Tax Director, State & Local Tax

BDO USA; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

BDO USA in McLean, VA is seeking a State & Local Tax Director to lead and develop SALT engagements, steward key client relationships, and partner with Principals to drive practice growth. The role emphasizes high standards of project management, technical leadership, and cross-functional collaboration with Core Tax and BD teams, while mentoring staff and contributing to business development initiatives.

You will supervise senior managers and staff, ensure timely deliverables and compliance, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required, focus in Accounting or Taxation, preferred.
• Master's degree in Accounting or Taxation, preferred.
• Juris Doctorate, preferred.
• Nine (9) or more years of prior SALT experience, required.
• Prior experience supervising tax professionals on a project or engagement basis, required.
• CPA certification or other relevant certification, preferred.

Responsibilities

• Research state tax issues and prepare formal memoranda or matrices.
• Analyze client facts and apply state guidance; strategize outreach as needed.
• Supervise SALT engagements for timely, accurate deliverables and pricing awareness.
• Ensure clients comply with authorities and minimize tax and reporting burdens.
• Represent clients before state and local tax authorities on contested issues.

Skills

Leadership

Client relationship management

Project management

Analytical thinking

Tax knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Taxation

Master's degree in Accounting/Taxation

Juris Doctorate

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Summary:

The State & Local Tax Director role is instrumental in supporting Principals and the broader SALT practice through significant contributions to team development, maintaining key client relationships, and business development. The State and Local Tax Director role will drive goals of the practice through partnerships with Principals and Managing Directors and will demonstrate high standards of project management, technical thought leadership, and client-centricity.

Job Duties:

• Research
• Identifies situations necessitating the need for additional research, and performs appropriate review of state specific statutory, regulatory and judicial guidance on the identified issue
• Analyzes and applies client specific facts to published state guidance and determines where additional outreach is needed and develops a strategy for obtaining clarification where needed (e.g., informal consults with state taxing authority, formal letter ruling request, etc.)
• Prepares formal memoranda/matrices formalizing positions relative to state tax treatment
• Partners with other Core Tax and Specialized Tax Services professionals to resolve complex and contentious state and local tax matters
• Tax Compliance
• Ensures clients comply with applicable authorities while identifying filing obligations in all areas of SALT as well as options for minimizing the client's tax and reporting burdens
• Ensures timely and accurate filing of compliance engagements
• Identifies out of scope compliance areas in need of additional workstreams (e.g., nexus study, apportionment study, taxability study, etc.) and is able to communicate effectively to stakeholders relative to pricing and need
• Tax Consulting
• Handles all state and local agency inquiries regarding all tax issues and questions
• Drafts responses to revenue agent/auditor questions and challenges
• Monitors implementations of work plans for tax consulting projects
• Provides recommended solutions by combining tax knowledge and knowledge of business / industry
• Tax Controversy
• Represents clients before state and local taxing authorities on contested tax issues
• Responds to all questions from state agencies
• Ensures accurate and timely response to tax information requests
• Tax Specialization
• Acts as an industry expert in chosen industry to be a SALT subject matter expert in that industry
• Identifies cross-selling opportunities with other BDO services
• Acts as client relationship professional for SALT services provided to designated clients
• Develops tools and/or process improvements which allow for enhanced efficiency of SALT specific services
• Accounting for Income Taxes - SFAS109
• Reviews state tax provision workpapers
• Understands and applies industry standards, along with firm policies and BDO Tax Quality Manual requirements as they relate to ASC740 and ASC450 calculations and accruals
• Recognizes, measures and documents the need for income tax and indirect tax related accruals
• Business Development
• Identifies, develops or implements solutions which reduce a client's State and Local Tax burden
• Participates in relevant industry groups
• Leads marketing campaigns and external SALT initiatives
• Collaborates with Business Development team and other strategic parties to drive SALT service offerings
• Other duties as required
• Supervisory Responsibilities:
• Supervises and reviews the day-to-day work product and utilization of SALT Senior Managers, Managers and Staff on assigned engagements
• Manages engagements to ensure engagement metrics are achieved including timely billing and DSO below 40 days
• Ensures SALT Senior Managers, Managers and Staff are trained on all relevant tax software
• Evaluates the performance of SALT Senior Managers, Managers and Staff, and assists in the development of goals and objectives to enhance professional development
• Delivers timely performance feedback, and completes performance evaluations for SALT Senior Managers, Managers and Staff
• Acts as Career Advisor to SALT Senior Managers, Managers and Staff, as appropriate

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Education:
• Bachelor's degree required, focus in Accounting or Taxation, preferred
• Master's degree in Accounting or Taxation, preferred
• Juris Doctorate, preferred
• Experience:
• Nine (9) or more years of prior SALT experience, required
• Prior experience supervising tax professionals on a project or engagement basis, required
• Prior experience preparing and/or reviewing tax provisions high, preferred
• Prior experience with corporate taxation, consolidations and partnerships, preferred
• License/Certifications:
• CPA certification or other relevant certification, preferred
• Software:
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Excel and Word, preferred
• Exposure to and familiarity with standard tax applications and research tools, preferred
• Other Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Superior analytical and research skills
• Solid organizational skills, especially the ability to meet projec