Tax Manager - Corporate Finance

The next part of your journey is right around the corner — with The Standard.

A genuine desire to make a difference in the lives of others is the foundation for everything we do. With a customer-first mindset and an intentional focus on building strong teams, we’ve been able to uphold our legacy of financial stability while investing in new, innovative technologies that support the needs of our customers. Our high-performance culture focused on operational excellence thrives thanks to remarkable people united by compassion and a customer-first commitment. Are you ready to make a difference?

Job Summary:

The Manager of Tax is a hands-on dynamic leader responsible for managing key tax and compliance functions within the corporate finance division. As a member of the leadership team, this role assists in creating timely, high-quality deliverables by providing leadership and direction for the company’s tax function. This role provides hands-on leadership to professional staff and oversees the compliance and provision functions. The role requires both a technical tax background as well as communication and leadership skills.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee preparation of and perform review of tax returns, including federal and state corporate tax returns, franchise tax returns, excise and gross receipts tax returns, premium tax returns, sales and use tax returns, and property tax returns. Ensure accuracy of preparation and provide quality and timely feedback to facilitate ongoing learning and training of preparers. Delegate tasks to direct reports as deemed necessary to develop our junior tax professionals. Provide technical and overall leadership to our junior tax professionals during the implementation and execution of projects and strategies. Identify, recommend and implement opportunities to reduce the Company’s Federal and State income tax liabilities. (25%)
• Oversee preparation of and perform review of complex federal and state income tax provisions based on application of GAAP and SAP. Supervise and review analysis of effective tax rate and deferred taxes for management. Oversee analysis of tax balance sheets and deferred tax balances for GAAP purposes and admitted and non-admitted balances for statutory purposes. Supervise and review the Company’s FIN 48 analysis including the schedule of UTPs and Valuation Allowance. Identify, recommend and implement opportunities to reduce the Company’s Federal and State effective tax rates. (25%)
• Delegate and oversee tax research, supporting preparers with feedback and training. Review and approve formal memorandums documenting tax positions for complex areas. Prepare written analysis, including formal memoranda, power points and other forms of written supporting documentation for senior leadership review and consideration. Provide leadership and direction to the tax professionals performing these tasks. (10%)
• Supervise tax audits and ensure that adequate resources are available to respond to all Internal Document Requests (IDRs) within a reasonable, agreed to timeframe with the appropriate taxing authorities. Supervise delegated tasks, mentor and provide technical and overall leadership to the Company’s junior tax professionals assigned to the resolution of audits with Federal and State taxing agencies. (10%)
• Conduct special studies and analyses, develop alternatives, present recommendations to management and influence management decisions. Research, analyze, develop and implement new strategies, programs, and/or processes in response to changing internal and external conditions. Participate in industry groups and professional associations (i.e. TEI, COST, ACLI) to utilize networking opportunities and develop a network of peers in the industry. (10%)
• Ensure internal controls are effective to mitigate risks associated with tax and business processes; identify and evaluate risks through understanding of compliance and regulatory requirements. Modify and update policies to ensure compliance with necessary tax and policies and procedures. Lead process improvement efforts and ensure documentation standards are maintained by team members. Identify and implement appropriate procedural changes to ensure internal control needs are met and team members are provided adequate direction. (10%)
• Develop and maintain effective and responsive communication with team members to ensure timely identification and understanding of critical performance factors. Ensure that tax engages in proactive communications and is an equal partner and trusted business advisor to the Company’s operating groups with respect to important business decisions and the implementation of the Company’s strategic tax vision.  Delegate tasks to junior tax professionals as necessary to achieve these objectives, including providing supervision, leadership and mentorship as required. (10%)

Skills and Background You’ll Need:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in accounting or other related area; Master of Taxation or JD (preferred).

Certification: CPA, Enrolled Agent (preferred)

Experience:

• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in handling complex, broad based Federal and State tax compliance, tax provision and supporting tax analysis.
• Proficient in the use of tax reporting software and tools. Ability to utilize new and changing technology to streamline and/or automate current company processes and deliverables.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to lead and develop a team.

Key Behaviors of a Successful Candidate:

Winning together: Demonstrated history of being a collaborative team player, working with a motivation towards the overall success of the team. Focused on collaboratively challenging the status quo and positively driving change.

Developing People: Strong leadership skills, with a proven record of meeting long-term goals, providing organizational motivation, and earning the respect of coworkers at all levels.

Adaptability: Exhibit behaviors of personal accountability, with a practice of addressing problems with the goal of discovering a solution.

Customer Focus: Ability to develop influential and collaborative relationships across teams, functions, and cultures.

#LI-DNI

We have built an enduring legacy of stability, financial strength and exceptional customer service through the contributions of the service-oriented people who choose to work at The Standard. To ensure we can attract and retain the best talent, when you join The Standard you can expect:

• A rich benefits package including medical, dental, vision and a 401(k) plan with matching company contributions

• An annual incentive bonus plan

• Generous paid time off including 11 holidays, 2 wellness days, and 8 volunteer hours annually — PTO increases with tenure

• A supportive, responsive management approach and opportunities for career growth and advancement 

• Paid parental leave and adoption/surrogacy assistance

• An employee giving program that double matches your donations to eligible nonprofits and schools

In addition to the competitive salary range below, our employee-focused benefits support work-life balance. Learn more about working at The Standard.

• Eligibility to participate in an incentive program is subject to the rules governing the program and plan. Any award depends on a variety of factors including individual and organizational performance.

The actual compensation for this role will be based on a combination of education and experience, knowledge and skills, position budget, internal equity, and market data.

Salary Range:

Standard Insurance Company, The Standard Life Insurance Company of New York, Standard Retirement Services, Inc., StanCorp Mortgage Investors, LLC, StanCorp Investment Advisers, Inc., and American Heritage Life Insurance Company and American Heritage Service Company, marketed as The Standard, are Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability or veteran status or any other condition protected by federal, state or local law. Except where precluded by state or federal law, The Standard will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. The Standard offers a drug- and alcohol-free work environment where possession, manufacture, transfer, offer, use of or being impaired by an illegal substance while on The Standard's property, or in other cases which the company believes might affect operations, safety or reputation of the company is prohibited. The Standard requires a criminal background investigation and employment, education and licensing verification as a condition of employment. After any conditional offer of employment is made, the background check will include an individualized assessment based on the applicant’s specific record and the duties and requirements of the specific job. Applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain and correct background information. All employees of The Standard must be bondable.