SALT Senior Associate

STATE AND LOCAL TAX (SALT) - SENIOR ACCOUNTANT POSITION SUMMARY Today, corporate tax professionals are facing tough challenges. They find themselves walking the fine line between legitimate tax planning and abusive use of tax transaction rules to minimize a company's tax liabilities. This has become as much of an issue in multistate tax planning as it is in federal tax planning. In this environment of regulatory uncertainty and with heightened media scrutiny of corporate actions, the desire for unbiased tax advice is at a premium. Grant Thornton's state and local tax professionals stand ready to fill that role. Our uncompromising commitment to professional excellence and our fierce commitment to integrity is the foundation of the comprehensive services we offer.The Senior State and Local Tax Associate is responsible for delivering a full range of tax planning, consulting and compliance services to clients and works closely with staff on all phases of project and engagement management for multiple clients. Responsibilities include tax return review and preparation; interacting closely with clients to provide planning, consulting, and compliance expertise; developing and supervising staff; and assisting in client management and practice development activities.ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES -Adhere to the highest degree of professional standards and strict client confidentiality.-Run client engagements from start to finish, which includes planning, executing, directing, and completing tax projects and managing to budget.-Supervise, train, and mentor associates and interns on tax projects and assess performance of staff for engagement reviews; perform in-charge role as needed.-Deliver a full range of State and Local Tax services including tax return preparation and review, tax research, preparation of technical memorandums, and drafting client correspondence. Assignments include reverse sales tax reviews, audit defense, and research of sales tax issues.-Review tax returns done by staff and make recommendations on return preparation regarding accuracy and tax savings opportunities; gain increasing responsibility in review process. -Conduct multi-disciplinary, multi-state reviews that analyze income, franchise, sales and use, payroll, valorem taxes, and others to identify optimal filing options, exemptions, credits and incentives, and corporate structures that can reduce the client's tax burden.-Prepare returns for more complex State and Local Tax returns including Income and Franchise Tax, Sales and Use Tax, Property Tax, etc. and demonstrate an understanding of increasingly complex tax concepts.-Research and consult on various tax matters; utilize tax-related software to prepare and process returns and research tax matters.-Respond to inquiries from the IRS and other tax authorities.-Maintain a good working relationship with clients to enhance customer satisfaction and work with client management and staff at all levels to perform tax services.-Proactively interact with key client management to gather information, resolve tax-related problems, and make recommendations for business and process improvements.-Assist partners and senior management on proposals and business development calls.-Gain comprehensive understanding of client operations, processes, and business objectives and utilize that knowledge on engagements.-Participate in recruiting efforts as needed.-Attend professional development and training sessions on a regular basis.-Perform other job-related duties as necessary.QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS -Bachelor's degree in Accounting.CPA preferred. -Two to four years of progressive State and Local Tax compliance and/or tax consulting experience; experience in public accounting is a plus.-Broad exposure to State and Local Taxes including knowledge in State Income/Franchise Tax, Credits and Incentives, Sales and Use Tax, with Property Tax a plus; must be eager to work on a variety of SALT issues and not specialize in one particular area.-Strong tax accounting skills with proficiency in US GAAP, tax compliance, corporate consolidated returns, and combined state tax returns.-Ability to supervise staff and lead projects.-Exceptional client service and communication skills with a demonstrated ability to develop and maintain outstanding client relationships.-Ability to manage multiple engagements and competing projects in a rapidly growing, fast-paced, interactive, results-based team environment.-Strong leadership, recruiting, training, and mentoring skills, coupled with excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills.-Excellent analytical, organizational, and project management skills and strong attention to detail.-Strong computer skills including proficiency in Microsoft Office, Fast-Tax software, and CCH.-Ability to work additional hours as needed.Additional Information: Travel Percentage: 10%