What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Indirect Tax Staff- Multi State Sales/Use & Property Tax position at The Connell Company?
Company Description
The Connell Company is a privately-owned and managed real estate, hospitality and equipment leasing firm. Founded in New York City in 1926 as a rice and commodity trader, the organization has evolved over the decades under the direction of five generations of the Connell family.
We are looking for a highly motivated Senior Indirect Tax Staff with Multi-State Sales/Use & Property tax experience to join our Tax Department in Berkeley Heights, NJ. This hybrid position will be responsible for sales and use tax compliance, researching tax laws, and working with outside tax preparers. The ideal candidate will bring a strong technical expertise, attention to detail, and the ability to collaborate effectively across departments.
Role Responsibilities:
- Review sales/use/property tax returns. This includes reviewing the information from the accounting system to determine if it is accurate and reflects the appropriate filing position for Connell and its lessees prior to forwarding the information to the outside tax preparers. It also involves analyzing and summarizing monthly sales tax data in pivot tables as well as considering applicable state law to recommend what filing positions should be taken on all returns in order to legally minimize Connell’s tax liability as well as that of its lessees. Analysis of the reasonableness of the filings given the reviewer’s knowledge of the company and follow up, as necessary, on unusual findings or relationships found during the review process.
- Reviewing lease supplements and researching state tax law to determine appropriate sales and property tax treatment of leased equipment and ensuring that appropriate exemption certificates are on file to avoid potential audit liability. This determination is based on a review of a combination of information provided by the customer and researching applicable tax law and requires knowledge of both the customer and state tax law.
- Working with the remarketing group to research the sales and use tax consequences of a proposed sale including collection of the appropriate exemption certificates for equipment sales or supplying the correct tax rate.
- Interacting with collection staff and customers as needed to resolve collection issues with respect to sales and use and property tax. This involves deciding which tax charges are appropriate based on the customers’ assertions and recommending the appropriate course of action (i.e., either issuing credits or continuing the tax charges).
- Review and timely follow up on sales/use and property tax notices as received.
- Coordinating billing (chargebacks) to lessees ensuring collection of taxes
- Reconciling tax liabilities, chargebacks and tax payments to the general ledger and recommending charge offs or other reconciling entries, as appropriate.
- Research tax issues in CCH, Checkpoint and BNA as needed
- Reviewing law changes and court cases to determine the impact, if any, on Connell’s filing positions or requirements for sales and use and property tax.
- Serving as the sales/use and property tax audit liaison including performing self-audit of company documentation, providing information to respond to audit inquiries and attempting to minimize or negate any tax, interest or penalty assessments.
- Obtaining signatures and payments as needed for completing and filing returns.
- Assist with preparation of state income tax returns (50 states) and related schedules for consolidated, combined and single entity filings.
- Assist with preparation and filing of city/local jurisdiction income tax returns & licenses.
- Assist with state and local income tax audits and notices.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting
- 5 years of experience
- Must have prior sales & use and property tax experience
- Must have prior review experience
- Familiarity with OPT property tax software and Vertex sales/use and leasing tax software
- Excellent computer/technology skills-Excel & Word are critical including proficient with the use of pivot tables is critical
- Familiarity with OneSource Tax Software is a plus
- Excellent analytical & time management skills with the ability to multi-task
- Must be very organized with keen attention to detail
- Must be able to problem solve
- Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills