Tax Analyst, Controller's Office - UT System (Temporary Position)
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Knoxville, TN
Full-time
Accounting
Posted on April 11, 2024
Tax Analyst, Controller's Office - UT System (Temporary Position)
Market Range 10
About the UT System
The University of Tennessee System is comprised of campuses at Knoxville, Chattanooga, Pulaski and Martin; the Health Science Center at Memphis; the Space Institute at Tullahoma; and the statewide Institute of Agriculture and Institute for Public Service. The UT System enrolls about 54,000 undergraduate and graduate students statewide, and more than 13,000 students graduate from UT campuses each year with bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and professional degrees, and is committed to providing undergraduate, graduate, and professional education programs in a diverse learning environment that prepares students to be leaders in a global society.
The UT System has a presence in each of Tennessee’s 95 counties. Through the combined force of education, research and outreach, the University serves students, business and industry, schools, governments, organizations and citizens statewide.
The Opportunity
This temporary Tax Analyst I position provides guidance for the University on sales tax matters. The University is a dynamic and complex organization and reports and pays taxes to various Federal and State agencies. The greatest volume of tax returns are the University's Tennessee sales tax location accounts across the state. This position is responsible for processing approximately 90 to 100 of these sales tax location returns. The Tax Analyst I prepares the sales tax IRIS entries and check requests that are reviewed by the Tax Manager. This position will also prepare multiple amusement tax, occupancy tax, transient vendor tax, and TV & Telecommunication tax returns. In addition to filing the monthly returns, this position supports the Tax Manager with new account creation, old account closure, amended returns, sales tax audits and other analysis projects at the request of the Tax Manager. The Tax Analyst I communicates with departments/locations regarding filings and participates in training conducted for individuals at the University tasked with sales tax reporting. This position will routinely collaborate and support responsibilities of other Tax Analysts in the department.
Position responsibilities include, but not limited to the following:
- Gather information from departments across the state for monthly sales tax reporting.
- Request physical checks and mails hard copies of amusement and occupancy tax returns each month.
- Review and communicate any errors and obtain corrected sales tax returns before submitting all sales tax returns for review by the Tax Manager before being submitted in the state of Tennessee's "TNTAP" software by the 20th of each month.
- Prepare IRIS entry spreadsheets for Sales & Use and TV & Telecommunications Taxes that will be reviewed by Tax Manager.
- Keep excellent records of 90+ accounts for audit/controversy purposes.
- Collaborate and support responsibilities of other Tax Analysts.
- Communicate and participate in training conducted for individuals at the University tasked with sales tax reporting.
- Open new accounts and close old accounts, as needed.
- Prepare amended returns as needed for gross sales adjustments or errors reported by various departments.
- Track sales tax refunds and credits from month-to-month; confirm departments receive refunds properly via SA document.
- Review questions and inquiries from various departments regarding sales tax compliance and reporting.
- Research and perform analysis for various sales tax topics.
Qualifications :
Required Qualifications:
An associate’s degree is required.
Two years of accounting experience is required with knowledge of college and university organizational structure.
Software experience including SAP or other similar integrated information systems, Microsoft Office products, and proficiency with tax research software is needed.
The successful candidate must be able to withstand deadline pressure, handle multi-tasks, be a team player, and collaborate with others to create and communicate standardized tax procedures. Meeting internal deadlines are essential in this role so that the tax area of the Controller's Office is able to meet external deadlines. Strong analytical skills with the capability to further develop analytical skills and provide adhoc reporting surrounding University data. The successful candidate will be flexible in assisting the Tax Manager with requests as needed.
Additional requirements include:
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- The ability to create adhoc reports
- Excellent customer service skills
- The ability to work well independently
- The ability to multi-task, meet deadlines, and collaborate with others
A bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field is preferred. University experience and knowledge of higher education organizational structures is also preferred. Knowledge of the current status of sales tax requirements with an emphasis on matters specifically affecting the tax exempt community is desired.
Preferred skills include confidence, when dealing with figures of authority (both internal and external), research skills and networking skills. Knowledge of Tennessee sales tax is preferred. Knowledge of tax law as it pertains to higher education is preferred, but not required. Strong communication skills in assisting others with various tax questions. Strong analytical skills with the capability to further develop analytical skills and provide adhoc reporting surrounding University data. Skills with the following are preferred—SAP or other similar integrated information systems, Microsoft Office products including the proficiency with Excel, and proficiency with tax research software. Knowledge of University account structure and attributes is preferred.
Application Process
For full consideration applications should be accompanied by a letter of interest, resume and three references. Review of applications will begin immediately.
Compensation for this temporary position will be competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience within the established market range.
