Tax Director, State & Local Tax

BDO USA•Miami, FL

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 and brings strong project management, technical thought leadership, and client-centric service to engagements. The role covers SALT research, compliance, consulting, controversy, industry specialization, and accounting for income taxes. It involves researching and applying state-specific guidance to client facts, preparing memoranda and other documentation, managing compliance obligations and consulting work, representing clients before state and local taxing authorities, and reviewing state tax provision workpapers. The Director also identifies opportunities to reduce clients’ state and local tax burdens, develop SALT service offerings, and improve service efficiency. The Director supervises SALT Senior Managers, Managers, and Staff on assigned engagements, including reviewing work, monitoring engagement metrics, supporting training and professional development, evaluating performance, and providing feedback.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required, with a focus in Accounting or Taxation preferred.
Nine 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, including attention to detail and the ability to meet project deadlines.
Ability to multitask successfully while working independently or in a group environment.
Ability to work in a deadline-driven environment and handle multiple projects simultaneously.
Ability to manage a team of tax professionals and delegate work assignments as needed.
Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with internal and client personnel.
Ability to foster a team environment on engagements and contribute to assigned personnel’s professional development.
Executive presence and ability to act 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 relevant information used in tax filings.
Advanced knowledge and understanding of taxable conditions’ causes and effects 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 in Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Excel and Word.
Exposure to and familiarity with standard tax applications and research tools.

Responsibilities

Identify issues requiring additional research; review state-specific statutory, regulatory, and judicial guidance; apply published guidance to client facts; and develop strategies for obtaining clarification where needed.
Prepare formal memoranda and matrices documenting positions on state tax treatment.
Partner with Core Tax and Specialized Tax Services professionals to resolve complex and contentious state and local tax matters.
Ensure clients comply with applicable authorities, identify SALT filing obligations and tax-reporting options, and oversee timely and accurate compliance filings.
Identify out-of-scope compliance matters that require additional workstreams and communicate their scope, pricing, and need to stakeholders.
Handle state and local agency inquiries, draft responses to revenue agent and auditor questions or challenges, and monitor tax consulting project work plans.
Recommend solutions that combine tax and business or industry knowledge.
Represent clients before state and local taxing authorities on contested tax issues and ensure timely, accurate responses to tax information requests.
Serve as an industry expert and SALT subject matter expert in a chosen industry; identify cross-selling opportunities; and act as the client relationship professional for designated SALT clients.
Develop tools and process improvements that make SALT services more efficient.
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 that reduce clients’ state and local tax burdens; participate in industry groups; lead marketing campaigns and external SALT initiatives; and collaborate on SALT service offerings.
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 engagement metrics, including timely billing and DSO below 40 days.
Ensure SALT personnel are trained on relevant tax software; evaluate their performance; assist with professional goals and development; and deliver timely feedback and performance evaluations.
Act as Career Advisor to SALT Senior Managers, Managers, and Staff, as appropriate.
Perform other duties as required.