Tax Manager, Credits & Incentives

BDO USA•Chicago, IL

About The Position

The Tax Manager, Credits & Incentives advises clients on credit and incentive opportunities related to their business objectives, recommends alternative courses of action, and identifies ways to comply with applicable statutes and regulations. The role includes marketing, networking, and business development within the manager’s area of specialization, as well as monitoring potential changes in credit and incentive policy. The manager works with Core Tax Partners, Directors, and Senior Managers to provide credits and incentives expertise to their clients. The position researches complex credits and incentives matters, reviews tax compliance and operations for opportunities, develops and documents strategies, and manages client engagements. It also includes representing clients before tax authorities and supporting examinations. The manager supervises and develops SALT Senior Associates, Associates, and Interns, including reviewing their work, training them on relevant tax software, evaluating performance, and providing career guidance.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or another relevant field.
At least five years of state and local or multistate tax experience.
Experience supervising tax professionals on a project or engagement basis.
CPA or another relevant certification.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Superior analytical and research skills.
Solid organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to meet project deadlines.
Ability to multitask and work independently or within a group in a deadline-driven environment.
Ability to manage a team of tax professionals and delegate assignments.
Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with internal and client personnel and contribute to a team environment and assigned personnel’s professional development.
Executive presence and ability to serve as the primary contact on assigned engagements and interact effectively with professionals at all levels.
Advanced knowledge of applying tax standards to deliver credits and incentives services effectively and efficiently.
Advanced knowledge of sources used in credits and incentives filings.
Advanced understanding of the causes and effects of taxable conditions for clients and related credits and incentives opportunities.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Accounting or Taxation, or Juris Doctorate.
Strong experience in credits and incentives.
Experience preparing or reviewing tax provisions.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Word.
Exposure to and familiarity with standard tax applications and research tools.

Responsibilities

Identify complex credits and incentives situations requiring research, outline the issues and appropriate research sources, analyze findings, and prepare detailed reports or opportunity matrices.
Develop relationships with in-state and out-of-state Departments of Tax or Revenue and economic development personnel.
Review income tax returns to identify significant statutory credit opportunities.
Evaluate clients’ compliance processes and provide customized or automated solutions for annual credits and incentives reporting.
Draft memorandums and other documentation concerning credits and incentives issues.
Review client operations to identify jurisdictions where credits and incentives opportunities may exist, applying relevant state tax consulting specialties and consulting other tax professionals when appropriate.
Ensure engagement letters are adopted before work begins and manage engagements, client expectations, and consultative credits and incentives strategies.
Draft responses to state tax authority notices, represent clients before tax authorities on credits and incentives issues, and assist with examinations.
Use credits and incentives research databases, related software, and other tax applications to complete assigned work.
Provide technical service to multistate clients, conduct negotiations on credits and incentives matters, and draft technical memorandums.
Review opportunity studies and research strategies to identify alternative approaches and maximize client awards; develop ideas to advance client positions and suggest marketing approaches for new client acquisitions.
Supervise the day-to-day work of SALT Senior Associates and Associates on assigned engagements and review their work product.
Train SALT Senior Associates, Associates, and Interns on relevant tax software; evaluate performance, help establish development goals, provide feedback, and complete performance evaluations.
Act as a career advisor to SALT Senior Associates and Associates, as appropriate.
Perform other duties as required.