Tax Senior Manager, State and Local Tax - Credits & Incentives

BDO USA•Chicago, IL

About The Position

The Tax Senior Manager, SALT - Credits & Incentives advises clients on credit and incentive opportunities related to their business objectives, recommends alternative courses of action, and identifies methods for complying with applicable statutes and regulations. The role includes marketing, networking, business development, and recognizing potential changes in credit and incentive policy. The Senior Manager also works with Core Tax Principals and Directors to provide credits and incentives expertise to clients. Responsibilities include researching complex credits and incentives issues; reviewing income tax returns and compliance processes; preparing memoranda, reports, and opportunities matrices; identifying and developing strategies to maximize client awards; managing client engagements and expectations; negotiating with tax authorities; responding to notices; representing clients and supporting examinations; and using research databases and related tax software. The role also supervises, trains, and evaluates SALT team members, reviews their work, and supports their professional development.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or another relevant field.
Eight or more years of prior state and local or multistate experience in the credits and incentives area.
Prior experience supervising tax professionals on a project or engagement basis.
CPA certification or another relevant certification.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Excel and Word.
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 assignments effectively.
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 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 credits and incentives services effectively and efficiently.
Advanced knowledge of information sources used in credits and incentives filings.
Advanced understanding of how taxable conditions affect clients and the related credits and incentives opportunities.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Accounting or Taxation, or a J.D.
Prior experience preparing and/or reviewing tax provisions.
Exposure to and familiarity with standard tax applications and research tools.

Responsibilities

Identify complex credits and incentives issues requiring research, outline the issues, and determine appropriate research sources.
Analyze researched facts and sources and prepare detailed reports or credits and incentives opportunity matrices.
Develop relationships with in-state and out-of-state tax and revenue department personnel and economic development personnel.
Review income tax returns and identify significant statutory credit opportunities.
Evaluate clients’ compliance processes and provide customized or automated solutions for annual credits and incentives reporting.
Draft credits and incentives memoranda and other documentation on related issues.
Review client operations to determine jurisdictions where credits and incentives opportunities may exist.
Apply relevant state tax consulting specialties and consult other professionals when appropriate.
Ensure engagement letters are adopted before work begins and manage engagements and client expectations.
Assist in developing consultative credits and incentives strategies.
Draft responses to notices from state taxing authorities, represent clients before tax authorities, and assist with examination support.
Use credits and incentives research databases and related software to complete assigned work.
Provide technical service to multi-state companies and negotiate credits and incentives matters.
Review opportunity studies, identify alternative courses of action, develop ideas to maximize client awards, research strategies, and suggest marketing approaches for new client acquisition.
Supervise the day-to-day workload of SALT Senior Associates and Associates and review their work product.
Ensure Senior Associates, Associates, and Interns are trained on relevant tax software.
Evaluate SALT Senior Associates and Associates and help develop their professional goals and objectives.
Provide periodic performance feedback and complete performance evaluations for SALT Managers, Senior Associates, Associates, and Interns.
Serve as a career advisor to SALT Senior Associates and Associates, as appropriate.
Perform other duties as required.