Senior Tax Accountant

The Senior Tax Accountant will collaboratively work with leaders across the organization to accomplish departmental and organizational goals and objectives. The Senior Tax Accountant will be responsible for preparation, review and support of a variety of Tax Department functions and processes including but not limited to the corporate federal and state income tax accounting and reporting, tax return information for multiple life insurance legal entities, supporting premium tax returns preparation, and ad hoc requests. The individual will support AVP-Tax with various audits including the IRS, state and local jurisdictions, as well as internal controls processes and various tax related documentation for the internal auditors. The Senior Tax Accountant will partner to build positive relationships with Financial Reporting, Investment Accounting, Treasury, Actuarial, Financial Planning and Analysis, and other departments as necessary to complete the above requirements and meet the business objectives.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Prepares and reviews journal entries. Gathers information and reviews state/local premium tax, analyzes quarterly state income taxes.
• Prepares general ledger tax account reconciliations
• Completes various monthly calculations and quarterly closing responsibilities including financial statements disclosures.
• Calculates and reviews admitted deferred tax assets (liabilities), utilizing thorough knowledge of NAIC Statutory SSAP 101 tax provision and GAAP ASC 740.
• Assists with Tax Provision software process automation.
• Prepares and reviews Excise reinsurance tax returns and tax payments.
• Partners with Treasury Team staff to ensure all tax payments are timely processed and recorded in the accounting system
• Partners with and builds relationships within stakeholders in the organization to obtain information for federal, state and local tax returns.
• Coordinates the outsourced premium tax filings processes.
• Assists with the analysis of withholding tax processes outsourced to a third-party administrator.
• Maintains excellent and thorough tax records for internal and external audit purposes and historical documentation purposes.
• Documents tax related internal controls.
• Supports the Tax, Financial Reporting, and Accounting Teams and other departments on an as needed basis.
• Willingly takes on additional responsibilities as requested in order to accomplish department and Company objectives.
• Actively participates and contributes to the goals and objectives of the Company by working collaboratively and fostering a positive and inclusive work environment.

Skills and Abilities:

• Advanced knowledge of Excel, Word, PowerPoint, ERP systems, and corporate tax provision applications.
• Intermediate understanding of insurance company taxation.
• Exceptional judgment and decision making skills given the impact that tax decisions.
• Ability to work in a team setting and independently.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion give access to highly sensitive and confidential information.
• Advanced communication skills and the ability to build positive relationships throughout the organization.
• Proven ability to present information and analyses in a concise and effective manner.
• Advanced problem-solving skills.
• Accurate; ability to self-audit.
• Continual drive to keep current with tax laws, regulations and best practices.
• Advanced attention to detail, with the ability to audit one's own work and the work of others.
• Ability to lead self autonomously with minimal direction or guidance.

Training or Work Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of corporate taxation with a tax department or public accounting; 7 preferred.
• Minimum 3 years of Life insurance and/or annuity experience required.
• Minimum 3 years of finance or economics experience.
• Strong knowledge of corporate tax accounting processes, experience with corporation Form 1120, Form 1120-PC or Form 1120-L tax return preparation and review.
• Prior experience assisting or leading the development, facilitation and completion of forecasts, budgets, and financial models required.
• Tax Provision Software process improvement and automation experience preferred.

Education:

• Bachelors Degree required- Accounting or Finance
• Master of Science in Taxation preferred
• CPA preferred

Working Conditions:

• On-Site Location: Chicago, Illinois
• Mostly off-site
• Business Travel: Occasional travel (5-10% of the time)

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EquiTrust is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in the U.S. Federal E-Verify program. Applicants have rights under federal and state employment laws. To learn more, visit