Sales and Use Tax Senior Manager, State and Local Tax

BDO USA•Atlanta, GA

About The Position

The Tax Senior Manager, State and Local Tax – Sales & Use Tax advises clients on the sales and use tax implications of their business objectives, recommends alternative courses of action, and identifies methods for complying with sales and use tax statutes and regulations. The role includes marketing, networking, and business development within the area of sales and use tax, recognizing changes in tax policy, and applying new policies to tax compliance. The Senior Manager works with the National Sales and Use Tax team, Tax Partners, Directors, and Senior Managers to provide sales and use tax expertise to clients. The position handles complex sales and use tax research, compliance reviews, consulting, controversy matters, and strategy development. It reviews returns and company compliance processes; prepares research reports, tax memorandums, opinions, and other documentation; supports client examinations and represents clients before tax authorities; and uses tax research databases and related software. The role also manages engagements and client expectations, develops tax strategies, and works on settlements and voluntary disclosure agreements. The Senior Manager supervises and develops SALT Managers, Senior Associates, Associates, and Interns. Responsibilities include reviewing work, overseeing training on relevant tax software, evaluating performance, setting development goals, providing feedback, conducting performance evaluations, and serving as a Career Advisor where appropriate.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or another relevant field.
Eight or more years of prior state and local or multistate experience.
Prior experience supervising tax professionals on a project or engagement basis.
Significant experience in business development and marketing of sales and use tax engagements.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Superior analytical and research skills.
Solid organizational skills, including the ability to meet project deadlines with attention to detail.
Ability to multitask independently and in a group environment.
Ability to work in a deadline-driven environment and handle multiple projects simultaneously.
Ability to manage a team of tax professionals effectively and delegate work assignments.
Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with internal and client personnel.
Ability to foster teamwork on engagements and contribute to assigned personnel’s professional development.
Executive presence and ability to act as the primary contact on assigned engagements.
Ability to interact successfully with professionals at all levels.
Advanced knowledge of applying tax standards to deliver sales and use tax services effectively and efficiently.
Advanced knowledge of information sources used in sales and use tax filings.
Advanced knowledge and understanding of the causes and effects of taxable conditions for clients and potential sales and use tax issues.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Accounting or Taxation, or a J.D.
Prior experience preparing and/or reviewing tax provisions.
CPA certification or another relevant certification.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel and Word.
Exposure to and familiarity with standard tax applications and research tools.

Responsibilities

Identify complex sales and use tax situations requiring research, outline the issues, and identify appropriate research sources.
Analyze research findings and prepare detailed reports or taxability matrices.
Develop relationships with in-state and out-of-state Department of Tax and Department of Revenue personnel.
Review sales and use tax returns and identify significant tax issues.
Evaluate clients’ compliance processes and recommend customized or automated solutions for reporting sales and use tax obligations.
Draft tax memorandums, tax opinions, and other documentation on sales and use tax issues.
Review client operations to determine the states in which sales and use tax returns should be filed.
Review client records for resale and exemption certificates and develop procedures for retaining them.
Apply relevant state tax consulting specialties and consult other professionals when appropriate.
Ensure engagement letters are adopted before work begins and manage engagements.
Assist in developing consultative sales and use tax strategies and manage assigned client expectations.
Draft responses to notices from state taxing authorities, represent clients before tax authorities on contested issues, and provide examination support.
Use sales and use tax research databases and related software to complete assigned work.
Provide technical client service to multistate companies and negotiate settlements and voluntary disclosure agreements on sales and use tax matters.
Apply industry standards, firm policies, and BDO Tax Quality Manual requirements relating to ASC 450/FAS 5 sales and use tax contingencies.
Review studies of sales and use tax implications and identify alternative courses of action that benefit clients.
Develop ideas and research strategies to improve client positions through tax or expense reductions or non-tax benefits.
Suggest marketing approaches for new client acquisition and conduct business development and marketing for sales and use tax engagements.
Supervise the day-to-day workload of SALT Managers, Senior Associates, and Associates on assigned engagements and review their work.
Ensure SALT Managers, Senior Associates, Associates, and Interns are trained on relevant tax software.
Evaluate staff performance, help develop goals and objectives, provide periodic feedback, and complete performance evaluations.
Act as a Career Advisor to SALT Managers, Senior Associates, and Associates as appropriate.
Perform other duties as required.