Tax Manager

This position is located in Ithaca, New York. The successful candidate will have the option to perform this role remotely at a location of their choosing within the United States.

The New York Convenience of employer guidelines require New York State individual tax reporting and withholdings for this position. Additional individual state income tax filings may also be required if working outside New York State.

Note: No Visa sponsorship is available for this position.

Cornell University, unique among peers, is the federal land-grant institution of New York State, a private endowed university, and a member of the Ivy League

The Division of Financial Services and the University Tax Office:
The Division of Financial Services (DFS) provides central financial functions in support of the university’s academic mission, and its vision is, "To deliver world-class financial services to the university."  Day in and day out the Division of Financial Services strives to adhere to this vision by promoting an environment where best practices are championed, and our employees are empowered to do their best work in all areas of financial service. The University Tax Office is responsible for managing the federal, state, and international tax compliance for Cornell University and its related entities and acting as a resource to the University for tax-related issues.

What you will do:

Reporting to the Assistant Tax Director, the Tax Manager serves as the institution’s primary resource for tax compliance reporting and related advisory to the campus community as well as administrative and accounting matters related to federal, state, local, and international tax compliance.

The Tax Manager is responsible for:

• Under the guidance of the Assistant Tax Director, providing management, guidance, and oversight to members of the tax team and payroll staff on tax matters.
• Managing tax reporting compliance and strategy, including researching, monitoring, and interpreting current and proposed legislative tax developments, regulations, court cases, and issues related to colleges and universities.
• Reviewing and monitoring University activities, especially ancillary services, and potential unrelated business activities, to ensure compliance with tax regulations. Researching and advising faculty, staff, and students on the tax consequences of new, existing and proposed activities, including but not limited to, unrelated business income tax, nonresident alien tax, sales tax and payroll tax issues.
• Monitoring the university’s activity outside the U.S. and managing foreign tax reporting responsibilities.
• Reviewing the University accounting system, contracts, and transactions to identify and advise on tax considerations; evaluating risks with an understanding of the budgetary impact of compliance on university departments.
• Ensuring all global applicable tax returns are prepared and paid/filed by the University and certain of its affiliates/subsidiaries on a timely basis with the appropriate taxing authority.
• Coordinating and responding to all tax-related information requests from internal and external parties.
• Providing sound decision support for specific transactions and/or circumstances for payroll, accounting, and other financial departments as well as supply management, fundraising areas and other Cornell offices as needed.
• Act as the primary point of contact for tax compliance vendors.
• Preparing or reviewing the University’s global tax returns, including but not limited to unrelated business income tax/corporate income tax, sales/use tax, VAT/GST, payroll tax, and excise tax returns. 
• Providing training to the campus, business service center staff, and financial administrative staff concerning tax and other related regulatory and policy issues.
• Acting as the primary point of contact for tax audits, inquiries, and notices, ensuring timely and complete responses.
• Providing advice to international faculty/student population, visiting researchers and guest lecturers, including guidance on U.S. income and employment tax withholding and reporting requirements for payments made to nonresident aliens, and the application of tax treaty benefits.

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

Note: The person in this position will be expected to work additional hours outside standard university operating hours including nights, weekends and holidays as business needs require. All employees are accountable for supporting the organization’s values of collegiality, integrity, initiative, excellence, civility, and stewardship; and supporting inclusive and sustainable practices in carrying out everyday responsibilities. Employees will participate in performance evaluations including dialogues, 360-degree surveys, assessments, etc.

What we need:
We are seeking a resourceful and team-oriented professional with basic understanding of accounting rules and demonstrable experience with preparing or managing tax compliance in a complex global organization. You will have a passion for detailed work and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment. Additionally, you will have:

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in Accounting, Finance, or a related field with minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in federal, multi-state, and local tax compliance, including at 5 least years of experience preparing tax returns and related filings or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong knowledge of the US federal and/or state income or indirect tax compliance, laws and principals.
• Foundational understanding of international income or VAT/GST tax concepts and issues.
• Proficiency with personal computers, including advanced use of spreadsheet and database software.
• Demonstrated ability to oversee tax-related systems and ensure data integrity.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively present complex tax concepts to a broad range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively as part of a team; flexible, well-organized, and able to perform effectively under pressure.
• Ability to manage both large, institution-wide initiatives and complex individual assignments within established deadlines.
• Experience supporting and assisting in the defense of tax authority audits.
• Ability to develop and implement policies and procedures to mitigate tax risk.
• Demonstrated discretion, sound judgment, and ability to handle highly sensitive and confidential information.

• Strong problem-solving and negotiation skills, with the ability to identify issues and drive timely, effective resolution.
• Demonstrated skill in understanding cultural differences.

If you have all those things, great! We have a few more items that we would prefer you to have, but not required:

• JD, MBA, or MS with a concentration in Taxation
• CPA designation
• Prior supervisory or team leadership experience.
• Proficiency with using AI tools for tax research.
• Demonstrated experience as a tax return preparer or manager in a high-volume in-house tax compliance department or public accounting team.
• Demonstrated experience in one or more of the following areas:
  • Federal and/or state taxation of not-for-profit organizations and related issues
  • State income and indirect taxes
  • Managing payroll tax compliance.
  • Managing federal and/or state tax audits
  • Experience within a major public accounting firm serving higher education or non-profit clients, or in-house experience on a non-profit tax team.

What we offer:

Great benefits that include educational benefits, access to a plethora of wellness programs, employee discounts with local and national retail brands, health care options to choose from, generous paid leave provisions:  3 weeks of vacation, 14 university paid holidays (including end of year winter break through New Year’s Day) and superior retirement contributions.

An active and diverse community to work and thrive in, Cornell is situated in picturesque Ithaca, New York, the heart of the Finger Lakes. Ithaca is home to two academic institutions, state parks, waterfalls, gorges, and a wide range of art galleries, theaters, eateries, wineries, and breweries. Ithaca has something to suit all ages and interests!

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Cornell Cooperative Extension is a collaboration among Cornell University, the United States Department of Agriculture, the State of New York, and the residents of New York State. Per NYS Law, county and regional extension service associations are subordinate government agencies. This employment opportunity is with the entities listed and not with Cornell University.

Notice to Applicants: Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement. This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell Cooperative Extension as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.