Principal Tax Analyst

Job Responsibilities

• Determine the appropriate questions to ask based on the unique facts, research the relevant authority, formulate a conclusion and communicate it to the stakeholders, factoring in the regulatory overlay and utility specific issues (e.g., Clean Energy Credits under the Inflation Reduction Act, tax repairs, casualty losses, penalties, nuclear decommissioning, partnership transactions);
• Develop and lead tax planning strategies using scenario modeling and/or financial analysis to improve the benefits realized from the implementation of federal, state and local tax planning strategies and determine who would receive such benefits (i.e., shareholders, ratepayers, or both);
• Fill the role of primary liaison with outside consultants on tax planning strategies;
• Lead the internal department process on monitoring, evaluating and quickly communicating the impact on the Company of proposed or enacted federal, state and local tax laws;
• Document conclusions and positions for the tax return, audit, regulatory filings, and ASC 740 Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes taking into account the unique issues faced by regulated utilities;
• Manage and facilitate IRS and FTB income tax audits, including preparing and reviewing responses and proposed adjustments and closing agreements;
• Perform detailed review of tax positions taken on Federal and State income tax, sales and use tax, gross receipts tax and excise tax returns;
• Advise and provide information and analysis on federal, state and local tax aspects of significant transactions such as acquisitions, dispositions, and financing, factoring in the regulatory overlay and its impacts to customers.

Qualifications

• Minimum: B.A. or B.S. degree (Accounting or Tax emphasis preferred); Minimum of 8 years of corporate tax experience, in either public accounting or industry;
• Desired: Strong knowledge of tax code, compliance and procedures for corporations and partnerships; Strong experience with a variety of tax operations and ability to drive process improvements; Demonstrate the ability to clearly and concisely communicate (both oral and written) technical issues to upper management, business units, IRS and FTB auditors, as well as regulators taking into account their level of tax knowledge; Demonstrate broad expertise in tax areas as well as demonstrate the ability to analyze and reach conclusions with respect to unfamiliar tax issues; Demonstrate the ability to validate a conclusion from a different angle/approach; Strong organizational and interpersonal skills; Strong ability to utilize project management and best practices to organize and prioritize tasks and the tasks of other tax team members; Knowledge of Tax Research Software, including, Bloomberg (BNA); CCH and RIA. Advanced degree preferred (e.g., MST, JD, LLM).