Lead Tax Analyst

Lead Tax Accountant

JOB SUMMARY

Responsible for all aspects of the tax compliance function and tax accounting function, including the performance of tax research and planning. In performing these duties, the individual will need to keep abreast of changes in tax law and will be expected to identify tax issues and opportunities.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for government mandated tax filings for Highmark Health and subsidiaries, both wholly and jointly owned.
  • Assure the timely completion and remittance of tax filings in accordance with both internal and external deadlines.
  • Responsible for the necessary calculations supporting the tax filings for which detailed work papers and documentation are maintained to back-up such calculations. Responsible for the necessary forms, as well as any necessary attachments and/or elections related to the tax filings using the applicable software.
  • Identify both issues and opportunities providing a resolution/recommendation to Tax Management.

• Responsible for tax provisions (GAAP & STAT) of Highmark Health and Subsidiaries, both wholly and jointly owned.
  • Assure the timely completion of tax provisions in accordance with both internal and external deadlines.
  • Responsible for the necessary calculations, including (but not limited to) current calculations, deferred calculation roll forwards, effective tax rate reconciliations, tax account roll forwards, uncertain tax positions, etc., supporting the tax provisions (monthly/quarterly/year-end) for which detailed work papers and documentation are maintained to back-up such calculations.
  • Responsible for the necessary financial statement disclosures
  • Identify both issues and opportunities providing a resolution/recommendation to Tax Management.

• Perform tax research/planning for Highmark Health and subsidiaries, both wholly and jointly owned.
  • Assist in research and planning functions so as to determine the tax consequences and effectively communicate to the applicable parties.

• Responsible for tax forecasts of Highmark Health and subsidiaries, both wholly and jointly owned.
  • Responsible for the necessary calculations supporting the tax forecasts for which detailed work papers and documentation are maintained to back-up such calculations.

• Responsible for management of federal and state/local examinations.
• Display effective communication skills.
  • Provide and assist Tax Management in the representation of Highmark Health and subsidiaries, both wholly and jointly owned, before applicable government authorities
  • Provide and assist Tax Management with periodic meetings including with the subsidiaries to discuss business and tax issues/opportunities.
  • Provide and assist Tax Management with external auditors
  • Provide and assist Tax Management with the providing of direction, counseling, and instruction to other Tax Staff.

• Keep abreast of changes in tax law at all levels of government, in order to provide guidance on the actual or potential impact of such change.
  • Responsible for researching various legislation summaries, tax journals and tax-related publications, as well as on-line databases, and provide pertinent information to impacted areas/parties.

EDUCATION

Required

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting

Substitutions

• 6 years of related and progressive experience in lieu of Bachelor's degree

Preferred

• Master's Degree in Business Administration or Taxation

EXPERIENCE

Required

• 7 years in the area of specialization, including experience in leading projects of varying size and complexity (exempted experience requirements effective August 2016)
• Tax accounting (ASC 740), tax compliance and planning experience either in a corporate tax department or public accounting firm

Preferred

• Auditing experience or accounting experience.
• Statutory accounting experience and knowledge of insurance taxation
• Knowledge of federal taxes (corporations, partnerships, trusts, tax-exempt organizations, property and casualty insurance companies, life insurance companies, employee benefits, individual taxes, etc.)
• Knowledge of state and local taxes and regulations for a multitude of jurisdictions
• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP); and Statutory Accounting Principles (SAP)
• Ability to coordinate knowledge in tax, GAAP and statutory accounting to design transactions and communicate the impacts of those transactions.

LICENSES or CERTIFICATIONS

Preferred

• Licensed attorney OR
• CPA