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

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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Non-Union Positions

Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience

• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position

• Unique applicable skills

• Academic Discipline

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EEO Statement:

Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of "... any person ... any study." No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual's genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.