Senior Tax Analyst

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: This position is for applicants that are qualified to work in the United States indefinitely. No Visa sponsorship of any kind is available for this position.

What is the Division of Financial Services and the University Tax Office?
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 (DFS) provides central financial functions in support of the university’s academic mission. The Division of Financial Service’s 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 reports to the Vice President of Financial Services and provides guidance and training to units on federal, state, and local tax issues. The Tax office is also responsible for determining whether payments are taxable, reportable, and subject to withholding and preparing Cornell's information returns (990s), income tax returns (990Ts), tax documents reporting U.S. income subject to withholding for foreign nationals (1042s), and sales tax returns.

What you will do:

As the Senior Tax Analyst, you will support the University’s global tax compliance efforts. You will work with limited supervision/instruction from the Assistant Tax Director to:

• Gather tax reporting data, enter or compile tax data into tax preparation software, files, or documents, analyze data, and perform reconciliations of Tax Office accounts.
• Preparing assigned university tax returns, that may include U.S. and non-U.S. income and indirect tax returns, workpapers, supporting schedules, and similar documents.
• Manage and ensure timely responses to emails and phone calls received directly or through central university communications methods (e.g., [email protected]).
• With direction and guidance from the Assistant Director of Tax, and the Director of Tax, the Senior Tax Analyst is responsible for managing the receipt, analysis, and response to tax notices received by the university.
• Submission of university tax filings and responds to inquiries.
• Independently perform tax research tasks that includes reading, analyzing, and applying tax return instructions, laws, and regulations and conveying those findings to other Tax Office team members, documenting those findings in writing or email or conveying those findings to the university community or external parties.
•  The Senior Tax Analyst may be asked or permitted to assign or oversee the work product of Tax Analysts and Tax Assistants/Associates and may be responsible for first-level review of the work product of these team members.

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a psychologically 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 tax associate with a broad range of experiences, and an in-depth understanding of accounting rules and requirements and to understand and independently apply tax accounting concepts. 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 with a focus in accounting, business, finance, or a related field and minimum 5 years related experience, 3 or more years of experience in preparing U.S. federal, state, or local income or indirect tax returns or equivalent combination of education and experience. An active CPA or bar licensure in a U.S. state or territory may be used to substitute for 2 of the 3 years of required experience preparing U.S. federal, state, or local income or indirect tax returns.
• Demonstrated interest in a career in taxation and commitment to ongoing learning due to changing laws and regulations.
• Experience reading, interpreting, and analyzing tax laws, regulations and tax return instructions.
• Experience analyzing highly complex information/data and applying tax laws/rules to such data.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally, with a wide range of contacts, both internal and external; ability to work effectively with faculty, staff, students, tax authorities, and the public.
• Ability to work autonomously with minimal supervision with demonstrated initiative and judgment to independently solve problems and prioritize work in a pressured environment. 
• Demonstrated success functioning as part of a team: must be flexible and well organized.
• Ability to accomplish both broad institutional-wide projects as well as complex, individual assignments within stated deadlines.
• Discretion, tact, and good judgment for working with highly sensitive and confidential information.
• Demonstrated skills in analyzing issues and in identifying and resolving problems in a timely manner.
• Willingness to explore and implement innovations to improve business practices and procedures.
• Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing.

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

• Active CPA or bar licensure or desire to obtain or pursue CPA or bar licensure.
• Experience with non-profit taxation.

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, 12 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!

Familiarize yourself with Cornell's COVID-19 workplace guidance as well as the university's COVID-19 services and information.

University Job Title:

Finance Specialist IV

Job Family:

Fin/Budget/Planning

Level:

G

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Pay Range:

$91,686.00 - $112,061.00

Remote Option Availability:

Remote

Company:

Endowed

Contact Name:

Susie Jackson

Job Titles and Pay Ranges:

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

To learn more about Cornell’s non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator.

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell’s union wages, see Union Pay Rates.

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Employment Assistance:

For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email [email protected].

If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell University's Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX at voice (607) 255-2242, or email at [email protected].

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EEO Statement:

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University’s heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, and we do not tolerate discrimination based on any protected characteristic, including race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex/gender, 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. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law. 

Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff to all identities and backgrounds. We encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.

2024-10-18