Senior Tax Manager

Slate Auto; Troy (MI); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Slate Auto in the USA is seeking a Senior Tax Manager to lead the company’s income tax function across federal, state, and local regimes. You will design tax strategies, guide risk management, and mentor a growing tax team in a fast-paced environment.

You will partner with executive leadership to evaluate tax implications of major decisions, ensure ASC 740 compliance, and drive process improvements, technology adoption, and intercompany planning to support growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance; CPA/JD or advanced degree preferred.
• 8+ years of progressive tax experience with emphasis on corporate federal and state income tax.
• Experience in automotive or multi-state operations is a plus.
• Strong knowledge of ASC 740 tax accounting and reporting.
• Proven leadership, project management, and ability to mentor staff.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute tax strategies to optimize the company's tax position and manage risk.
• Oversee preparation, review, and filing of federal, state, and local income tax returns.
• Lead ASC 740 tax provision calculations and related disclosures.
• Drive tax audits management and defend positions with regulators as needed.
• Mentor and build a scalable, high-performing tax team.
• Collaborate with finance, legal, and operations to embed tax in business decisions.

Skills

Strategic tax leadership

People management

Cross-functional collaboration

ASC 740 knowledge

Tax compliance & reporting

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

CPA/JD/advanced degree preferred

Tools

Avalara

SAP

OneSource

CorpTax

Job description

ABOUT SLATE

At Slate, we’re building safe, reliable vehicles that people can afford, personalize and love—and doing it here in the USA as part of our commitment to reindustrialization. The spirit of DIY and customization runs throughout every element of a Slate, because people should have control over how their trucks look, feel, and represent them.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

As the Senior Tax Manager, you will be a key strategic leader responsible for overseeing all aspects of the company’s income tax function, including compliance, reporting, planning, and risk management. This role requires a forward-thinking tax professional who can design and implement tax strategies that align with the organization’s business objectives, drive efficiency, and ensure full compliance with all regulatory requirements. You will serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership, lead high-impact tax initiatives, and mentor a growing tax team in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

WHAT YOU GET TO DO

Strategic Tax Leadership

Develop and execute tax strategies that optimize the company's overall tax position, manage risk, and support long-term business growth.

Partner with executive leadership and finance teams to evaluate the tax implications of major business decisions, including mergers, acquisitions, and expansions.

Drive tax efficiency across the organization through process improvements, technology adoption, and automation.

Corporate Income Tax

Oversee the preparation, review, and timely filing of all corporate income tax returns (federal, state, and local).

Develop and maintain a quarterly process to monitor the company's income tax nexus footprint, registering the company where required and ensuring ongoing compliance with all jurisdictional requirements.

Co-own preparation of the income tax provision in accordance with ASC 740, ensuring accuracy and alignment with corporate financial reporting; review and approve return-to-provision adjustments and deferred tax entries.

Monitor evolving federal, state, and local tax legislation, proactively assessing business impact and advising leadership on necessary actions.

Maintain SOX compliance over income tax processes, ensuring internal controls are designed and operating effectively, and promptly remediating any identified deficiencies.

Evaluate and advise management on uncertain tax positions and loss contingencies (ASC 740-10 / ASC 450), ensuring positions are properly tracked and documented.

Manage the R&D tax credit study in partnership with external service providers, ensuring documentation supports qualified research expenses (QREs) and that credits are accurately captured and reflected in the return.

Support transfer pricing strategy, documentation, and intercompany transaction reporting.

Lead tax technology initiatives within the income tax function, including system implementations, user acceptance testing, and integrations to improve process efficiency and data accuracy.

Tax Planning & Advisory

Serve as a trusted advisor to leadership on complex, issue-specific tax questions as they arise, including transaction structuring, international expansion, and capital investment decisions.

Research and analyze emerging and ambiguous tax issues, delivering clear, actionable recommendations to mitigate risk and support decision-making.

Tax Audits & Risk Management

Lead the company’s response to federal, state and local income tax audits and examinations, managing relationships with external auditors and regulatory authorities.

Oversee the preparation of supporting documentation and ensure effective resolution of disputes.

Team Leadership & Development

Serve as a mentor and technical resource to other members of the tax team, supporting their growth and development even in the absence of direct reporting relationships.

Contribute to building a scalable, high-performing tax function as the team grows, with the expectation of taking on direct people-management responsibilities over time.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Partner with finance, legal, and operations teams to integrate tax considerations into business strategies and initiatives.

Manage relationships with external advisors, ensuring cost-effective and high-quality service delivery.

Lead and support other tax initiatives as required.

WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TEAM

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; CPA, JD, or advanced degree (Master’s in Taxation or LLM) strongly preferred.
• Experience: 8+ years of progressive tax experience with a focus on corporate federal and state income tax and audit defense, including prior leadership or team management experience.
• Industry Knowledge: Experience in automotive, manufacturing, or complex multi-state operations is a plus.
• Technical Expertise: Strong command of U.S. federal, state, and local tax regulations; experience with ASC 740 tax accounting principles.
• Technology Skills: Familiarity with tax compliance, planning, and reporting software (Avalara, SAP, OneSource or CorpTax preferred).
• Leadership Qualities: Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage complex projects, and influence senior stakeholders.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to simplify complex tax issues for non-tax audiences.
• Mindset: Strategic thinker with strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.

WHY JOIN TEAM SLATE?

At Slate, we’re fueled by grit, determination, and attention to detail. The start-up spirit of ingenuity and resourcefulness move our business forward. Team Slate fosters a culture of excellence, innovation, and mutual respect, and is motivated by shared principles.

• Safety First
• Delight Customers
• One Team
• Relentless Improvement
• Fast, Frugal, and Scrappy
• Respectful Collaboration
• Positive Legacy

WE WANT TO WORK WITH PEOPLE THAT REFLECT THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH WE OPERATE.

Slate is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Aff… We do not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, parental status, cultural background, organizational level, work styles, tenure and life experiences. Or for any other reason. Slate is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures.

If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at [e-mail].

About Us

At Slate, we’ve got one job: building a vehicle you’ll fall in love with, right here in the USA. We believe that car buyers—not car companies—should call the shots. We like looking at a road, not a screen. We don’t like paying for stuff we don’t need. We like picking out the stuff we do need. We think dings are badges, not blemishes. But we know not everyone likes what we like. So, we built you a Slate: you make it yours.