Associate Director, Tax Accounting

Come join one of America's fastest-growing insurance companies. Since 1848, National Life Group has aimed to keep our promises, providing families with stability in good times and in bad. Throughout that history, we have provided peace of mind to those families as they plan their futures.

Our mission extends beyond the insurance and annuities policies that we offer. We strive to make the world a better place through our grants from our charitable foundation, paid volunteer time for our employees, environmentally sustainable and healthy workplaces, and events that promote the work of nonprofits in our own backyard.

We foster a collaborative environment with opportunities for growth and encourage our associates to live our values:
Do good. Be good. Make good.

Please note that we do not offer visa sponsorship for this position.

Role Summary

The Associate Director plays a key leadership role within the tax function and is responsible for managing the income tax provision and return related activities, ensuring accurate tax reporting, timely compliance with federal, state, and local tax requirements, and strong internal controls across the tax function.

This is a hands-on leadership role with the opportunity to broaden technical tax experience, strengthen team leadership skills, and contribute to tax planning, audit support, and special projects in a dynamic corporate environment. The Associate Director reports directly to the Director of Corporate Tax.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

* Lead the income tax provision and reporting process under ASC 740 and SSAP 101, including related tax entries, disclosures, reconciliations, and supporting documentation.

* Lead tax forecasting, effective tax rate analysis, and other ad hoc tax reporting and modeling needs.

* Oversee federal, state, and local income tax compliance, including return preparation, review, filing coordination, and return-to-provision analysis.

* Review tax deliverables, improve processes, and strengthen internal controls to support accuracy, efficiency, and compliance.

* Manage external tax advisors to ensure timely, high-quality, and cost-effective tax engagements.

* Support tax planning initiatives by identifying opportunities to optimize the company's tax position and mitigate risk.

* Conduct technical tax research and provide guidance on compliance, reporting, and business matters.

* Respond to audits and regulatory inquiries while monitoring changes in tax laws and industry-specific requirements.

* Collaborate with Financial Reporting, Accounting, Investment, Legal, PF&A and other internal stakeholders to provide tax insights on business operations and initiatives.

* Mentor and coach tax team members, supporting technical development, accountability, and achievement of departmental goals.

Minimum Qualifications

* Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required; CPA or Enrolled Agent required.

* 5 to 10 years of U.S. federal income tax experience required; life and annuity insurance industry experience and public accounting experience strongly preferred.

* Strong experience with income tax provision and tax compliance, including federal, state, and local tax matters.

* Strong knowledge of ASC 740 and SSAP 101 tax accounting and disclosure requirements.

* Advanced Excel skills required; experience with One Source Tax Provision, One Source Income Tax, and Workday preferred.

* Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and develop tax professionals.

* Excellent analytical, communication, organization, and project management skills.

Benefits

* Your benefits start day one and are flexible and customizable to your and your family's specific needs. Check out the BENEFITS of a Career at National Life!

Base Pay Range.  The base pay range for this position is the range National Life reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for the position taking into account the wide variety of factors, including: prior experience and job-related knowledge; education, training and certificates; current business needs; and market factors.  The final salary or hourly wages offered may be outside of this range based on other reasons and individual…