Senior Associate, STS SALT ITA

BDO USA•Philadelphia, PA

About The Position

Job Summary: The Senior Associate, STS SALT ITA (Indirect Tax Automation) assists clients by providing advice and services related to the implementation of indirect tax software solutions. The ITA Senior applies her/his business experience and tax technical knowledge to address the client’s business objectives related to automation and any associated tax implications. The ITA Senior is responsible for identifying different methods of complying with tax regulations and recommending a course of action that meets the identified business objectives. Additional responsibilities include applying knowledge to understand potential tax issues and how to automate these needs, evaluate and select alternative solutions to lessen tax burden and cost of compliance, recognize and communicate potential risks, identify potential changes in the tax policy and apply new policies and solutions to tax compliance. This role also serves as primary contact for our clients, as needed, including but not limited to preparing and delivering presentations to clients and potential clients. Job Duties: Solution Research: Identifies when research is needed to resolve solution issues; frames issues to be researched; analyzes facts; adequately tests the proposed solution; and reports the results Demonstrates an in-depth level of understanding of various support documentation and resources available Applies firm and professional standards for preparation of supporting research Develops and maintains relationships with various indirect tax software vendors; understands how to access and leverage software vendor resources Solution Consulting: Consults on client business requirements for implementing U.S. sales and use tax processes, International VAT processes, and system solutions Develops, recommends, and implements methods to maximize client benefits through automated solutions, especially by decreasing clients’ current and future tax management processes and tax burden Considers the applicability of all state tax consulting sub-specialties for each client, conferring with other STS consultants, when appropriate Involves other state tax sub-specialty subject matter experts, when appropriate Applies workplans for automated tax solution projects performed for clients Develops consultative selling skills Assists in managing client expectations Communicates with clients to gather information when applicable Ensures tax engagement letters are adopted prior to engagement work commencing and manages engagements Solution Implementation: Provides client-facing service to our customers relative to their indirect tax automation needs, including transactional business requirements analysis, tax function optimization, and tax systems implementation Communicates on indirect tax matters with client cross-functional teams such as tax, information technology, procurement, order management/billing, and other related teams Leads testing, troubleshooting and error resolution relative to ERP and tax system solutions Prepares and leads tax technology training sessions aimed at internal and external teams Provides hyper-care as needed by our clients during normal and off-hours Provides support for marketing and business development (e.g. assist in preparation of customer proposals) Assists with engagement administration and client billings Manages implementation services efficiently Strategy Development: Introduces and develops 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. Reviews tax solution implications and offers client alternative courses of action Assists with research of potential tax solution strategies as well as implementation Understands documentation associated with tax solution strategies Identifies and leverages lessons learned on prior projects and offers input on how to improve Suggests marketing approaches for new ideas Discusses simple tax solution strategies with client Builds client relationships, marketing, networking and business development Economically and productively manages projects including billing and accounts receivable responsibilities Involves and works with firm specialists when client and proposal work relate to areas in which the firm has specialists Organizes and conducts internal CPE training sessions in area of specialization Other duties as required Supervisory Responsibilities: Supervises work assignments of STS SALT ITA Associates, as appropriate Provides periodic performance feedback to and participates in the annual performance evaluation for STS SALT ITA Associates, as appropriate Acts as a mentor to and assists in the professional development of STS SALT Associates, as appropriate

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree, required
Two (2) or more years of state and local/multistate experience implementing indirect tax software solutions such as Vertex (Series L, Q and/or O), Vertex Returns, Onesource Indirect Tax Determination, AvaTax, SOVOS (formerly Taxware), required
Three (3) or more years of experience with state and local indirect taxes, preferred
Proficient in MS Office applications such as Microsoft Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and Visio, preferred
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
Ability to provide support to the project management function
Ability to travel from time to time for project work
Capable of building and maintaining strong relationships with internal and client personnel
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
Good understanding of key indirect tax processes and data drivers across multiple industry segments such as energy, healthcare, retail, hospitality, manufacturing, etc.
Understanding of indirect tax compliance procedures, including managing data used for monthly/quarterly/annual compliance and required filing of indirect tax returns
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 designing automated solutions
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 successfully interact with professionals at all levels
Ability to create functional/technical documentation in support of automated solutions

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Accounting/Taxation or CS/MIS, preferred
Two (2) years of experience with ERP systems such as Microsoft, Oracle, PeopleSoft, or SAP relative to the indirect tax function, preferred
Experience with development languages such as Visual Basic, C#, Java, and SQL, preferred
Experience with the preparation and filing of indirect tax refund claims, and defending the claims in front of state and local tax authorities, preferred
Experience with state and local tax audit defense services, including meeting and presenting to state and local tax authorities, preferred
Experience analyzing and applying research related to state and local tax laws and regulations, including applying rules and regulations to client fact patterns, analyzing facts and circumstances, and preparing and communicating SALT advice on specific tax research topic, preferred
Knowledge and practical experience related to state and local tax nexus rules, preferred
Knowledge and practical experience related to state and local tax registrations, preferred
Tax software vendor certified (or plans to become certified within one year) or other acceptable qualifications such as CMI, CPA, etc., preferred

Responsibilities

Identifies when research is needed to resolve solution issues; frames issues to be researched; analyzes facts; adequately tests the proposed solution; and reports the results
Demonstrates an in-depth level of understanding of various support documentation and resources available
Applies firm and professional standards for preparation of supporting research
Develops and maintains relationships with various indirect tax software vendors; understands how to access and leverage software vendor resources
Consults on client business requirements for implementing U.S. sales and use tax processes, International VAT processes, and system solutions
Develops, recommends, and implements methods to maximize client benefits through automated solutions, especially by decreasing clients’ current and future tax management processes and tax burden
Considers the applicability of all state tax consulting sub-specialties for each client, conferring with other STS consultants, when appropriate
Involves other state tax sub-specialty subject matter experts, when appropriate
Applies workplans for automated tax solution projects performed for clients
Develops consultative selling skills
Assists in managing client expectations
Communicates with clients to gather information when applicable
Ensures tax engagement letters are adopted prior to engagement work commencing and manages engagements
Provides client-facing service to our customers relative to their indirect tax automation needs, including transactional business requirements analysis, tax function optimization, and tax systems implementation
Communicates on indirect tax matters with client cross-functional teams such as tax, information technology, procurement, order management/billing, and other related teams
Leads testing, troubleshooting and error resolution relative to ERP and tax system solutions
Prepares and leads tax technology training sessions aimed at internal and external teams
Provides hyper-care as needed by our clients during normal and off-hours
Provides support for marketing and business development (e.g. assist in preparation of customer proposals)
Assists with engagement administration and client billings
Manages implementation services efficiently
Introduces and develops 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.
Reviews tax solution implications and offers client alternative courses of action
Assists with research of potential tax solution strategies as well as implementation
Understands documentation associated with tax solution strategies
Identifies and leverages lessons learned on prior projects and offers input on how to improve
Suggests marketing approaches for new ideas
Discusses simple tax solution strategies with client
Builds client relationships, marketing, networking and business development
Economically and productively manages projects including billing and accounts receivable responsibilities
Involves and works with firm specialists when client and proposal work relate to areas in which the firm has specialists
Organizes and conducts internal CPE training sessions in area of specialization
Supervises work assignments of STS SALT ITA Associates, as appropriate
Provides periodic performance feedback to and participates in the annual performance evaluation for STS SALT ITA Associates, as appropriate
Acts as a mentor to and assists in the professional development of STS SALT Associates, as appropriate
Other duties as required