Senior Tax Associate

Cornell University • Ithaca, MI

1d • $93,745 - $114,577 • Remote

About The Position

The Senior Tax Associate supports the institution’s tax compliance reporting and related advisory to the campus community, as well as administrative and accounting matters related to federal, state, local, and international tax laws and regulations. This role is responsible for ensuring timely preparation, submission, and payment of tax returns for the University and certain affiliates. The position also involves supporting specific transactions for payroll, accounting, and other University departments, and providing guidance to DFS Tax and Payroll staff. The Senior Tax Associate will assist the Assistant Tax Director with tax reporting compliance and strategy, including researching and interpreting legislative tax developments. Key responsibilities include reviewing University activities for potential unrelated business activities, advising departments on tax consequences of new activities, monitoring international activities and foreign tax reporting, and reviewing the University accounting system, contracts, and transactions for tax considerations. The role also involves coordinating responses to tax information requests, providing training on tax and regulatory issues, and assisting with tax audits and settlement negotiations. Additionally, the Senior Tax Associate will advise the international faculty/student population on U.S. income and employment tax withholding and reporting requirements, and the application of tax treaty benefits. The position requires supporting the University’s global tax compliance efforts with limited supervision, gathering and analyzing tax reporting data, preparing tax returns and workpapers, managing tax notices, and performing independent tax research. The Senior Tax Associate may also oversee the work of Tax Analysts and Tax Assistants/Associates.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in federal, state, and local tax compliance.
• At least 5 years of experience preparing tax returns and related filings or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience reading, interpreting, and analyzing tax laws, regulations, and tax return instructions.
• Proven ability to analyze complex data and apply applicable tax laws and regulations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including faculty, staff, students, tax authorities, and the public.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, exercising sound judgment and initiative to prioritize and resolve issues in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as part of a team; flexible, well-organized, and able to perform under pressure.
• Ability to manage both institution-wide projects and complex individual assignments while meeting established deadlines.
• Proven ability to manage multiple competing priorities and deadlines effectively.
• Demonstrated discretion, tact, and sound judgment in handling highly sensitive and confidential information.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify issues and implement timely, effective solutions.
• Willingness to identify and implement process improvements and efficiencies.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development in response to evolving tax laws and regulations.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Nice To Haves

• JD, MBA, or MS with a concentration in Taxation
• CPA designation preferred
• Demonstrated experience in one or more of the following areas: Federal and/or state taxation of not-for-profit organizations and related issues, State income and indirect taxes, Assisting with federal and/or state tax audits
• Experience within a major public accounting firm serving higher education or non-profit clients, or in-house experience on a non-profit tax team

Responsibilities

• Support the preparation, submission, and payment of all University and certain affiliates' tax returns on a timely basis.
• Provide support for specific transactions and/or circumstances for payroll, accounting, and other University departments.
• Assist with providing guidance to DFS Tax and Payroll staff on tax-related activities.
• Support the Assistant Tax Director with tax reporting compliance and strategy, including researching, monitoring, and interpreting current and proposed legislative tax developments, regulations, court cases, and issues related to colleges and universities.
• Assist in reviewing and monitoring University activities for potential unrelated business activities to ensure compliance with tax regulations.
• Assist in researching and advising departments on tax consequences of new and proposed activities, including unrelated business income, nonresident alien, employment reporting, and withholding issues.
• Provide support for monitoring the University’s activity outside the U.S. and foreign tax reporting responsibilities.
• Assist in reviewing the University accounting system, contracts, and transactions to identify and advise on tax considerations.
• Assist with coordinating and responding to tax-related information requests from internal and external parties.
• Assist with providing training to the campus, business service center staff, and financial administrative staff concerning tax and other related regulatory and policy issues.
• Assist with tax audits and tax settlement negotiations.
• Assist with providing advice to international faculty/student population, visiting researchers, and guest lecturers, including guidance on U.S. income and employment tax withholding and reporting requirements for payments made to non-resident aliens, and the application of tax treaty benefits.
• Gather tax reporting data, enter or compile tax data into tax preparation software, files, or documents, analyze data, and perform reconciliations of Tax Office accounts.
• Prepare assigned university tax returns, which may include U.S. and non-U.S. income and indirect tax returns, workpapers, supporting schedules, and similar documents.
• Manage and ensure timely responses to emails and phone calls received directly or through central university communications methods.
• Manage the receipt, analysis, and response to tax notices received by the university.
• Submit university tax filings and respond to inquiries.
• Independently perform tax research tasks, including reading, analyzing, and applying tax return instructions, laws, and regulations and conveying those findings to other Tax Office team members, documenting those findings in writing or email or conveying those findings to the university community or external parties.
• May be asked or permitted to assign or oversee the work product of Tax Analysts and Tax Assistants/Associates and may be responsible for first-level review of the work product of these team members.

Benefits

• Educational benefits
• Access to a plethora of wellness programs
• Employee discounts with local and national retail brands
• Health care options to choose from
• Generous paid leave provisions: 3 weeks of vacation
• 14 university paid holidays (including end of year winter break through New Year’s Day)
• Superior retirement contributions

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior