation Packages
- Medical, Dental and Vision Benefits Effective on Day 1
- 401k Package Effective on Day 1
- Paid Time Off Program
- Profit Sharing
- Hybrid Working Environment
- Associate Discounts and Community Giveback Programs
- College Tuition Savings Program
- Caring Family Culture Toward all Associates
- Certified as a FORTUNE Great Place to Work
- Opportunities to join resource groups that promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
