Job Description

Job Summary:

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.

Job Duties:

Research

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

Tax Compliance

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

Tax Consulting

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

Tax Controversy

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 

Tax Specialization

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

Accounting for Income Taxes – SFAS109

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

Business Development

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

Other duties as required

Supervisory Responsibilities:

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

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Education:

Bachelor’s degree required, focus in Accounting or Taxation, preferred
Master’s degree in Accounting or Taxation, preferred
Juris Doctorate, preferred

Experience:

Nine (9) or more years of prior SALT experience, required 
Prior experience supervising tax professionals on a project or engagement basis, required 
Prior experience preparing and/or reviewing tax provisions high, preferred
Prior experience with corporate taxation, consolidations and partnerships, preferred

License/Certifications:

CPA certification or other relevant certification, preferred

Software:

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

Other Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

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