Tax Director, State & Local Tax

BDO USA•Austin, TX

21h

About The Position

The State & Local Tax Director role is instrumental in supporting Principals and the broader SALT practice through significant contributions to team development, maintaining key client relationships, and business development. The State and Local Tax Director role will drive goals of the practice through partnerships with Principals and Managing Directors and will demonstrate high standards of project management, technical thought leadership, and client-centricity. Join us at BDO, where you will find more than a career, you’ll find a place where your work is impactful, and you are valued for your individuality. We offer flexibility and opportunities for advancement. Our culture is centered around making meaningful connections, approaching interactions with curiosity, and being true to yourself, all while making a positive difference in the world. At BDO, our purpose of helping people thrive every day is at the heart of everything we do. Together, we are focused on delivering exceptional and sustainable outcomes and value for our people, our clients, and our communities. BDO is proud to be an ESOP company, reflecting a culture that puts people first, by sharing financially in our growth in value with our U.S. team. BDO professionals provide assurance, tax and advisory services for a diverse range of clients across the U.S. and in over 160 countries through our global organization. BDO is the first large accounting and advisory organization to implement an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). A qualified retirement plan, the ESOP offers participants a stake in the firm’s success through beneficial ownership and a unique opportunity to enhance their financial well-being. The ESOP stands as a compelling addition to our comprehensive compensation and Total Rewards benefits offerings. The annual allocation to the ESOP is fully funded by BDO through investments in company stock and grants employees the chance to grow their wealth over time as their shares vest and grow in value with the firm’s success, with no employee contributions. We are committed to delivering exceptional experiences to middle market leaders by sharing insight-driven perspectives, helping companies take business as usual to better than usual. With industry knowledge and experience, a breadth and depth of resources, and unwavering commitment to quality, we pride ourselves on: Welcoming diverse perspectives and understanding the experience of our professionals and clients Empowering team members to explore their full potential Our talented team who brings varying skills, knowledge and experience to proactively help our clients navigate an expanding array of complex challenges and opportunities Celebrating ingenuity and innovation to transform our business and help our clients transform theirs Focus on resilience and sustainability to positively impact our people, clients, and communities

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required, focus in Accounting or Taxation, preferred
Nine (9) or more years of prior SALT experience, required
Prior experience supervising tax professionals on a project or engagement basis, required
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Superior analytical and research skills
Solid organizational skills, especially the 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 work in a deadline-driven environment and handle multiple projects simultaneously
Capable of effectively managing a team of tax professionals, and delegating work assignments, as needed
Capacity to build and maintain strong relationships with internal and client personnel
Ability to encourage team environment on engagements, and contribute to the professional development of assigned personnel
Executive presence and ability to act as primary contact on assigned engagements
Ability to successfully interact with professionals at all levels
Advanced knowledge of appropriate application of tax standards to ensure effective and efficient delivery of tax services
Advanced knowledge of sources of relevant information utilized in tax filings
Advanced knowledge and understanding of cause/effect for taxable conditions on clients and the potential tax issues

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Accounting or Taxation, preferred
Juris Doctorate, preferred
Prior experience preparing and/or reviewing tax provisions high, preferred
Prior experience with corporate taxation, consolidations and partnerships, preferred
CPA certification or other relevant certification, preferred
Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Excel and Word, preferred
Exposure to and familiarity with standard tax applications and research tools, preferred

Responsibilities

Identifies situations necessitating the need for additional research, and performs appropriate review of state specific statutory, regulatory and judicial guidance on the identified issue
Analyzes and applies client specific facts to published state guidance and determines where additional outreach is needed and develops a strategy for obtaining clarification where needed (e.g., informal consults with state taxing authority, formal letter ruling request, etc.)
Prepares formal memoranda/matrices formalizing positions relative to state tax treatment
Partners with other Core Tax and Specialized Tax Services professionals to resolve complex and contentious state and local tax matters
Ensures clients comply with applicable authorities while identifying filing obligations in all areas of SALT as well as options for minimizing the client’s tax and reporting burdens
Ensures timely and accurate filing of compliance engagements
Identifies out of scope compliance areas in need of additional workstreams (e.g., nexus study, apportionment study, taxability study, etc.) and is able to communicate effectively to stakeholders relative to pricing and need
Handles all state and local agency inquiries regarding all tax issues and questions
Drafts responses to revenue agent/auditor questions and challenges
Monitors implementations of work plans for tax consulting projects
Provides recommended solutions by combining tax knowledge and knowledge of business / industry
Represents clients before state and local taxing authorities on contested tax issues
Responds to all questions from state agencies
Ensures accurate and timely response to tax information requests
Acts as an industry expert in chosen industry to be a SALT subject matter expert in that industry
Identifies cross-selling opportunities with other BDO services
Acts as client relationship professional for SALT services provided to designated clients
Develops tools and/or process improvements which allow for enhanced efficiency of SALT specific services
Reviews state tax provision workpapers
Understands and applies industry standards, along with firm policies and BDO Tax Quality Manual requirements as they relate to ASC740 and ASC450 calculations and accruals
Recognizes, measures and documents the need for income tax and indirect tax related accruals
Identifies, develops or implements solutions which reduce a client’s State and Local Tax burden
Participates in relevant industry groups
Leads marketing campaigns and external SALT initiatives
Collaborates with Business Development team and other strategic parties to drive SALT service offerings
Supervises and reviews the day-to-day work product and utilization of STS SALT Senior Managers, Managers and Staff on assigned engagements
Manages engagements to ensure engagement metrics are achieved including timely billing and DSO below 40 days
Ensures STS SALT Senior Managers, Managers and Staff are trained on all relevant tax software
Evaluates the performance of STS SALT Senior Managers, Managers and Staff, and assists in the development of goals and objectives to enhance professional development
Delivers timely performance feedback, and completes performance evaluations for STS SALT Senior Managers, Managers and Staff
Acts as Career Advisor to STS SALT Senior Managers, Managers and Staff, as appropriate