Accounting & Tax Lead

Title: Accounting & Tax Lead

Department: EPC Finance

Location: Houston, TX

Supervisor: Director of Corporate Finance

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Status: Permanent, Full-time

Work Status: Hybrid

ACCOUNTING & TAX LEAD

Hanwha Qcells USA Corp (Qcells USA), headquartered in Irvine, CA, specializes in providing utility-scale modules, solar photovoltaic (PV), and battery energy storage systems (BESS) project development, along with Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) services for solar and BESS projects nationwide. Qcells USA delivers comprehensive turnkey solutions encompassing the entire utility-scale project lifecycle. By choosing Qcells USA for turnkey solutions, customers can reduce uncertainty and risk, leading to enhanced investment returns and contributing to a more sustainable future.

Qcells USA's complete turnkey solutions seamlessly integrate the expertise of our Development, Module, and EPC teams, while ensuring close coordination with other vital internal groups such as Project Finance, Systems Integration, and Legal. This collaborative approach ensures that Qcells USA projects deliver exceptional value and performance. With several multi-billion-dollar investments, Qcells is pioneering the establishment of the only complete module supply chain in the U.S., including the expansion of our Georgia module manufacturing facility, which stands as the largest in the Western Hemisphere.

As an integral part of the global Qcells brand, Qcells USA benefits from a legacy of excellence in photovoltaic manufacturing. Qcells is renowned worldwide for its high-performance, superior-quality solar cells and modules. With dual headquarters in Seoul, South Korea (Global Executive HQ) and Thalheim, Germany (Technology & Innovation HQ), Qcells operates under the umbrella of Hanwha Group, a FORTUNE Global 500 company and one of the top 8 business conglomerates in South Korea.

SUMMARY

The Accounting & Tax Lead supports both general accounting and tax compliance functions within the Corporate Finance team. This role partners closely with the Manager, Tax to support sales and use tax, property tax, and information reporting compliance, and also partners with the Sr. Manager, Accounting to support general ledger, account reconciliation, and financial reporting activities. This position reports to the Director of Corporate Finance, or another management personnel that the CEO of the Company may designate. This position is Hybrid located in our Houston, TX office and working hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:00am to 5:00pm or 9:00am to 6:00pm local time. This position is expected to travel up to 10%.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION & RESPONSIBILITIES

Tax Compliance Support

•          Assist with the preparation and filing of sales and use tax, business personal property tax, and other indirect tax returns under the direction of the Manager, Tax

•          Support information reporting processes, including preparation of Forms 1099 and 1042

•          Assist with technical tax research and documentation, including tax matrices and research memorandums to support tax positions

•          Support responses to tax notices, audits, and information requests from taxing authorities

•          Assist with account reconciliation and recordkeeping for tax-related general ledger accounts

General Accounting & Financial Close

•          Prepare and post journal entries for monthly, quarterly, and year-end close in accordance with US GAAP

•          Perform account reconciliations and assist with resolution of reconciling items under the direction of the Sr. Manager, Accounting

•          Support preparation and review of financial data and schedules for internal reporting and headquarters deliverables

•          Assist with lease accounting, fixed asset, and other balance sheet reconciliation support as assigned

Cross-Functional Coordination

•          Coordinate with Accounting, Treasury, FP&A, and outside tax preparers/advisors to ensure alignment on tax and accounting matters

•          Partner with Project Controls and EPC project teams to support tax-related project matters, including property tax and sales/use tax on project purchases

Audit & Compliance

•          Prepare supporting schedules and documentation for internal and external audit requests, covering both tax and accounting areas

•          Support the maintenance of internal controls over financial reporting and tax compliance processes

Process Improvement

•          Identify opportunities to streamline tax and accounting processes, reporting templates, and reconciliation procedures

•          Support documentation of standard operating procedures for both accounting and tax workflows

General

•          Perform other accounting and tax-related duties and special projects as assigned by Management

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

•          Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Tax, or a related field

•          Minimum of 6 years of combined experience in accounting and/or tax, including exposure to general ledger accounting and indirect tax compliance

•          Working knowledge of US GAAP and sales and use tax / indirect tax concepts

•          Proficiency with ERP systems (SAP preferred) and advanced Excel skills

•          Strong analytical and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines across both accounting and tax responsibilities

•          Excellent verbal and written communication skills

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

•          Experience with tax software such as SOVOS, Vertex, or similar

•          Experience in the construction or renewable energy industry

•          CPA or active pursuit of CPA license

•          Experience working in a project-based or EPC accounting environment

EXAMPLES OF PHYSICAL DEMANDS

•          Stationary Position: frequently remains stationary up to 90% of the time and sitting up to 8 hours a day

•          Move/Traverse: infrequently bend, stand, stoop and/or walk

•          Carry Weight: infrequently carry weight and/or lift objects (light to heavy) weighing up to 10 pounds

•          Hearing and Speech: frequently communicates with the ability to hear and talk on a regular basis with employees, coworkers, and all personnel matters; must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations

•          Sight: frequent use of sight to detect images on computer, office documents, and office objects near and far

•          Climb: occasionally ascends/descends on stairway to get to office upper and lower floors

•          Travel: up to 10% as needed

EXAMPLES OF WORK ENVIRONMENT

•          Regular professional, office business setting

•          Noise level ranges from low to moderate (if in office setting)

•          Noise level ranges from moderate to high (if on construction worksite)

•          Under the Office Mobilization Plan (OMP) policy, the role may transition to an onsite or hybrid arrangement, as determined by business needs and the Head of Department