Sales Tax Analyst

Darden; Orlando (FL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Darden is seeking a Sales Tax Analyst to prepare monthly sales/use tax returns and supporting workpapers for our restaurant portfolio. You will research variances between tax collected and paid, maintain accruals, and assist with SOX compliance.

Regular communication with vendors and jurisdictions will be essential to resolve issues and ensure accuracy. Responsibilities include filing returns, updating CorpSales, generating reconciliations, and supporting tax planning projects.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of sales tax or accounting experience in public accounting or comparable industry experience.
• Knowledge of sales tax preparation and research software.
• Strong computer skills, including Word and Excel.

Responsibilities

• Compliance – Prepare and file relevant sales/use/liquor tax returns and supporting workpapers; ensure data accuracy for import into CorpSales and timely filings.
• Accounting – Ensure proper accounting for tax accruals, payments and other tax-related expenses; prepare journal entries and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Assist SFA with SOX compliance; investigate variances in sales tax collections vs paid amounts; prepare workpapers and provide data upon request.
• Respond to inquiries from taxing authorities; research and respond to notices; document and track findings.
• Vendor research – respond to taxability questions from internal stakeholders and external vendors on tax invoice disputes.
• Tax Exempt review and analysis for sales tax-exempt sales; report quarterly compliance to brands.
• Maintain Sales Tax Rate Listing; prepare Resale and Sales Tax Exemption Certificates.
• POS setup – update POS with new restaurants and taxability/rate changes; reconcile POS to GL as appropriate.
• Assist with special research projects and communicate results to management; document findings and recommendations.

Skills

Sales tax knowledge

Excel

Accounting

Education

Bachelor's Degree (Accounting/Finance preferred)

Tools

Sales tax software

Job description

Job Overview

Prepare the monthly sales/use tax returns and supporting work papers. Research and document variances of sales tax collections vs sales tax paid amounts for return accuracy and SOX compliance. Support SFA with sales/use tax planning projects and sales/use/liquor tax audits. Ensure data accuracy. Communicate with external vendors (i.e. suppliers and jurisdictions) to resolve issues. Account for sales tax accruals, payments and other tax-related expenses. Prepare monthly reconciliations.

Roles And Responsibilities

• Compliance – Prepare and file relevant sales/use/liquor tax returns and supporting workpapers. Prepare necessary data files ensuring accuracy for import into CorpSales. Update CorpSales as needed. Make certain filings and payments are remitted timely and accurately. Maintain monthly calendar.
• Accounting – Ensure proper accounting for tax accruals, payments and other tax-related expenses; prepare applicable journal entries and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Assist SFA with SOX compliance. Investigate variances in sales tax collections vs paid amounts. Prepare workpapers and provide necessary data upon request.
• Works autonomously in responding to inquiries from taxing authorities. Research and respond to jurisdictional notices. Document and track findings.
• Vendor Research – Research and respond to taxability questions from internal stakeholders and external vendors on tax invoice disputes.
• Tax Exempt review and analysis for sales tax‑exempt sales. Report quarterly compliance to brands.
• Maintain Sales Tax Rate Listing.
• Prepare Resale and Sales Tax Exemption Certificates.
• Point of Sale System Setup - Update POS system with new restaurants and taxability and rate changes. Research legislative support for rate changes and provide restaurant support as needed. Review sales tax collection issues and reconcile POS to general ledger as appropriate.
• Special Projects – Assist with special research projects as required and communicate results effectively to management. Document findings and recommendations.

Required Technical Skills

• Minimum 2 years of sales tax or accounting experience in public accounting or comparable industry experience
• Knowledge of sales tax preparation and research software
• Strong computer skills, including Word and Excel

Required Education

• Bachelor’s Degree (Accounting/Finance preferred)

Other Key Qualifications

• Ability to handle multiple priorities in efficient manner
• Ability to work independently
• Outstanding organizational skills
• Highly self‑motivated with the ability to quickly learn and apply new concepts.
• Strong communication skills both verbal and written. Ability to communicate effectively with taxing authorities, analysts, IT and accounting departments and restaurant managers
• Attention to detail

Preferred Skills And Experience

• Masters of Tax or Accounting
• CPA License
• Knowledge of Sales & Use Tax (Vertex) or Property Tax software and Oracle
• Discoverer, Hyperion, Business Intelligence, Alteryx and RPA experience is a plus