Tax Specialist

Tax Specialist

Reporting to the Associate Controller, the Tax Specialist serves as the primary information resource on tax and related compliance matters. The Tax Specialist is responsible for college-wide IRS, State and local tax compliance and reporting within the Finance organization. This includes preparing required tax filings and providing oversight and coordination to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant reporting across all college operations.

Key Responsibilities

Tax Compliance and Reporting (75%)

• Prepare and coordinate college-wide IRS tax filings, including IRS Forms 990 and 990-T, and related schedules.
• Manage complex 1042 and 1042-S compliance tracking and reporting for the college's global community. This includes determining tax withholding and treaty exemptions for international students and foreign vendors.
• Oversee compliance, reporting, and filings for other IRS Forms such as 1099s, 941s, and 1098-Ts.
• Prepare and submit monthly state and local sales and use tax filings, as well as quarterly sales and use tax rebate filings.
• Ensure timely compliance with all other applicable state, local, and county required filings.
• Respond to inquiries, notices, and audit requests from the IRS, North Carolina Department of Revenue, and other state/local tax authorities.

Policy Development and Knowledge Management (15%)

• Document, maintain, and enhance written policies and procedures regarding 990, 990-T, 1042, 1042-S, North Carolina sales/use tax, 1099s, 941s, etc. filings for reporting and reconciliation purposes.
• Develop and oversee tax compliance procedures for nonresident alien employees, students, and independent contractors, as well as fringe benefits and general employment tax procedures.
• Stay up to date on evolving federal, state, and local tax laws and regulations to ensure institutional compliance and mitigate risk.

Institutional Support and Other Duties (10%)

• Serve as a collaborative partner and tax resource for various offices and departments across campus.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned by the Controller or Associate Controllers.

Qualifications

Experience & Education

• Degree: Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field.
• Experience: 2 to 5 years of dedicated tax compliance and reporting experience.
• Sector Knowledge: Proven track record working within or auditing 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations, alongside a strong baseline knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Regulatory Skills: Demonstrated experience analyzing, interpreting, and communicating complex federal, state, and local tax regulations and laws.
• Analytical Skills: Strong analytical and critical thinking skills needed to identify and resolve complex tax issues, complete assigned projects, and prioritize high-volume workloads.
• Communication: Professional oral and written communication skills to effectively collaborate with campus partners and work cohesively within the Finance team.
• Technology: Familiarity with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) financial systems (e.g., Oracle Fusion, Workday, Banner) used in higher education or non-profit sectors.

Technical & Professional Skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation is a strong plus.
• Prior experience navigating tax complexities specifically unique to higher education institutions.

Work Setting and Hours

This position qualifies for a hybrid work arrangement with the option of working some days remotely from home/outside of the office after a satisfactory introductory period of fully in-office work. The employee will need to be flexible with scheduling in-office days to meet the needs of the office and the division, including attending various in-person meetings and events. General work hours are 8:00 – 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.