Manager - Tax

GRADE LEVEL:  56

DEPARTMENT: Tax Accounting

STARTING SALARY: $118,300 - $165,160 Salary is commensurate with experience 

Profile Description

Oversees the Company's tax compliance, accounting, planning, and reporting activities. This role ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, local, and regulatory requirements, as well as GAAP and FERC regulations, while partnering with Finance, Accounting, Regulatory, Legal, and Operations teams to optimize the Company's tax position and mitigate tax risk.

Job Summary

Under the general direction of the Vice President, Controller, the Manager of Tax is responsible for overseeing the Company's tax compliance, tax accounting, tax planning, and tax reporting functions. This position ensures compliance with all applicable federal, state, local, and regulatory tax requirements while adhering to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regulations, as applicable. Collaborates closely with Finance, Accounting, Regulatory, Legal, and Operations teams to optimize the Company's tax position, support business and strategic initiatives, and mitigate tax-related risks. This role also provides technical tax guidance, monitors changes in tax laws and regulations, and ensures the timely and accurate filing of all tax obligations.

Job Responsibilities

1. Manage and oversee the preparation, filing, and payment of all federal, state, and local tax returns.

2. Ensure the timely filing of tax returns and responses to tax authority inquiries, notices, and ruling requests.

3. Direct tax audits and negotiate tax-related matters with federal, state, and local agencies in coordination with legal counsel.

4. Manage relationships with external tax consultants and advisors.

5. Develop and implement tax strategies to optimize the Company's tax position and minimize risk.

6. Oversee tax accounting, financial reporting, and tax account reconciliations in accordance with GAAP and the FERC Uniform System of Accounts.

7. Prepare and review tax disclosures for internal and external financial reporting.

8. Coordinate and support external financial statement audits, tax audits, and regulatory commission audits.

9. Manage the regulatory aspects of tax accounting, reporting, and compliance.

10. Develop and implement regulatory strategies related to tax matters.

11. Direct the preparation and review of rate schedules, compliance filings, interrogatories, and legal briefs, and serve as an expert witness in regulatory proceedings, as required.

12. Develop tax forecasts and projections, support the annual budgeting process, and analyze variances between actual and budgeted tax expenses.

13. Continuously improve departmental processes, policies, procedures, and internal controls.

14. Assist with the recruitment, selection, development, and retention of department personnel.

15. Provide leadership and oversight for employee performance management, compensation recommendations, disciplinary actions, and workforce planning.

16. Identify and coordinate training and professional development opportunities to enhance employee knowledge and competencies.

17. Monitor and evaluate changes in tax laws, regulations, and accounting standards to ensure ongoing compliance and identify potential impacts to the Company.

18. Ensure compliance with all Company policies, procedures, Code of Ethics, and applicable governmental laws and regulations, including employment, safety, and environmental requirements.

19. Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Job Qualifications

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate with or without reasonable accommodation that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

Education

Education: Bachelors- Accounting or Tax, advanced degree preferred

*Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is required.

Years of Experience

Experience: 8 years of experience

Minimum Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

1. Experience in tax accounting, preferably with a regulated utility, public utility, or national/public accounting firm.
2. Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local tax laws; tax accounting and financial reporting requirements; compliance standards; budgeting and forecasting practices; and supervisory principles.
3. Minimum of three (3) years of experience leading, managing, and developing employees.
4. Demonstrated ability to oversee the preparation, review, filing, and payment of complex federal, state, and local tax returns.
5. Ability to manage monthly, quarterly, and annual tax compliance and reporting requirements while meeting established deadlines.
6. Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously.
7. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to present and explain complex tax matters to management, regulators, auditors, and external stakeholders.
8. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, management, regulatory agencies, external auditors, consultants, and other stakeholders.
9. Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain the highest level of confidentiality regarding sensitive financial, tax, and personnel matters.
10. Proficiency in tax research, tax compliance software, and Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.