Assistant Controller, Tax

ucf; Orlando (FL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Central Florida is seeking an Assistant Controller, Tax to lead tax compliance across federal, state, local, and international obligations. This role maintains subsidiary tax records, processes tax payments, and ensures audit-ready documentation.

You will guide staff, interpret evolving regulations, and support internal controls and policy development. The position focuses on audits, tax planning, and strengthening UCF's compliance posture within a large, decentralized university

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree and 4+ years of relevant experience.
• Preferred: Master's in Accounting, Finance or MBA.
• CPA or CMA or similar credential preferred.
• Experience leading teams in a high-volume, compliance-driven finance environment.
• Advanced knowledge of accounting principles, internal controls, and regulations.
• Proficiency in Excel and Workday or similar ERP systems.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and maintain tax compliance across federal, state, local, and international obligations.
• Monitor and remit taxes for all departments; document paperwork and file with tax authorities.
• Research changes in tax law and communicate impacts to management.
• Update policies and train staff on tax procedures and controls.
• Develop initiatives to streamline tax processes across the university.
• Supervise staff; conduct performance assessments and provide feedback.
• Assist in tax audits and coordinate with external counsel as needed.
• Contribute to Workday system implementations and upgrades related to tax.
• Ensure integrity of financial records and quality of data for tax filings.

Skills

Tax compliance

Leadership

Workday

ERP systems

Financial analysis

Internal controls

Microsoft Excel

Policy development

Audits

Communication

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Accounting/Finance

Tools

Workday

Excel

Job description

Financial Affairs :

Financial Affairs partners with our UCF community to continuously improve and deliver outstanding administrative and financial services through innovative business and technological solutions and sound fiscal stewardship.

The Opportunity:

UCF's Financial Affairs division is seeking an Assistant Controller, Tax to serve as the university's go-to authority on tax compliance - across federal, state, local, and international obligations. This is a role with genuine institutional scope: the work you do directly shapes UCF's compliance posture, financial integrity, and risk position. You will maintain and reconcile subsidiary tax records to the general ledger, manage the processing of tax payments, and ensure all documentation is complete, accurate, and audit-ready. Also preparing and reviewing tax forms and reports for the IRS, the Florida Department of Revenue, and other taxing authorities, while actively researching and interpreting evolving federal, state, and international regulations. The Assistant Controller, Tax serves as a trusted internal resource - training departmental staff on required procedures and translating regulatory complexity into clear, actionable guidance.

Responsibilities:

• Prepare and maintain compliance for international, federal, multi-state, and locally imposed tax-related requirements across the university.
• Monitor and remit state, local, and federal taxes for all applicable departments - including documenting required paperwork, reviewing the legality of payments, filing documents with the appropriate taxing agencies in the proper format and sequence, and performing analyses to confirm the appropriateness of payments.
• Assist with changes in tax law as they occur and interpret applicable guidance. Conduct research and prepare communications to provide information to university departmental management about the changes or topics of importance as they arise.
• Interpret tax regulations and assist in updating policies and procedures for changes as they occur. Continually conduct training to ensure compliance with currently enacted tax legislation.
• Develop and implement strategic initiatives to streamline tax processes across the university.
• Improve university departments' access to relevant tax information.
• Organize work groups, as necessary, to implement tax legislative changes or improvements to processes.
• Supervise and train direct report(s), ensuring that work is allocated and completed in a timely and accurate manner.
• Establish goals and objectives, monitor performance, and provide timely feedback to enhance their professional development.
• Prepare and deliver the annual performance appraisal in accordance with university procedures and deadlines.
• Provide training for new and existing staff, as needed.
• Ensure integrity of financial records and quality of financial data as it relates to tax filings.
• Perform financial analysis, identify accounting problems with tax, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective accounting solutions.
• Assist in the development and maintenance of internal policies and procedures.
• Assist and coordinate the defense for the university during federal, state, and local tax audits. This includes gathering support for the university's tax positions and filings, drafting responses to Information Document Requests and tax audit notices, as well as coordinating with external legal counsel.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures regarding internal controls.
• Participate in the implementation of software applications and upgrades to the university's Workday system.
• Make recommendations to management that maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of the university's accounting system and/or strengthen its internal controls.
• Other responsibilities as assigned to carry out the mission of the department and university.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's or Master's degree and 4+ years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience pursuant to Fla. Stat. 112.219(6) .

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 5+ years progressive experience in tax compliance within higher education or a complex public-sector organization.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), or another relevant professional credential.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing teams in a high-volume, compliance-driven finance environment.
• Advanced knowledge of accounting principles, internal controls, cash disbursement practices, and applicable federal/state regulations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other financial analysis tools, including formulas, pivot tables, and VLOOKUPs.
• Familiarity with Workday or a similar ERP system.
• Proven ability to evaluate financial risks, conduct compliance reviews, and present findings with recommendations for corrective action.
• Experience working within a large, decentralized, or complex organization