Tax Manager

Kemper; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A specialized insurer in Chicago seeks a Tax Team contributor to manage state and local tax filings, ensuring compliance with financial regulations. Responsibilities include leading tax return preparation, analyzing financial implications, and mentoring team members. Candidates should have at least 5 years of experience in insurance tax functions or public accounting, with strong skills in Excel and familiarity with ERP systems. This position fosters a positive impact on the company’s tax strategy and provides a collaborative work environment.

Qualifications

• 5 years of relevant experience in an insurance company's tax function or within a public accounting firm's tax practice.
• Experience with Premium Taxes and Premium Pro or equivalent systems.
• Strong verbal communication ability and experience in technical writing.

Responsibilities

• Leads and assists with state and local tax return preparation and filing.
• Assists with assessing tax and financial statement implications of activities.
• Leads process improvement and/or technology implementation projects.

Skills

Tax compliance

Analytical skills

Process improvement

Technical writing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field

Tools

Excel

Power BI

Alteryx

Workday

Job description

Kemper is one of the nation’s leading specialized insurers. Our success is a direct reflection of the talented and diverse people who make a positive difference in the lives of our customers every day. We believe a high-performing culture, valuable opportunities for personal development and professional challenge, and a healthy work-life balance can be highly motivating and productive. Kemper’s products and services are making a real difference to our customers, who have unique and evolving needs. By joining our team, you are helping to provide an experience to our stakeholders that delivers on our promises.

This role is a Tax Team contributor responsible for reviewing, analyzing and preparing, filing and accounting for various State and Local tax filings including but not limited to: premium taxes, municipal taxes, guaranty fund assessments, use taxes, property taxes and other insurance-related filings. This role ensures compliance with applicable tax rules and financial reporting standards and assists in the implementation of best practices to optimize the company’s tax position across many jurisdictions.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Leads and assists with state and local tax return preparation and filing.
• Assists with assessing tax and financial statement implications of activities and events, whether actual or proposed, and seeks to optimize outcomes.
• Reviews and prepares journal entries, account reconciliations and related analysis.
• Leads, coordinates and executes tax payments.
• Manages interactions with tax authorities and other external parties.
• Creatively and regularly utilizes information services and avenues to obtain insights and answer questions related to tax, software and other matters.
• Leads process improvement and/or technology implementation projects.
• Mentors and develops other team members.

Qualifications

• 5 years of relevant experience in an insurance company's tax function or within a public accounting firm's tax practice.
• Experience with Premium Taxes and with Premium Pro or equivalent systems.
• Working knowledge of cloud-based ERP environments, preferably Workday.
• Strong working knowledge of Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• Proven ability to manage deadlines and work independently in a fast-paced, matrixed and change-oriented environment.
• Strong analytic and reasoning ability, including analyzing and reviewing tax law and making recommendations.
• Proven process‑improvement and documentation track record.
• Good verbal communication ability. Experience in technical writing.
• Ability to identify, analyze and logically frame issues.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Experience with Alteryx and/or Power BI a plus