AVP, Tax

Overview of Position

The AVP, Tax directs and manages the Assurant companies’ tax functions in different locations.  This individual is responsible for carrying out the day to day tax operations within the organization.  This individual has sign-off responsibility subject to final approval by the SVP or VP. 

What will be my duties and responsibilities in this job? 

Tax Accounting (35%)

• Oversees the preparation and review of the quarterly and yearend tax provisions with special emphasis on compliance with accounting for income tax rules and guidelines, such as ASC 740, ASC 450, SSAP 101, APB 28, FIN 48, etc.

• AVP, Tax must keep current on accounting for income tax pronouncements and update relevant members of the tax team. 

• Works closely with VPs in Accounting to discuss GAAP and non-GAAP reporting.

• Reviews, analyzes, and presents GAAP and non-GAAP reporting for MCOM and external stakeholders.

• The Tax AVP deals directly with external auditors (PWC).

• Actively participates in Global Finance Forum with AVP and VP peer group to discuss various finance topics including employee survey results, EBITDA metrics, etc.

SOX Compliance (15%)

• Recommends and reviews relevant controls for specific tax processes to ensure that all tax internal controls are in place and operating effectively (Sarbanes-Oxley compliance).

• Coordinates with internal audit to review controls annually and discusses effectiveness/operation, as requested.

Tax Compliance (20%)

• Oversees the preparation, the review, and the final sign off for the consolidated tax return, including all necessary attachments and forms.

• Oversees the preparation and review of estimated tax and extension calculations for the consolidated tax return.

• Oversees the preparation and the review of proforma federal income tax returns for the NY Tax Department, including all necessary attachments and forms. 

• The Tax AVP works closely with IRS auditors to resolve issues in a timely manner and create favorable outcomes for Assurant (Assurant is a Large Corporation audited by the IRS’ Large Business and International Division). 

• Manages day to day tax support of asset management including main tax contact for RE ventures and CLOs, answer ad hoc questions on compliance filings, and review and distribute K1s for US tax return filings.

People Management (15%)

• Provides leadership and manages the work activities of the NY Tax Department. 

• Develops and coaches’ staff, maintains a teamwork environment. 

• Works closely with management team members and works to sustain relationship with outside consultants.

Tax Consulting (15%)

• Provide timely and accurate tax consulting, including timely response to inquiries, work closely with other departments (legal, compensation, etc.) on specific issues as they arise, and be an active participant in various teams (international, M&A, etc.).

• Advise on various M&A deals from due diligence phase to closing and transition and coordinate with Accounting, Legal, and Integration teams.

• Prepares slides, discusses and brainstorms ideas, gives feedback on presentations to MCOM and AC which demonstrates a deep understanding of the business and how to present complex tax topics to executives.

• Manages several tax models including taxable income projections including attribute utilization, Holdco cash flows, OECD Pillar II, and the federal audit cycle.

Responsibility for the work of others

• 1 direct report; Manager or Sr Manager or Director

• Up to 2 indirect reports

Financial responsibility

• Assists SVP or VP in preparing and analyzing departmental budgets as appropriate or required.

What are the requirements needed for this position?

• Requires a Bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field, or equivalent work experience. 

• CPA certification

• Requires proven proficiency in tax research and tax consulting.

• Requires proven tax technical proficiency.

• Requires the ability to remain proficient in current tax developments.

Knowledge and Skills

• Requires knowledge in utilizing tax return and tax provision software.

• Requires knowledge in utilizing tax research software (CCH, BNA, etc.)

• Requires proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint.

• Required to maintain CPE (Continuing Professional Education) requirements.

Previous Experience

• Requires a minimum of 8 plus years of progressive tax experience in a medium to large company.

• Big 4 accounting firm experience.

• Requires experience building and maintaining numerous business relationships, including those with senior management.

• Requires excellent oral, written and presentation skills to effectively communicate complex tax technical issues in understandable terms to all levels within the organization.

• Requires strong time management skills to prioritize multiple projects and meet various tax deadlines.

• Requires the ability to be flexible under pressure and multitask as needed to meet deadlines.

• Requires strong leadership abilities to develop, lead, and direct professional staff in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable employment laws.  This includes responsibilities such as interviewing and training employees; planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding, motivating and disciplining employees; and addressing complaints and resolving problems.

What other skills/experience would be helpful to have?

• Master’s in taxation or a related field is desired but not required. 

Advanced Certifications:

• Certified Management Accountant (CMA) or Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certification.

• Additional certifications in specialized tax areas (e.g., International Tax, State and Local Tax).

Industry Experience:

• Experience in the insurance industry

• Experience with multinational corporations and cross-border tax issues.

Technical Skills:

• Proficiency in advanced data analysis tools (e.g., SQL, Python, R) for tax data analytics.

• Experience with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle).

Soft Skills:

• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.

• Demonstrated ability to drive process improvements and efficiencies.

• High level of integrity and ethical standards.

Leadership and Development:

• Proven track record of mentoring and developing junior staff.

• Experience in leading cross-functional teams or projects.

Communication and Collaboration:

• Ability to influence and collaborate with senior leadership and other departments.

• Strong negotiation skills and the ability to manage external advisors and consultants.

#AssurantProudMS

Pay Range:

Any posted pay range considers a wide range of compensation factors, including candidate background, experience and work location, while also allowing for salary growth within the position.

Expected application deadline is

If date is blank then this is a pipeline requisition, and we will continue to collect applications on an ongoing basis.

Helping People Thrive in a Connected World
Connect with us. Bring us your best work and your brightest ideas. And we’ll bring you a place where you can thrive. Learn more at jobs.assurant.com.

For U.S. benefit information, visit myassurantbenefits.com. For benefit information outside the U.S., please speak with your recruiter.

What’s the culture like at Assurant?
Our unique culture is a big reason why talented people choose Assurant. Named a Best/Great Place to Work in 13 countries and awarded the Fortune America’s Most Innovative Companies recognition in 2023, we bring together top talent around the world. Although we have a wide variety of skills and experiences, we share common characteristics that are uniquely Assurant. A passion for service. An ability to innovate in practical ways. And a willingness to take chances. We call our culture The Assurant Way.

Company Overview
Assurant is a leading global business services company that supports, protects, and connects major consumer purchases. A Fortune 500 company with a presence in 21 countries, Assurant supports the advancement of the connected world by partnering with the world’s leading brands to develop innovative solutions and deliver an enhanced customer experience through mobile device solutions, extended service contracts, vehicle protection services, renters insurance, lender-placed insurance products, and other specialty products.

Equal Opportunity Statement
Assurant is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and does not use or consider race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law in employment decisions.