Principal Tax Consultant - Senior Manager

JOB SUMMARY

This position is responsible for ensuring the quality and accuracy of routine tax assignments and special projects, including those related core tax accounting (insurance and non-insurance) and tax compliance to transactions that may arise from time to time, for Highmark Health and affiliated companies. This includes, but is not limited to issue identification, individual tax research, issue resolution and documentation, internal and external collaboration, tax planning, tax provision and tax compliance review, occasional tax assignment preparation, all with an end goal of ensuring adherence to relevant tax laws and internal controls.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensure quality of tax assignments, generally performed by other team members (but occasionally on an individual basis) on a wide range of tax matters. Ensure accuracy, completeness, and adherence to relevant tax laws, regulations, tax accounting principles and internal controls. This includes, but is not limited to reviewing tax provisions, tax returns, drafting or reviewing supporting documentation, and other tax deliverables.

• Lead quality assurance reviews of tax work related to significant transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures.

• Identify, mitigate and navigate potential tax risks associated with transactions and special projects.

• Provide guidance and training to junior tax staff as needed.

• Support the development and maintenance of internal tax procedures and controls.

• Perform tax research and planning on assigned special projects as needed. This may include research on proposed or recently enacted legislation.

• Provide advice on the tax implications of proposed transactions and business activities, as needed.

• Write memoranda and prepare audit-ready documentation to support the positions taken on the tax returns and the benefits recognized in the financial statements under ASC 740, focusing on review and quality control of existing documentation.

• Manage tax uncertainty and risk by reviewing third-party tax opinions and various other types of tax advice. Maintain a sound internal control environment over the company’s tax planning activities, as needed.

• Assist in properly reporting (on tax returns and/or financial statements) the impact of tax planning strategies, and participate in defending tax positions upon audit and resolving tax notices, providing quality assurance review of the defense strategy and documentation.

• Other duties as assigned or requested.

EXPERIENCE

Required

• 7 years of relevant progressive experience in the area of specialization, with significant experience in quality assurance/control or supervisory roles

• Tax accounting (ASC 740), tax compliance and planning experience either in a corporate tax department or public accounting firm; proven experience in reviewing the work of others.

Preferred

• Auditing experience or accounting experience

• Statutory accounting experience and knowledge of insurance taxation

SKILLS

• Knowledge of federal taxes (corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies, trusts, tax-exempt organizations, property and casualty insurance companies, employee benefits, etc.); state and local taxes and regulations for many jurisdictions; Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP); and Statutory Accounting Principles (SAP).

• Ability to coordinate knowledge in tax, GAAP and statutory accounting to review transactions and assess the impacts of those transactions

EDUCATION

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or relevant experience and/or education as determined by the company in lieu of a Bachelor's Degree.

Preferred

• Master's degree in Taxation or Business

LICENSES or CERTIFICATIONS

Required

• None

Preferred

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

Language (Other than English):

None

Travel Required:

Less than 25%

PHYSICAL, MENTAL DEMANDS and WORKING CONDITIONS

Position Type

Office-Based or Remote Position

Physical work site required

Frequently

Disclaimer: The job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and essential duties and responsibilities of work performed by employees within this job title. It may not contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to do this job.

Compliance Requirement: This job adheres to the ethical and legal standards and behavioral expectations as set forth in the code of business conduct and company policies.

As a component of job responsibilities, employees may have access to covered information, cardholder data, or other confidential customer information that must be protected at all times.  In connection with this, all employees must comply with both the Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) as described in the Notice of Privacy Practices and Privacy Policies and Procedures as well as all data security guidelines established within the Company’s Handbook of Privacy Policies and Practices and Information Security Policy. 

Furthermore, it is every employee’s responsibility to comply with the company’s Code of Business Conduct. This includes but is not limited to adherence to applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations as well as company policies and training requirements.

Pay Range Minimum:

Pay Range Maximum:

Base pay is determined by a variety of factors including a candidate’s qualifications, experience, and expected contributions, as well as internal peer equity, market, and business considerations.  The displayed salary range does not reflect any geographic differential Highmark may apply for certain locations based upon comparative markets.