What are the responsibilities and job description for the Tax Compliance Specialist position at Hillyard, Inc.?
Tax Compliance Specialist | Sales & Use Tax
Location: St. Joseph, MO
Department/Team: Accounting
Schedule: Monday–Friday
Ready for a tax role where you're not just preparing returns—you're trusted to own the process, solve problems, and become the go-to resource for the business?
Hillyard, Inc. is looking for an experienced Tax Compliance Specialist who enjoys digging into the details, navigating complex tax requirements, and taking ownership of sales and use tax compliance.
If you have experience in sales and use tax, corporate tax, or public accounting, this is an opportunity to take your expertise beyond return preparation and have a meaningful impact across an established organization.
As our Tax Compliance Specialist, you'll serve as a key resource for sales and use tax matters, working with internal teams, customers, suppliers, tax authorities, and outside tax professionals. You'll have ownership across the compliance process—from reconciliations and filings to exemption certificates, audits, research, and our relationship with Vertex.
What You'll Do
- Prepare, review, and reconcile monthly sales and use tax data using Vertex
- Review and approve state and local sales tax returns prepared by our third-party tax provider and prepare filings handled internally
- Reconcile sales and use tax-related general ledger accounts
- Manage sales tax exemption certificates and monitor supplier transactions for use tax compliance
- Serve as the primary relationship manager with Vertex and coordinate tax application updates with our ERP system
- Coordinate sales tax audits, including documentation and communication with auditors
- Monitor unclaimed property requirements and coordinate required filings
- Partner with our outside tax firm on state income tax estimates
- Manage W-9, tax exemption certificate, tax, and licensing requests
- Research tax questions, identify potential compliance concerns, and recommend solutions
What We're Looking For
We're looking for someone who combines tax knowledge with analytical thinking, attention to detail, and the confidence to take ownership of an important compliance function.
- 2–4 years of experience in corporate tax, public accounting, or a related accounting role
- Sales and use tax experience strongly preferred
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
- Knowledge of state and local tax regulations, particularly sales and use tax
- Understanding of tax accounting, reconciliations, and financial reporting
- Strong analytical, research, and problem-solving skills
- Experience with tax software and ERP systems; Vertex experience is a plus
- Strong Excel and Microsoft Office skills
- Ability to independently manage multiple filings, deadlines, audits, and priorities
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills
Coming from public accounting? Your experience managing multiple clients, deadlines, research, and compliance requirements could translate well to an opportunity where you can bring that expertise in-house and develop deeper ownership of the tax function.
Why This Opportunity Stands Out
- Own the Process: Take responsibility for sales and use tax compliance from reconciliation through filing and audit support
- Become a Trusted Resource: Build expertise that makes you a go-to partner for tax questions throughout the organization
- Go Beyond Return Preparation: Work on audits, exemptions, research, systems, compliance risk, and process improvements
- Build Cross-Functional Experience: Partner with Accounting and teams throughout the business, as well as customers, suppliers, auditors, and outside tax professionals
- Continue Growing Your Expertise: Expand your knowledge of state and local taxation within a stable, established organization
Why Hillyard?
Since 1907, Hillyard has helped businesses create clean, safe, and healthy environments through industry-leading products, equipment, and solutions.
As a family-owned organization, we've built our success through strong relationships, dependable service, and people who take ownership of their work.
As part of our Accounting team, you'll bring that same ownership to an important area of our business, helping Hillyard confidently navigate changing tax requirements and maintain strong compliance processes.
What's in It for You?
- Monday–Friday schedule
- Competitive salary and bonus program
- Paid holidays
- Paid time off
- Industry-leading 401(k) and profit-sharing program
- Medical, dental, and vision benefits
- Professional development opportunities
- Long-term career opportunities with a stable, family-owned company
Take Ownership of Your Next Tax Opportunity
If you're a tax professional who enjoys solving complex problems, digging into the details, and being the person others trust for answers, we'd like to hear from you.
At Hillyard, we value the people behind our success and are committed to providing opportunities to learn, grow, and build a meaningful career. Bring your tax expertise, analytical thinking, and attention to detail to a team where you'll have the opportunity to own an important compliance function and make an impact across the organization.
Apply today and bring your tax expertise to the Hillyard Accounting Team!