Tax Associate, State and Local Tax

About the Role

The SALT Associate will be responsible for basic research and analysis of state and local tax (SALT) issues, along with utilization of tax software in the completion of basic tax returns and other tax filings and documents. In this role, the Tax Associate, State and Local Taxation will have the opportunity to utilize their educational background while working side-by-side with more experienced Tax members who will provide direction and coaching related to a range of state and local tax laws and resources.

Key Responsibilities

• Tax Research
• Identifies simple situations when research is necessary, providing an outline of the issue(s) and the appropriate source of research to be conducted.
• Analyzes researched facts and the sources utilized prior to composing a detailed report of the research findings.
• Tax Compliance
• Participates in the preparation, filing, and completion of voluntary disclosure agreements for sales and use tax, income tax, and unclaimed property.
• Drafts tax memorandums, tax opinions, and other documentation on various tax issues.
• Assists in the drafting of responses to notices from state taxing authorities.
• Prepares modeling for tax and unclaimed property exposure analysis.
• Participates in the audit defense of client returns and tax positions.
• Ensures all data needed to comply with filing requirements is obtained and identifies missing items for the preparation of assigned tax returns.
• Monitors current tax law changes and applies them appropriately to the preparation of assigned tax returns.
• Manages collection and retention of all appropriate workpapers for assigned clients.
• Tax Consulting
• Develops, recommends, and implements standard tax methods to provide clients with maximum tax benefits related to current and future tax obligations.
• Utilizes online research tools, prior tax returns, interviews with client personnel, and other resources to gather pertinent tax information related to assigned clients.
• Continues building tax knowledge by monitoring relevant tax laws and educating oneself on firm tax strategies and Tax Planning Ideas (TPIs).
• Tax Related Software
• Utilizes Caseware, GoSystems, tax research databases, and other tax-related software in the completion of assigned tasks.
• Tax Specialization
• Develops an in-depth understanding of the technical and practical issues and opportunities regarding SALT tax benefits.
• Understands and applies industry standards, along with firm policies and BDO Tax Quality Manual requirements as they relate to FAS 109 and FIN48, as well as FAS5 for sales tax and unclaimed properties.
• Strategy Development
• Assists in the preparation of studies of tax implications to identify alternative courses of action to benefit clients.
• Develops an understanding of the impact of a client’s business objectives as it relates to the client’s tax situation.
• Other duties as required.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Caseware
• GoSystems
• Tax research databases

Qualifications

• Education
• Bachelors degree required; focus in Accounting, preferred.
• Masters degree in Accounting/Taxation or J.D., preferred.
• Experience
• Prior internship or other work experience within an accounting setting or public accounting, preferred.
• License/Certifications
• Eligible to sit for the CPA exams.
• Progress towards admission to practice in a U.S. jurisdiction.
• Progress towards Internal Revenue Service Enrolled Agent (“EA”) (or progress towards the equivalent of one of these designations) upon starting employment, preferred.
• Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong analytical and basic 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.
• Proven ability to work in a deadline-driven environment and handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to prepare simple tax returns.
• Basic knowledge of appropriate application of tax standards to ensure effective and efficient delivery of tax services.
• Basic knowledge of sources of relevant information utilized in tax filings as well as the most widely-used filing forms and awareness of other less widely used forms.
• Basic knowledge and understanding of cause/effect for taxable conditions on clients and the potential tax issues.
• Basic knowledge of accounting theory, filing methodologies, and frequencies for sales tax returns.