Tax Research Analyst

This position is responsible for providing tax and legal expertise for Vertex software products. The role involves researching and interpreting tax and case law, statutes, regulations, and legislation to determine their impact on Vertex products. The analyst will structure standard and complex tax content, monitor legislative activities, test content, and contribute to the development of tax research solutions. Key responsibilities include interacting with customers, identifying changes in tax law, and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Must Have

• Provide tax and legal expertise for software products.
• Research and interpret tax and case law, statutes, regulations, and legislation.
• Determine how tax laws impact Vertex products.
• Structure standard and complex tax content within Vertex products.
• Interact and communicate effectively with internal/external customers and stakeholders.
• Identify, understand, and communicate changes in tax law or regulations.
• Monitor and analyze legislative/regulatory activities using research tools.
• Test complex tax content and functionality.
• Provide expertise and support for testing and implementing systems/process changes.
• Contribute to the development of requirements for Tax Research organization.
• Understand and resolve complex customer issues and systems architecture.
• Perform quality assurance tasks.
• Guide team members in agile principles and ceremonies.
• Work closely with Research Management Team to develop and implement plans.
• Support a dynamic environment using agile methodologies.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Taxation, Finance, data science or similar.
• 5+ years in a multi-jurisdictional environment with emphasis in Indirect Tax.
• Strong experience with research tools (CCH, Lexis-Nexis, RIA, BNA).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office packages.
• Taxonomy & Classification Expertise.
• Data Analysis & Mapping.
• Governance & Compliance.
• Attention to Detail.
• Communication & Collaboration.
• Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking.
• Expertise in a specific tax field/industry.
• Ability to work without supervision.

Good to Have

• Obtained or actively pursuing Juris Doctorate (J.D.), masters in taxation, MBA, CMI, or CPA certification.
• O Series certification.
• Industry or consulting experience.
• Experience with Vertex or other tax engines.
• Developing capability to teach, develop and train.
• Developing capability to understand how customers would use Vertex products.
• Developing capability in project management, estimation skills.
• Developing expertise in multiple tax fields/industry.
• Developing / ability for Compliance administration.
• Developing capability to influence and create awareness skills.
• Developing proficiency in the latest personal productivity tools (e.g., Alteryx, Power BI).

Perks & Benefits

• Eligibility for Vertex Bonus Plan (VOB)
• Eligibility for role-specific sales commission/bonus
• Eligibility for equity grants
• Professional development (attending education workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks, participating in professional societies)
• Occasional travel

Job Description:

SUMMARY:

This position is responsible for providing tax and legal expertise for our software products. Research and interpret tax and case law, statutes, regulations and legislation and determine how it impacts Vertex products. Structure standard and complex tax content within Vertex products in a manner consistent with system architecture and platforms.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Determine how categories, taxability, impositions, etc. impact Vertex products regarding the addition of new content or the maintenance of existing content.
• Ability to interact and communicate effectively with internal/external customers and stakeholders
• Identify, understand, and communicate changes in the tax law or regulations that would have an impact on Vertex products.
• Monitor and analyze legislative/regulatory activities utilizing research tools from third party data providers, (such as CCH, Lexis-Nexis), and other sources of tax content and communicate/coordinate accordingly to ensure our content is in regulatory compliance.
• Test complex tax content and functionality within Vertex products and internal databases.
• Provide expertise and support for testing and implementing systems and/or process changes to support increased efficiencies or conformance with prompting rules.
• Contribute to the development of requirements and needs of the Tax Research organization as it relates to tax content. solutions, and functionality.
• Understand and resolve complex customer issues and systems architecture to develop solutions.
• Perform quality assurance tasks following documented processes.
• Guide team members in the principles of agile, conducting agile ceremonies, and guiding teams towards continuous team improvement, (ex. functioning as an Agile Coach).
• Work closely with peers in the Research Management Team to develop and implement cohesive plans to increase Vertex's capacity and capability pertaining to Vertex's tax needs.
• Support a dynamic environment at Vertex, using agile methodologies, collaborating with other departments, contributing time, effort, and ideas.
• Enhance job knowledge by attending education workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies; developing an/or maintaining proficiency in the latest personal productivity tools is a plus, (ex. Alteryx, Power BI, etc.)
• Lead or participate in other operational and strategic projects or duties as assigned.
• Occasional travel may be required

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• N/A

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Taxonomy & Classification Expertise
• Understanding of taxonomy structures, hierarchical classification, and metadata standards.
• Experience with category mapping and harmonization across multiple systems.
• Data Analysis & Mapping
• Strong analytical skills for interpreting data relationships and mapping categories accurately.
• Familiarity with data normalization and enrichment techniques.
• Governance & Compliance
• Knowledge of data governance principles, standards, and best practices.
• Ability to ensure compliance with internal and external classification guidelines.
• Attention to Detail
• High level of accuracy in mapping and validating categories.
• Ability to identify inconsistencies and resolve classification conflicts.
• Communication & Collaboration
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for documenting taxonomy rules and guidelines.
• Ability to work cross-functionally with data stewards, governance teams, and business units.
• Strong communication (oral, written, presentation and facilitation) skills.
• Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking
• Ability to troubleshoot mapping issues and propose solutions.
• Comfortable working with ambiguous or incomplete data sets

• Ability to apply professional concepts, experience and company objectives in order to perform an in-depth analysis of situations or data to resolve complex issues in creative ways.

• Ability to problem-solve.

• Expertise in a specific tax field/industry

• Developing capability to teach, develop and train.

• Developing capability to understand how customers would use Vertex products or equivalent tax solution product.

• Developing capability in project management, estimation skills.

• Developing expertise in multiple tax fields/industry.

• Developing / ability for Compliance administration (Facilitate information between Vertex and Taxing Authorities).

• Developing capability to influence and create awareness skills.

• Ability to utilize time management and effectively communicating competing priorities.

• Ability to work without supervision. Latitude for independent decision making.

• Ability to listen and understand information and communicate the same.

• Must be results oriented, customer focused, and exhibit good interpersonal skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office packages is required.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Taxation, Finance, data science or similar degree required

• Obtained or actively pursuing one or more of the following: Juris Doctorate (J.D.), masters in taxation, MBA, CMI, or CPA certification (active or inactive) preferred.

• O Series certification preferred.

• 5+ years in a multi-jurisdictional environment with emphasis in Indirect Tax

• Developing the ability to lead projects

• Industry or consulting experience a plus

• Strong experience with research tools such as CCH, Lexis-Nexis, RIA, BNA, etc.

• Experience with Vertex or other tax engines a plus

• 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.

Pay Transparency Statement:

US Base Salary Range: $75,300.00 - $97,800.00

Base pay offered to new hires may vary based upon factors including relevant industry and job-related skills and experience, geographic location, and business needs.* The range displayed does not encompass the full potential of the role, which allows for further growth and career progression.

In addition, as a part of our total compensation package, this role may be eligible for the Vertex Bonus Plan (VOB), a role-specific sales commission/bonus, and/or equity grants.

Learn more about Life at Vertex

and connect with your recruiter for more details regarding Vertex's compensation and benefit programs.

*In no case will your pay fall below applicable local minimum wage requirements*.