Tax Director, State & Local Tax

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 project deadlines with a focus on details

Ability to successfully multi-task while working independently or within a group environment

Ability to work in a deadline-driven environment and handle multiple projects simultaneously

Capable of effectively managing a team of tax professionals, and delegating work assignments, as needed

Capacity to build and maintain strong relationships with internal and client personnel

Ability to encourage team environment on engagements, and contribute to the professional development of assigned personnel

Executive presence and ability to act as primary contact on assigned engagements

Ability to successfully interact with professionals at all levels

Advanced knowledge of appropriate application of tax standards to ensure effective and efficient delivery of tax services

Advanced knowledge of sources of relevant information utilized in tax filings

Advanced knowledge and understanding of cause/effect for taxable conditions on clients and the potential tax issues

At BDO, how we show up matters. We build strong relationships by supporting one another, our clients, and our communities with care, curiosity, and a commitment to helping one another grow and succeed. Here, you’ll find meaningful work, leaders invested in your success, and opportunities to build a career around what matters most to you.

Our purpose is to be the people our clients count on to grow with confidence and achieve what matters most. Our values guide how we bring that purpose to life each day. Together, they shape how we work with one another, serve our clients, and create meaningful impact.

BDO provides assurance, tax, and advisory services to clients across the U.S. and around the world. No matter your role, you’ll be part of a team helping clients navigate complexity and move forward with clarity.

As technology continues to shape how we work, BDO values the ability to apply generative and agentic AI solutions to develop work products, improve workflows and identify potential risks. Across our firm, we emphasize professional judgment in validating AI-generated outputs for accuracy, quality, and compliance.

We are proud to be an ESOP company, offering participants a stake in the firm’s success through beneficial ownership and a unique opportunity to enhance their financial well-being. As a qualified retirement plan, the ESOP is a meaningful addition to our comprehensive compensation and Total Rewards benefits* offerings. It also reinforces an ownership mindset that strengthens our connection to one another, our clients, and the future we’re building together.

Learn more about our benefits: BDO Total Rewards encompass more than traditional benefits. Click here to find out more !

*Benefits may be subject to eligibility requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets Click here to find out more !