Corporate Tax Accountant

Applied Optoelectronics is seeking a Corporate Tax Accountant to support corporate tax compliance, tax reporting, government inquiries, tax-related reconciliations, government grant compliance and reporting, and process improvement within the Controller’s organization. This is a newly created position designed to reduce dependency on outside advisors, improve internal tax ownership, and support the company’s increasing tax complexity as a public, manufacturing-focused organization.

The ideal candidate is a hands‑on corporate tax professional with strong federal and state income tax experience, public accounting or corporate tax experience, and the ability to operate independently in a complex environment. This person will support tax compliance, quarterly and annual tax reporting, R&D tax credits, property tax, sales and use tax, government incentive documentation, tax account reconciliations, and external auditor/advisor coordination.

This role is best suited for someone who is detail‑oriented, deadline‑driven, comfortable with ambiguity, and capable of building structure where processes are still developing.

• Support federal and state income tax compliance, including preparation, review, documentation, and coordination of tax filings, extensions, estimates, and related work papers.
• Assist with quarterly and annual tax provision activities, including tax reporting support required for public company financial reporting.
• Prepare tax‑related schedules, documentation, and support for Form 10‑Q and Form 10‑K tax disclosures in coordination with the Director of Financial Reporting.
• Support tax account reconciliations, tax journal entries, deferred tax schedules, accruals, and other tax‑related close activities.
• Coordinate with external tax advisors, auditors, and internal stakeholders to gather data, resolve questions, and ensure timely completion of tax deliverables.
• Support R&D tax credit documentation, analysis, and reporting, including coordination with internal technical, finance, and external advisory teams as needed.
• Support tax‑related compliance, documentation, and audit readiness for government incentives, grants, credits, subsidies, and local economic development programs.
• Support federal, state, and local tax audits, including gathering documentation, preparing schedules, responding to information requests, and coordinating with internal stakeholders and external advisors.
• Assist with responses to tax notices, government inquiries, audits, adjustments, and compliance requests, with appropriate internal review and approval.
• Support property tax filings, renditions, assessments, and related documentation.
• Support sales and use tax compliance, research, filings, reconciliations, and documentation as applicable.
• Assist with manufacturing‑related tax matters, including fixed assets, depreciation, credits, incentives, inventory‑related tax support, and other operational tax considerations.
• Maintain and improve tax calendars to ensure awareness of filing deadlines, reporting obligations, documentation requirements, and compliance timelines.
• Develop and maintain tax SOPs, workpaper templates, documentation standards, and process controls.
• Support tax‑related internal controls and control documentation in coordination with the Controller and Financial Reporting team.
• Coordinate with international finance teams and external advisors on tax documentation, intercompany activity, foreign subsidiary information requests, and transfer pricing support as needed.
• Research tax issues and summarize findings, risks, deadlines, and recommendations for management review.
• Identify opportunities to improve tax processes, reduce manual effort, improve documentation quality, and strengthen internal tax knowledge.

Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Taxation, or a related field.
• 4+ years of relevant tax, accounting, or corporate finance experience.
• Experience with federal and state corporate income tax compliance.
• Experience preparing or supporting tax work papers,…