Senior Tax Associate

Finance Specialist IV

This position is located in Ithaca, New York. The successful candidate will have the option to perform this role remotely at a location of their choosing within the United States.

The New York Convenience of employer guidelines require New York State individual tax reporting and withholdings for this position. Additional individual state income tax filings may also be required if working outside New York State.

Note: No Visa sponsorship is available for this position.

The Division of Financial Services (DFS) provides central financial functions in support of the university's academic mission. The University Tax Office is responsible for managing the federal, state, and international tax compliance for Cornell University and its related entities and acting as a resource to the University for tax-related issues.

Reporting to the Assistant Tax Director, the Senior Tax Associate supports the institution's tax compliance reporting and related advisory to the campus community as well as administrative and accounting matters related to federal, state, local, and international tax laws and regulations.

The Senior Tax Associate will be responsible for:

• Providing support to ensure all of the University's and certain affiliates' tax returns are prepared, submitted, and paid on a timely basis with the appropriate taxing authority.
• Providing support for specific transactions and/or circumstances for payroll, accounting, and other University departments.
• Assist with providing guidance to DFS Tax and Payroll staff on tax-related activities.
• Supporting the Assistant Tax Director with tax reporting compliance and strategy, including researching, monitoring, and interpreting current and proposed legislative tax developments, regulations, court cases, and issues related to colleges and universities.
• Assist in reviewing and monitoring the University activities for potential unrelated business activities to ensure compliance with tax regulations.
• Assist in researching and advising departments on tax consequences of new and proposed activities, including but not limited to, unrelated business income, nonresident alien, employment reporting, and withholding issues.
• Providing support for monitoring the University's activity outside the U.S. and foreign tax reporting responsibilities.
• Assist in reviewing the University accounting system, contracts, and transactions to identify and advise on tax considerations.
• Assist with coordinating and responding to tax-related information requests from internal and external parties.
• Assist with providing training to the campus, business service center staff, and financial administrative staff concerning tax and other related regulatory and policy issues.
• Assisting with tax audits and tax settlement negotiations.
• Assist with providing advice to international faculty/student population, visiting researchers, and guest lecturers, including guidance on U.S. income and employment tax withholding and reporting requirements for payments made to non-resident aliens, and the application of tax treaty benefits.

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

You will support the University's global tax compliance efforts. You will work with limited supervision/instruction from the Assistant Tax Director to:

• Gather tax reporting data, enter or compile tax data into tax preparation software, files, or documents, analyze data, and perform reconciliations of Tax Office accounts.
• Preparing assigned university tax returns, that may include U.S. and non-U.S. income and indirect tax returns, workpapers, supporting schedules, and similar documents.
• Manage and ensure timely responses to emails and phone calls received directly or through central university communications methods.
• With direction and guidance from the Assistant Director of Tax, and the Director of Tax, the Senior Tax Associate is responsible for managing the receipt, analysis, and response to tax notices received by the university.
• Submission of university tax filings and responds to inquiries.
• Independently perform tax research tasks that includes reading, analyzing, and applying tax return instructions, laws, and regulations and conveying those findings to other Tax Office team members, documenting those findings in writing or email or conveying those findings to the university community or external parties.
• The Senior Tax Associate may be asked or permitted to assign or oversee the work product of Tax Analysts and Tax Assistants/Associates and may be responsible for first-level review of the work product of these team members.

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a psychologically healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

Note: The person in this position will be expected to work additional hours outside standard university operating hours including nights, weekends and holidays as business needs require. All employees are accountable for supporting the organization's values of collegiality, integrity, initiative, excellence, civility, and stewardship; and supporting inclusive and sustainable practices in carrying out everyday responsibilities. Employees will participate in performance evaluations including dialogues, 360-degree surveys, assessments, etc.

What we need: We are seeking a resourceful and team-oriented tax associate with a broad range of experiences, and an in-depth understanding of accounting rules and requirements and to understand and independently apply tax accounting concepts. You will have a passion for detailed work and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment. Additionally, you will have:

• Bachelor's degree required, preferably in Accounting, Finance, or a related field with minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in federal, state, and local tax compliance, including at least 5 years of experience preparing tax returns and related filings or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience reading, interpreting, and analyzing tax laws, regulations, and tax return instructions
• Proven ability to analyze complex data and apply applicable tax laws and regulations
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including faculty, staff, students, tax authorities, and the public
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, exercising sound judgment and initiative to prioritize and resolve issues in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as part of a team; flexible, well-organized, and able to perform under pressure
• Ability to manage both institution-wide projects and complex individual assignments while meeting established deadlines
• Proven ability to manage multiple competing priorities and deadlines effectively
• Demonstrated discretion, tact, and sound judgment in handling highly sensitive and confidential information
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify issues and implement timely, effective solutions
• Willingness to identify and implement process improvements and efficiencies
• Commitment to ongoing professional development in response to evolving tax laws and regulations
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

If you have all those things, great! We have a few more items that we would prefer you to have, but not required:

• JD, MBA, or MS with a concentration in Taxation
• CPA designation preferred
• Demonstrated experience in one or more of the following areas:
• Federal and/or state taxation of not-for-profit organizations and related issues
• State income and indirect taxes
• Assisting with federal and/or state tax audits
• Experience within a major public accounting firm serving higher education or non-profit clients, or in-house experience on a non-profit tax team

What we offer:

Great benefits that include educational benefits, access to a plethora of wellness programs, employee discounts with local and national retail brands, health care options to choose from, generous paid leave provisions: 3 weeks of vacation, 14 university paid holidays (including end of year winter break through New Year's Day) and superior retirement contributions.

An active and diverse community to work and thrive in, Cornell is situated in picturesque Ithaca, New York, the heart of the Finger Lakes. Ithaca is home to two academic institutions, state parks, waterfalls, gorges, and a wide range of art galleries, theaters, eateries, wineries, and