Tax Research Consultant

Job Description:

This position is responsible for being an indirect tax subject matter expert in serving as the main interface between Customer Support and Tax Research related to customer inquiries in relation to our Vertex products. The position will triage all inquiries, seek to resolve without the need to send to Tax Research. If the inquiry ultimately needs to go to Tax Research, ensure complete and quality information is included. Respond to customer tax content issues to develop solutions. This position serves as an elevation point for both departments to resolve concerns and will drive continuous improvement in the customer inquiry process between Customer Support and Tax Research.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Analyze customer inquiries at the jurisdictional, imposition and transactional level to identify core issues.

• Evaluate the customer inquiry by researching and interpreting complex tax and case law for US/Canada transaction taxes with the goal to resolve to mitigate the need for it to be sent to Tax Research

• Ability to interpret tax laws and regulations and determine how they apply to Vertex products

• Knowledge and understanding of Indirect Tax rules and regulations that impact tax calculation and compliance; demonstrate expertise in determining accurate taxability decision to solution and/or triage a customer’s case.

• Check customer inquiries for completeness & quality about the tax matter that is being questioned. Obtain missing information or have submitting Analyst address quality or completeness issues.

• Understand and resolve complex customer issues and systems architecture to develop solutions.

• Demonstrated ability to translate and communicate complex or difficult tax concepts to others in a plain and understandable manner.

• Work without supervision and has wide latitude for independent judgment.

• Support a dynamic team environment by collaborating with other departments, contributing time, effort, and ideas.

• Establish effective processes and best practices for knowledge sharing and communication.

• Guide overall team activity to support team/business objectives.

• Develop and direct plans for improving team performance.

• Clarify how change will help the organization meet business goals and articulate benefits of change.

• Demonstrated ability to establish strong, credible, cross-functional working relationships in a fast-paced, collaborative corporate culture.

• High level of ethics, integrity, judgment, discretion, and confidentiality.

• Strong aptitude to detailed information.

• Ability to meet deadlines.

• Effectively work in multi-jurisdictions/regions.

• Must be results oriented, customer focused and able to manage multiple high-visibility or high-impact projects simultaneously.

• Interaction with customer as needed to seek to understand their inquiry to resolve the issue more effectively.

• Answer content-related issues that a front-line Customer Support Analyst is unable to resolve.

• Mentor Customer Support staff on relevant Tax Research department requirements for customer inquiries.

• Inform Tax Research staff appreciate the customers’ point of view and needs, and how these translate into Customer Support work and constraints.

• Help resolve concerns or issues between the departments (or department employees) related to a specific customer inquiry.

• Test complex tax content and functionality within Vertex products and internal databases.

• Participate in other projects or duties.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• N/A

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Proficiency with Vertex products is required.

• Experience with ERP systems is a plus (Oracle, SAP, PeopleSoft, etc.)

• Strong analytical skills and extensive cross country technical Indirect Tax experience.

• Understands product development methodologies.

• Exposure to broad spectrum of taxes and jurisdictions a plus.

• Excellent communication (oral, written, presentation and facilitation) skills.

• Ability to handle complex tax content in a multi-tasking environment, perform research, interact, and communicate with individuals/groups at all levels within the organization.

• Must be results oriented, customer focused and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously. 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office packages is required.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Tax/Accounting/Finance/Data Scientist/Tax Technology

• Experience with Vertex or other tax engines

• 8 - 10 years in a multi-jurisdictional environment.

• Or equivalent combination of education and/or experience.

• Advanced degree, law degree or professional certification a plus.

• CPA, CMI or legal experience preferred.

• Experience in tax consulting, compliance, audit defense and controversy a plus.

• Or equivalent combination of education and/or experience

Other Qualifications
The Winning Way behaviors that all Vertex employees need in order to meet the expectations of each other, our customers, and our partners.

• Communicate with Clarity - Be clear, concise and actionable. Be relentlessly constructive. Seek and provide meaningful feedback.

• Act with Urgency - Adopt an agile mentality - frequent iterations, improved speed, resilience. 80/20 rule – better is the enemy of done. Don’t spend hours when minutes are enough.

• Work with Purpose - Exhibit a “We Can” mindset. Results outweigh effort. Everyone understands how their role contributes. Set aside personal objectives for team results.

• Drive to Decision - Cut the swirl with defined deadlines and decision points. Be clear on individual accountability and decision authority. Guided by a commitment to and accountability for customer outcomes.

• Own the Outcome - Defined milestones, commitments and intended results. Assess your work in context, if you’re unsure, ask. Demonstrate unwavering support for decisions.

COMMENTS:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals in this position. Other functions may be assigned, and management retains the right to add or change the duties at any time.