Overview
This role is part of the Managed Returns for Accountants (MRA) team within the Accounting Channel. As a Senior Tax Analyst, you will serve as the primary compliance expert and relationship anchor for a select portfolio of accounting firms. You will own the end-to-end returns experience for those firms—from onboarding through filing, notice resolution, and continuous improvement.
The position is actively focused on improving compliance work through tax expertise, process rigor, and automation.
Responsibilities
Compliance and Filing Operations
- Prepare, review, and file multi-jurisdictional sales and use tax, business and occupation, and gross receipts tax returns for monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual filing cycles
- Serve as the dedicated primary point of contact for a select portfolio of accounting firms for all returns-related questions and escalations
- Research and resolve jurisdictional tax notices on behalf of customers with clear, timely, and well-documented communication
- Perform quality assurance reviews related to sales and use tax content and jurisdiction form changes
Customer and Relationship Management
- Act as the first point of contact for accounting firm returns questions, setting clear expectations and translating complex compliance information into accessible, actionable guidance
- Own onboarding and validation of new sales and use tax returns customers to support a smooth transition into the platform
- Communicate regularly with customers, jurisdictions, and internal teams as part of research and resolution workflows
- Take full ownership of customer satisfaction, demonstrating empathy and proactive responsiveness
Process Improvement and Team Enablement
- Identify, develop, and implement automation improvements to serve customers across a variety of market and tax verticals
- Identify process and technology gaps and recommend improvements that reduce risk, increase throughput, and improve customer outcomes
- Assist with implementation, training, and documentation initiatives in support of the broader team
- Coordinate and lead training for junior-level employees, serving as a knowledge resource for troubleshooting and in-cycle risk reduction
- Apply expert knowledge of jurisdiction websites and taxpayer-facing portals, including data input nuances and system limitations
AI Bar Raiser Expectations
Senior Tax Analysts are expected to apply AI capabilities beyond basic tool usage by elevating team performance through applied AI/automation.
- Demonstrate a working command of AI-powered tools applied to tax compliance workflows, including automated return preparation, anomaly detection, notice pattern recognition, and data reconciliation
- Identify high-value opportunities to apply AI and automation to reduce manual effort, improve accuracy, and increase throughput across MRA operations
- Teach, model, and coach teammates on effective AI-assisted workflows to raise AI fluency across the team
- Critically evaluate AI outputs, with clear understanding of where automation adds value and where human judgment must remain central
- Contribute to broader AI adoption strategy within the Returns organization by piloting new approaches, documenting what works, and sharing findings across teams
- Candidates must be able to articulate how they would apply AI to elevate team performance
Requirements
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance AND a minimum of 5 years of directly related experience in multi-jurisdictional sales and use tax compliance, returns preparation, or tax operations
- Strong analytical, research, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to work through ambiguous compliance scenarios
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex tax concepts into clear guidance for accounting professionals and internal stakeholders
- Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities to meet strict filing deadlines
- Ability to learn and adapt quickly to new software applications, platforms, and tools
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, with depth in Excel (including Power Pivot, VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP, and related functions)
- Must be available and working during US business hours
Preferred Qualifications
- Advanced degree (Master’s) in Accounting, Taxation, or Finance
- Experience with a Big 4 firm, a large corporate tax department of a multinational company, or a large ERP integration
- Expert understanding of an Avalara customer’s data flow from AvaTax portal to Returns Console
- Deep understanding of platform features related to jurisdiction configuration, including nexus, exemptions, marketplace rules, filing calendars, reporting, and transaction data
- Working knowledge of transaction flow across the business and the downstream impact on returns preparation and filing
- Familiarity with returns content areas including transaction tax calculation, transaction data flow, returns mapping, and returns filing automation
Compensation & Benefits
- In addition to a compensation package, paid time off, and paid parental leave, many employees may be eligible for bonuses
- Benefits vary by location but generally include private medical, life, and disability insurance
Location
- US business hours availability is required