Manager, Tax Accounting & PayrollLocationFergus Falls, MN
Salary grade 15
Otter Tail Power Company is seeking a strategic and collaborative accounting leader to manage our Tax Accounting and Payroll functions. In this role, you'll lead a talented team responsible for income tax, property tax, sales and use tax, tax forecasting, renewable energy incentives, payroll operations, and related regulatory and financial reporting support.
This position plays an important role in supporting financial planning, regulatory outcomes, accurate and timely payroll, and strategic business decisions while partnering across Accounting, Business Planning, Regulatory, Treasury, Human Resources, Legal, Operations, and Corporate.
This position will report to the Controller.
Key Responsibilities- Lead, coach, and develop a team responsible for income tax, property tax, sales and use tax, and payroll operations.
- Oversee tax accounting, reporting, compliance, and filing activities, including current and deferred taxes, tax depreciation, tax credits, regulatory balances, and related financial statement disclosures.
- Provide management oversight and direction to the Payroll Supervisor, ensuring payroll is processed and funded accurately and timely for union and nonunion employees and supplemental pension payroll.
- Oversee payroll tax filings and regulatory reporting, compliance with federal and state requirements and collective bargaining agreements, payroll reconciliations, internal controls, and administration of payroll and time-entry systems.
- Collaborate with executives, Corporate, and business partners to develop and implement tax strategies and advise on the tax implications of major investments, financing activities, and strategic initiatives.
- Provide tax leadership for rate cases, regulatory proceedings, tax forecasting, budgeting, and long-range financial planning in partnership with Business Planning, Regulatory, Treasury, and Accounting.
- Evaluate tax legislation, utility tax normalization requirements, and renewable energy incentives for financial, regulatory, and strategic impacts.
- Ensure compliance with GAAP, FERC requirements, SOX, internal controls, tax laws and regulations, payroll requirements, and other financial reporting obligations.
- Identify and lead process, system, reporting, and data governance improvements that enhance accuracy, efficiency, and scalability across tax and payroll.
What We're Looking ForRequired Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in Accounting or a related field.
- Eight or more years of progressively responsible experience in corporate taxation, tax accounting, public accounting, auditing, or a related tax function.
- Prior leadership experience with responsibility for supervising, coaching, and developing employees.
- Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local tax laws; current and deferred income tax accounting; and corporate income, property, and sales/use tax accounting, compliance, planning, and reporting.
- Ability to research, analyze, interpret, and communicate complex tax, payroll, accounting, regulatory, and business matters and provide clear recommendations.
- Demonstrated ability to develop talent, build collaborative relationships, lead through change, and foster an accountable and high-performing team culture.
Preferred Qualifications- CPA designation.
- Five or more years of leadership experience, including supervising, coaching, developing, and managing accounting, tax, or payroll professionals.
- Experience leading or overseeing payroll operations, payroll accounting, payroll tax compliance, payroll funding, reconciliations, wage and deduction reporting, and compliance with applicable federal and state requirements.
- Utility industry experience and knowledge of FERC accounting, utility regulatory accounting, ratemaking, or regulatory proceedings.
- Experience with multi-state taxation, deferred tax normalization, tax forecasting, financial planning, and renewable energy tax incentives, including Production Tax Credits, Investment Tax Credits, and transferable credits.
- Knowledge of union payroll, time-entry requirements, collective bargaining agreements, employee benefits, and compensation-related payroll processes.
- Experience with enterprise resource planning, payroll, time-entry, tax provision and compliance, and financial reporting systems, along with internal controls and process improvement initiatives. Experience with Oracle, UKG Pro, PowerTax, or similar systems is beneficial.
What We OfferWe believe employment is a partnership and we expect excellence from our talented employees. To support our employees and help drive their career experience and goals.
- Competitive wage & benefit package.
- The expected offer for base compensation for this role is $117,000 - $161,000 annually. The actual compensation within the compensation range will vary based on factors relevant to the position.
- Incentive plans
- Employee Stock Ownership options
- Retirement Savings Fund with employer match
- Health, disability and life insurance plan options
- Our employees are provided training and development opportunities each year, including education reimbursement. This includes safety - one of our values and key to our success - technical, compliance and developmental training.
- Career development is critical to our long-term success. Otter Tail Power employees have opportunities to participate in various leadership development programs, gain access to an a la carte online leadership course catalog, receive mentorship from current leaders and more!
- Mental health support from the experts at SupportLinc as well as competitive vacation and sick leave to ensure employees are at their best when they're working.
To apply, visit our careers page at www.otpco.com. Applications accepted through October 23, 2026.
This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship at this time.
