Tax Experienced Manager, State and Local Tax

BDO USA•Cleveland, OH

About The Position

The Tax Experienced Manager, State and Local Tax (SALT) advises clients on tax implications related to business objectives, recommends alternative courses of action, and identifies methods of complying with tax regulations. The role includes marketing, networking, and business development within the manager’s area of specialization; recognizing changes in tax policy and applying new policies to tax compliance; and providing SALT expertise to clients in collaboration with Core Tax Partners, Directors, and Senior Managers. The manager researches complex tax issues, reviews tax returns, responds to state taxing authority notices, supports examinations, and provides consulting and controversy services. The role serves multistate companies, represents clients before tax authorities, negotiates settlements and voluntary disclosure agreements, and prepares tax accrual workpapers and technical documentation. It also contributes to tax strategy development, client acquisition, engagement management, and client relationship management. The position supervises SALT Managers, Senior Associates, Associates, and Interns on assigned engagements. Responsibilities include reviewing work, ensuring staff training on relevant tax software, evaluating performance, providing feedback, supporting professional development, and acting as a career advisor to Senior Associates and Associates as appropriate. Other duties may be assigned as required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
At least six years of prior state and local or multistate experience.
Experience supervising tax professionals on a project or engagement basis.
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 independently or in a group environment and manage multiple projects 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 personnel and clients.
Ability to foster teamwork 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 and of information sources 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, or a J.D.
Experience preparing and/or reviewing tax provisions.
Experience with corporate taxation, consolidations, and partnerships.
CPA certification or another relevant certification.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, especially Excel and Word.
Exposure to and familiarity with standard tax applications and research tools.

Responsibilities

Identify complex situations requiring tax research, outline the issues and appropriate research sources, analyze the facts and sources, and prepare detailed reports of research findings.
Develop relationships with in-state and out-of-state Department of Tax and Department of Revenue personnel.
Review tax returns in detail and identify significant state tax issues.
Compose responses to notices from state taxing authorities and assist with examination support.
Draft tax memorandums, opinions, and other documentation on tax issues; apply relevant state tax consulting specialties and consult other tax professionals when appropriate.
Determine tax planning processes, ensure engagement letters are adopted before work begins, manage engagements, assist with consultative selling strategies, and manage assigned client expectations.
Represent clients before tax authorities on contested issues.
Use GoSystems, tax research databases, and other tax-related software to complete assigned work.
Provide technical client service to multistate companies on state and local tax issues.
Negotiate settlements and voluntary disclosure agreements and represent clients in state tax audits.
Prepare tax accrual workpapers and apply industry standards, firm policies, and BDO Tax Quality Manual requirements relating to FAS 109, FIN 48, and FAS 5 for sales tax and unclaimed property.
Review tax-impact studies to identify alternative courses of action that benefit clients; research tax strategies and develop ideas to advance clients’ or the firm’s interests through tax or expense reduction or non-tax benefits.
Suggest marketing approaches for acquiring new clients.
Supervise the day-to-day workload of SALT Managers, Senior Associates, and Associates on assigned engagements and review their work product.
Ensure SALT Managers, Senior Associates, Associates, and Interns are trained on relevant tax software.
Evaluate performance, support development of goals and objectives, provide periodic feedback, and complete performance evaluations for SALT Managers, Senior Associates, Associates, and Interns.
Act as a career advisor to SALT Senior Associates and Associates, as appropriate.
Perform other duties as required.