Principal Tax Consultant - Senior Manager

Company :

Highmark Health

Job Description : JOB SUMMARY This position is responsible for ensuring the quality and accuracy of routine tax assignments and special projects, including those related core tax accounting (insurance and non-insurance) and tax compliance to transactions that may arise from time to time, for Highmark Health and affiliated companies. This includes, but is not limited to issue identification, individual tax research, issue resolution and documentation, internal and external collaboration, tax planning, tax provision and tax compliance review, occasional tax assignment preparation, all with an end goal of ensuring adherence to relevant tax laws and internal controls.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES Ensure quality of tax assignments, generally performed by other team members (but occasionally on an individual basis) on a wide range of tax matters. Ensure accuracy, completeness, and adherence to relevant tax laws, regulations, tax accounting principles and internal controls. This includes, but is not limited to reviewing tax provisions, tax returns, drafting or reviewing supporting documentation, and other tax deliverables.

Lead quality assurance reviews of tax work related to significant transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures. Identify, mitigate and navigate potential tax risks associated with transactions and special projects. Provide guidance and training to junior tax staff as needed.

Support the development and maintenance of internal tax procedures and controls. Perform tax research and planning on assigned special projects as needed. This may include research on proposed or recently enacted legislation. Provide advice on the tax implications of proposed transactions and business activities, as needed. Write memoranda and prepare audit-ready documentation to support the positions taken on the tax returns and the benefits recognized in the financial statements under ASC 740, focusing on review and quality control of existing documentation.

Manage tax uncertainty and risk by reviewing third-party tax opinions and various other types of tax advice. Maintain a sound internal control environment over the company’s tax planning activities, as needed.

Assist in properly reporting (on tax returns and/or financial statements) the impact of tax planning strategies, and participate in defending tax positions upon audit and resolving tax notices, providing quality assurance review of the defense strategy and documentation. Other duties as assigned or requested.

EXPERIENCERequired7 years of relevant progressive experience in the area of specialization, with significant experience in quality assurance/control or supervisory roles

Tax accounting (ASC 740), tax compliance and planning experience either in a corporate tax department or public accounting firm; proven experience in reviewing the work of others.

Preferred Auditing experience or accounting experience

Statutory accounting experience and knowledge of insurance taxationSKILLSKnowledge of federal taxes (corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies, trusts, tax-exempt organizations, property and casualty insurance companies, employee benefits, etc.); state and local taxes and regulations for many jurisdictions;
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP); and Statutory Accounting Principles (SAP). Ability to coordinate knowledge in tax, GAAP and statutory accounting to review transactions and assess the impacts of those transactionsEDUCATIONRequired

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or relevant experience and/or education as determined by the company in lieu of a Bachelor's Degree. Preferred Master's degree in Taxation or BusinessLICENSES or CERTIFICATIONS Required None Preferred Certified …