Tax Director, State & Local Tax

BDO USA, P.C. • San Francisco, CA

1d • $99,750 - $262,500

About The Position

The State & Local Tax Director supports Principals and the broader SALT practice through team development, client relationship management, and business development. In partnership with Principals and Managing Directors, the Director advances practice goals while maintaining high standards of project management, technical thought leadership, and client service.

The role researches state and local tax issues; interprets state-specific statutory, regulatory, and judicial guidance; applies guidance to client facts; and prepares memoranda and matrices documenting tax positions. It oversees SALT compliance and consulting engagements, represents clients before taxing authorities, supports tax provision work, and identifies opportunities to reduce clients’ state and local tax burdens. The Director also develops industry expertise, identifies cross-selling opportunities, leads marketing initiatives, and improves SALT tools and processes.

The position supervises SALT Senior Managers, Managers, and Staff; reviews their work and utilization; manages engagement performance and billing metrics; supports training and professional development; and provides performance feedback and evaluations. BDO describes itself as an ESOP company and notes that the ESOP is part of its comprehensive compensation and Total Rewards offerings; benefits may be subject to eligibility requirements.

Requirements

• Nine or more years of prior SALT experience.
• Prior experience supervising tax professionals on a project or engagement basis.
• Bachelor’s degree required; Accounting or Taxation focus preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Superior analytical and research skills.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to meet project deadlines.
• Ability to multitask and work independently or in a group environment in a deadline-driven setting.
• Ability to manage a team of tax professionals and delegate work assignments.
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with internal and client personnel.
• Ability to foster teamwork and contribute to assigned personnel’s professional development.
• Executive presence and ability to serve as the primary contact on assigned engagements.
• Ability to interact successfully with professionals at all levels.
• Advanced knowledge of applying tax standards to deliver tax services effectively and efficiently.
• Advanced knowledge of sources of information used in tax filings.
• Advanced understanding of the causes and effects of taxable conditions for clients and potential tax issues.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Accounting or Taxation.
• Juris Doctorate.
• Prior experience preparing and/or reviewing tax provisions.
• Prior experience with corporate taxation, consolidations, and partnerships.
• CPA certification or another relevant certification.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel and Word.
• Exposure to and familiarity with standard tax applications and research tools.

Responsibilities

• Research state-specific statutory, regulatory, and judicial guidance and determine when additional research is needed.
• Apply published state guidance to client facts and develop strategies for obtaining clarification, including informal consultations or formal letter ruling requests.
• Prepare memoranda and matrices documenting positions on state tax treatment.
• Partner with Core Tax and Specialized Tax Services professionals to resolve complex state and local tax matters.
• Oversee client compliance with applicable authorities, identify SALT filing obligations, and identify ways to minimize tax and reporting burdens.
• Ensure compliance engagements are filed accurately and on time.
• Identify out-of-scope compliance needs, such as nexus, apportionment, or taxability studies, and communicate the rationale and pricing to stakeholders.
• Handle state and local agency inquiries and tax questions; draft responses to revenue agents and auditors.
• Monitor implementation of tax consulting project work plans and recommend solutions informed by tax and business or industry knowledge.
• Represent clients before state and local taxing authorities on contested tax issues and ensure timely, accurate responses to agency information requests.
• Serve as a SALT subject-matter expert in a chosen industry and as the client relationship professional for SALT services provided to designated clients.
• Identify cross-selling opportunities with other BDO services and develop tools or process improvements to improve SALT service efficiency.
• Review state tax provision workpapers and apply industry standards, firm policies, and BDO Tax Quality Manual requirements to ASC 740 and ASC 450 calculations and accruals.
• Recognize, measure, and document the need for income tax and indirect tax-related accruals.
• Identify, develop, or implement solutions to reduce clients’ state and local tax burdens.
• Participate in relevant industry groups, lead marketing campaigns and external SALT initiatives, and collaborate with Business Development and strategic partners to advance SALT services.
• Supervise and review the day-to-day work product and utilization of SALT Senior Managers, Managers, and Staff on assigned engagements.
• Manage engagements to achieve metrics, including timely billing and DSO below 40 days.
• Ensure SALT team members are trained on relevant tax software.
• Evaluate team members’ performance, support goal-setting and professional development, provide timely feedback, and complete performance evaluations.
• Act as Career Advisor to SALT Senior Managers, Managers, and Staff, as appropriate.
• Perform other duties as required.

Benefits

• ESOP participation through beneficial ownership, described as an opportunity to share in the firm’s success and support financial well-being.
• Comprehensive compensation and Total Rewards benefits offerings; specific benefits are not listed and may be subject to eligibility requirements.

What This Job Offers

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