Manager, State Income Tax

The Coca-Cola Company is seeking an experienced State Income Tax Manager to join our corporate tax team. This position will be responsible for helping to manage the company's U.S. state and local income tax compliance, tax provision, audits, planning initiatives, and tax accounting processes. The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of state income and franchise tax laws, ASC 740 tax accounting, and experience operating within a complex multinational business environment.

This role will partner closely with accounting, legal, business units, and external advisors to ensure compliance, identify tax-saving opportunities, and support strategic business initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

State Income Tax Compliance

• Manage and coordinate the preparation and review of U.S. state income and franchise tax returns prepared internally.
• Oversee state tax filing calendars and ensure timely and accurate compliance with all filing requirements.
• Prepare and review state apportionment calculations, modifications, tax credits, net operating losses, and other state tax attributes.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments and assess impacts on the company's tax positions.

Tax Accounting & Provision

• Manage the state income tax components of the quarterly and annual ASC 740 income tax provision process.
• Calculate and review current and deferred state tax provisions, effective tax rate analyses, and related disclosures.
• Analyze state deferred tax assets and liabilities, valuation allowances, uncertain tax positions, and state tax contingencies.
• Support external audit requests and provide technical documentation for tax accounting positions.

State Tax Planning

• Identify opportunities to optimize the company's state effective tax rate and cash tax position.
• Analyze tax implications of business restructurings, legal entity changes, mergers, acquisitions, and other strategic initiatives.
• Support implementation of state tax planning strategies and associated documentation requirements.
• Collaborate with federal and international tax teams to evaluate the state impact of multinational transactions.

Audit & Controversy

• Manage state income tax audits and inquiries.
• Coordinate responses to information requests and negotiate audit resolutions with taxing authorities.
• Track audit exposures and maintain documentation supporting tax positions.
• Manage state tax notices and assessments through resolution.

Process Improvement & Leadership

• Drive continuous improvement of state tax compliance and provision processes.
• Partner with technology teams to enhance tax automation and data management.
• Mentor and develop tax staff and senior tax analysts.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external advisors.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or related field.
• CPA, MST, or equivalent professional designation preferred.
• Minimum 3 years of state income tax experience , including experience in a multinational corporation and/or Big Four public accounting firm.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. state income and franchise tax laws.
• Experience with ASC 740 income tax accounting.
• Experience managing tax compliance and provision processes within a complex, multi-state environment.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex tax matters clearly to both tax and non-tax stakeholders.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with tax technology platforms such as ONESOURCE and SAP.

Preferred

• Experience with state tax planning and audit defense.
• Knowledge of state tax implications of international operations.
• Experience managing third-party tax service providers and cross-functional projects.

Key Competencies

• Technical tax expertise
• Strategic thinking
• Attention to detail
• Business partnership
• Project management
• Leadership and team development
• Effective written and verbal communication
• Continuous improvement mindset

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation and annual incentive opportunities.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.
• Retirement savings programs with company match.
• Professional development and career advancement opportunities.
• Flexible work arrangements.
• Opportunity to work on complex tax matters within a leading multinational organization.

Ideal Candidate Profile: A tax professional with approximately 3 to 5 years of experience in state income tax compliance and ASC 740 tax accounting, who thrives in a fast-paced multinational environment and is looking to take ownership of critical state tax matters while partnering with senior tax and finance leadership.