Tax Processing Associate & Specialist

This position performs a wide range of sales and use tax (SUT) compliance functions in a team-based, collaborative environment. Understand various business entities (retail, service, manufacturing, leasing, etc.) and the related SUT compliance details involved. Accountable for the accuracy, integrity, and timely filing of the client’s returns and payments. Responsible for building and maintaining client relationships by acting as the dedicated specialist.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Prepare Clients’ sales and use tax returns for the time sensitive SUT compliance cycle. This will include:
  • Communicate frequently with Client contacts via phone and e-mail
  • Review Client tax data for accuracy, investigate questionable data and take corrective action when necessary
  • Properly format and import monthly tax data to Vertex Indirect Tax Returns software
  • Review and reconcile SUT returns using established best practices
  • Confirm Client approvals and process and requested revisions
  • Collaborate with other staff to complete the submissions returns and payments
  • Timely initiate electronic filings and payments
  • Prepare and maintain monthly client tax compliance reports
  • Track and respond to notices from taxing jurisdictions, ensuring proper documentation and timely resolution
  • Prepare and submit sales tax registrations on behalf of clients
  • Reconcile bank activity for assigned clients
  • Exercise significant and independent professional judgment to resolve more complex tax reporting problems
  • Participate in new client implementations and successfully transition clients to other staff members with appropriate training
  • Assist with special projects and new hire training.
  • Lead or participate in projects or other duties to support the business
  • Ability to accommodate additional hours as needed during the monthly peak processing period, which is between the 5th and the 20th of each month
  • Returns volume supported expanding to approximate 600 returns per month within (6) months with moderate to complex client complexity
  • Assist with new client onboarding
  • Assist with new hire training
  • Work independently after (3) months
  • Participates in projects and performs other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• N/A

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Specific knowledge of multi-state tax preparing software and preparation of monthly SUT returns

• Proficient in Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel

• Excellent oral and written communication skills and interpersonal skills

• Must be detailed oriented and have strong organizational skills

• Must be a self-starter, able to operate under minimum supervision

• Demonstrate customer focused mentality, and be a team player

• Must be able to adhere to tight monthly deadlines, with strong time management and organizational skills

• Strong diplomacy skills are required

• Ability to develop and apply professional concepts to resolve issues with moderate to significant scope.

• Exercise independent judgement on new projects or assignments.

• Possess strong interpersonal skills to build productive internal/external working relationships.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance or similar required.

• Six (6) plus years of sales & use tax compliance experience.

• Or equivalent combination of education and/or experience.

Other Qualifications
The Winning Way behaviors that all Vertex employees need in order to meet the expectations of each other, our customers, and our partners.

• Communicate with Clarity - Be clear, concise and actionable. Be relentlessly constructive. Seek and provide meaningful feedback.

• Act with Urgency - Adopt an agile mentality - frequent iterations, improved speed, resilience. 80/20 rule – better is the enemy of done. Don’t spend hours when minutes are enough.

• Work with Purpose - Exhibit a “We Can” mindset. Results outweigh effort. Everyone understands how their role contributes. Set aside personal objectives for team results.

• Drive to Decision - Cut the swirl with defined deadlines and decision points. Be clear on individual accountability and decision authority. Guided by a commitment to and accountability for customer outcomes.

• Own the Outcome - Defined milestones, commitments and intended results. Assess your work in context, if you’re unsure, ask. Demonstrate unwavering support for decisions.

COMMENTS:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals in this position. Other functions may be assigned, and management retains the right to add or change the duties at any time.