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Tax Director, State & Local Tax

BDO USA, LLP
United States, California, Costa Mesa
600 Anton Boulevard (Show on map)
Dec 10, 2025
Job Summary: The State & Local Tax Director role is instrumental in supporting Principals and the broader SALT practice through significant contributions to team development, maintaining key client relationships, and business development. The State and Local Tax Director role will drive goals of the practice through partnerships with Principals and Managing Directors and will demonstrate high standards of project management, technical thought leadership, and client-centricity. Job Duties: Research Identifies situations necessitating the need for additional research, and performs appropriate review of state specific statutory, regulatory and judicial guidance on the identified issue Analyzes and applies client specific facts to published state guidance and determines where additional outreach is needed and develops a strategy for obtaining clarification where needed (e.g., informal consults with state taxing authority, formal letter ruling request, etc.) Prepares formal memoranda/matrices formalizing positions relative to state tax treatment Partners with other Core Tax and Specialized Tax Services professionals to resolve complex and contentious state and local tax matters Tax Compliance Ensures clients comply with applicable authorities while identifying filing obligations in all areas of SALT as well as options for minimizing the client's tax and reporting burdens Ensures timely and accurate filing of compliance engagements Identifies out of scope compliance areas in need of additional workstreams (e.g., nexus study, apportionment study, taxability study, etc.) and is able to communicate effectively to stakeholders relative to pricing and need Tax Consulting Handles all state and local agency inquiries regarding all tax issues and questions Drafts responses to revenue agent/auditor questions and challenges Monitors implementations of work plans for tax consulting projects Provides recommended solutions by combining tax knowledge and knowledge of business / industry Tax Controversy Represents clients before state and local taxing authorities on contested tax issues Responds to all questions from state agencies Ensures accurate and timely response to tax information requests Tax Specialization Acts as an industry expert in chosen industry to be a SALT subject matter expert in that industry Identifies cross-selling opportunities with other BDO services Acts as client relationship professional for SALT services provided to designated clients Develops tools and/or process improvements which allow for enhanced efficiency of SALT specific services Accounting for Income Taxes - SFAS109 Reviews state tax provision workpapers Understands and applies industry standards, along with firm policies and BDO Tax Quality Manual requirements as they relate to ASC740 and ASC450 calculations and accruals Recognizes, measures and documents the need for income tax and indirect tax related accruals Business Development Identifies, develops or implements solutions which reduce a client's State and Local Tax burden Participates in relevant industry groups Leads marketing campaigns and external SALT initiatives Collaborates with Business Development team and other strategic parties to drive SALT service offerings Other duties as required Supervisory Responsibilities: Supervises and reviews the day-to-day work product and utilization of STS SALT Senior Managers, Managers and Staff on assigned engagements Manages engagements to ensure engagement metrics are achieved including timely billing and DSO below 40 days Ensures STS SALT Senior Managers, Managers and Staff are trained on all relevant tax software Evaluates the performance of STS SALT Senior Managers, Managers and Staff, and assists in the development of goals and objectives to enhance professional development Delivers timely performance feedback, and completes performance evaluations for STS SALT Senior Managers, Managers and Staff Acts as Career Advisor to STS SALT Senior Managers, Managers and Staff, as appropriate Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Education: Bachelor's degree required, focus in Accounting or Taxation, preferred Master's degree in Accounting or Taxation, preferred Juris Doctorate, preferred Experience: Nine (9) or more years of prior SALT experience, required Prior experience supervising tax professionals on a project or engagement basis, required Prior experience preparing and/or reviewing tax provisions high, preferred Prior experience with corporate taxation, consolidations and partnerships, preferred License/Certifications: CPA certification or other relevant certification, preferred Software: Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Excel and Word, preferred Exposure to and familiarity with standard tax applications and research tools, preferred Other Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Excellent verbal and written communication skills Superior analytical and research skills Solid organizational skills, especially the ability to meet project deadlines with a focus on details Ability to successfully multi-task while working independently or within a group environment Ability to work in a deadline-driven environment and handle multiple projects simultaneously Capable of effectively managing a team of tax professionals, and delegating work assignments, as needed Capacity to build and maintain strong relationships with internal and client personnel Ability to encourage team environment on engagements, and contribute to the professional development of assigned personnel Executive presence and ability to act as primary contact on assigned engagements Ability to successfully interact with professionals at all levels Advanced knowledge of appropriate application of tax standards to ensure effective and efficient delivery of tax services Advanced knowledge of sources of relevant information utilized in tax filings Advanced knowledge and understanding of cause/effect for taxable conditions on clients and the potential tax issues