26-730.B - Sr. Sales Tax Accountant

Hilcorp•Houston, TX

About The Position

The Senior Sales Tax Accountant supports the Company’s sales and use, motor fuels, and excise tax functions across multiple states and legal entities. The role manages assigned compliance responsibilities, researches and analyzes complex tax issues, supports audits and refund opportunities, and provides tax guidance to internal business groups. It also helps identify tax risks and savings opportunities, improve processes and controls, and ensure compliance with applicable state and local tax laws and regulations. The position works with Accounting, Accounts Payable, Operations, field personnel, other Tax Department colleagues, taxing authorities, and external advisors. It analyzes transactional and operational data, maintains tax rates and system rules, supports controversy matters, and assists with process improvements, automation, special projects, and training. The role is expected to adapt as business needs and department priorities evolve, while contributing to an accountable, collaborative, and team-oriented work environment.

Requirements

At least five years of experience in sales and use tax or indirect tax.
Strong knowledge of state and local sales and use tax laws and regulations, particularly Texas.
Experience supporting state and local tax audits, including audit defense, transaction analysis, development of tax positions, and interaction with taxing authorities.
Experience with indirect tax compliance, tax research, planning, refund opportunities, and tax controversy matters.
Experience analyzing tax implications of oil and gas operational activities, including drilling, completions, production, facilities, equipment, and services.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to analyze large volumes of transactional and operational data and develop practical solutions.
Business acumen and ability to understand operational activities and translate them into appropriate tax treatment.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex tax and operational matters to tax and non-tax personnel.
Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills and ability to maintain effective working relationships across departments, with field personnel, taxing authorities, and external advisors.
Ability to manage multiple assignments and competing priorities independently while meeting deadlines.
Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to maintain accurate, well-supported documentation.
Proactive, achievement-oriented, and willing to take ownership and contribute to the Tax Department’s success.
Ability to collaborate, support teammates, share knowledge, and adapt to changing priorities.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year university or college in accounting, finance, or a closely related field.

Nice To Haves

Experience in the oil and gas industry, preferably including upstream, midstream, and/or oilfield services operations.
Experience with motor fuels and excise taxes.
Advanced Excel skills.
Certified Member of the Institute (CMI) certification.

Responsibilities

Manage sales and use, motor fuels, and excise tax compliance across multiple states and legal entities, including preparing, reviewing, reconciling, and timely filing tax returns.
Research and interpret state and local tax laws and regulations, particularly as they apply to upstream oil and gas operations.
Review purchase and operational transactions to determine tax treatment and identify exposures, exemptions, or overpayments.
Provide tax guidance to Accounting, Accounts Payable, Operations, and other business groups on purchases, services, equipment, fuel usage, and operational activities.
Support tax audits by gathering documentation, analyzing transactions, preparing workpapers, responding to auditor requests, and assisting with tax positions.
Identify and pursue tax savings and refunds through transaction analysis, exemption reviews, refund claims, and supporting documentation.
Assist with tax controversy matters by researching technical issues, developing factual support, preparing responses, and coordinating with taxing authorities and outside advisors.
Monitor legislative, regulatory, and administrative developments and evaluate their potential impacts on operations and tax obligations.
Review and maintain tax rates, tax codes, exemption information, and system tax determination rules.
Analyze transactional and operational data using SAP, Excel, and other tax or reporting systems to identify errors, trends, exposures, and opportunities.
Perform tax account reconciliations and investigate differences between returns, general ledger accounts, tax accruals, and transaction data.
Assist with motor fuel and excise tax determinations involving fuel purchases, consumption, exemptions, taxable uses, and reporting requirements.
Partner with field and operational personnel to understand fuel, equipment, and service usage and determine appropriate tax treatment.
Develop and maintain procedures, documentation, and internal controls for sales and use, motor fuel, and excise tax processes.
Assist with process improvements, system enhancements, and automation initiatives to improve tax accuracy and efficiency.
Review other team members’ work and provide guidance on compliance, taxability, research, and technical issues.
Assist with training and development of less-experienced tax staff.
Participate in projects involving acquisitions, new operations, new entities, system changes, tax planning, and other business initiatives.
Identify opportunities to reduce tax risk, recover overpayments, improve processes, strengthen controls, increase efficiency, and enhance work quality.
Support team members with compliance, audits, research, special projects, and other priorities.
Collaborate across the Tax Department, share knowledge and best practices, and help resolve issues and improve team performance.
Maintain flexibility as responsibilities and department priorities change.
Adhere to company values, support the company vision and mission, follow work schedule and attendance standards, maintain confidentiality, and perform other duties as assigned.
Communicate effectively, take ownership, remain professional in challenging situations, and contribute to a positive team environment.