Executive Director, Tax

8589BR

Finance & Administration

Controllers Office

Job Summary

Provide strategic leadership and direction in the area of tax reporting and compliance, including the preparation of required tax filings and charitable organization forms for RIT, its subsidiaries and related entities. Serve as the University tax resource, including evaluating tax strategies, developing policies to ensure compliance with tax laws and regulations, and overseeing the preparation of analysis and reporting for the University’s tax position, including those affecting the audited financial statements, tax-exempt debt, and federal, state and international tax liabilities.                          

Job Responsibilities

• Oversee the preparation, review and filing of the IRS Forms 990 and 990-T, CHAR 500 and related foreign tax forms (e.g., Form 5713), including the gathering of necessary information from multiple departments university-wide, working with tax service providers, preparing tax-related calculations, and performing detail and quality reviews for all tax-related work-product.
• Oversee the monitoring of unrelated business income (UBI) tax exposures; including analyzing and developing strategies to manage potential sources and assessing private use implications for activities identified as UBI. Oversee the preparation and filing of required state income tax returns (40+ returns annually). Lead the coordination of tax-related activities between the tax and endowment teams and external tax consultants and work with appropriate subject matter experts to respond to questions and formulate a well-documented tax position regarding alternative investment portfolio.
• Research tax issues and new legislation affecting tax-exempt organizations by using the Internal Revenue Code, regulations, rulings, case law, and other relevant authorities/guidance. Collaborate in the development of new and revision of existing policies to enhance University compliance with federal, state and international tax laws and regulations, including UBI. Oversee the preparation of tax-related disclosures in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and technical tax memoranda documenting the University’s income tax positions.
• Provide oversight for the preparation and filing of sales and use taxes. Maintain sales, use tax exemptions in various states, review, and approve sales tax remittances and forms (e.g. ST-809 and ST-810). Provide guidance regarding the applicability of New York State sales tax on the sale of goods or services. Coordinate with third party service organization on applicable filings of all out-of-state sales and use tax filings.
• Manage staff responsible for coordinating with Human Resources and Payroll activities and filings (withholdings, unemployment, etc.) related to domestic and international employees and independent contractors. Develop processes to support University policies and procedures, including, domestic and international remote work locations.
• Review independent contractor determinations for compliance with IRS worker classification rules and make final determinations.
• Respond to and resolve notices from the IRS, state, local and international tax authorities. Represent the University in tax audits. Act as liaison with other departments and the tax team in filing foreign revenue reporting (Value Added Tax activity), foreign exemptions and IRS Form 6166.
• Provide training and educational sessions to university employees and maintain relevant and useful content in the Controller’s Office website to enhance understanding of tax- related matters, in both domestic and foreign contexts to promote university compliance. Manage the annual management self-assessment (MSA) for tax reporting; ensure that all processes and procedures relating to tax preparation are current.

Required Qualifications

Education/Experience:

BS degree in Accounting or related field required; CPA, MBA, or MS in a related discipline strongly preferred. Eight to ten years’ experience in federal, state and international tax policy and compliance matters as they relate to a tax-exempt university, including unrelated business income tax and tax-exempt debt financing; as well as general accounting functions, including preparing, reviewing, or analyzing financial statements. A combination of education and experience will be considered.

Skills:

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and ability to professionally interact with both external customers and internal team members.
• Highly motivated and driven.
• Strong analytical skills, attention to detail and time management skills.
• Ability to deliver results in a fast-paced environment; understand the various risks the organization faces and recommend practical and effective solutions.
• Enterprise wide financial applications experience and PC-based computer skills, including advanced knowledge of MS Office products.
• Ability to capably present information to senior management and third-party stakeholders as well as the ability to examine and re-engineer internal controls, formulate policy, develop and implement new strategies and procedures.
• Work independently with minimal supervision and exercise professional judgement in carrying-out all assigned responsibilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Preference given to individuals who have significant management and administration experience in non-profit or higher education.

Required Minimum Education Level

Bachelors or Equivalent Experience

Work Location

Hybrid — Remote/On-campus

Employment Category

Fulltime

Required Application Documents

Cover Letter, Curriculum Vitae or Resume, List of References

What do we believe at RIT?

Rochester Institute of Technology is a diverse and collaborative community of engaged, socially conscious, and intellectually curious minds. Through creativity and innovation, and an intentional blending of technology, the arts and design, we provide exceptional individuals with a wide range of academic opportunities, including a leading research program and an internationally recognized education for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. We are dedicated to building a diverse community, one where employees feel a sense of belonging, and are valued for their contributions and the perspectives they bring.

As a member of the RIT community, you’ll receive a comprehensive employee benefits package that offers multiple options and access to additional employment advantages. You can tailor your benefit elections to meet your needs (affordable medical/dental/vision benefits; paid vacation/sick time/retirement saving plan with exceptional employer match; and tuition assistance for you and your family, to name a few).

Department/College Description

The Controller’s Office (CTO), an organization within the Finance and Administration division, is comprised of accounting and financial professionals who work together to provide accurate, timely, and actionable information and services to our customers while acting as good stewards of the university’s financial resources.

How To Apply

In order to be considered for this position, you must apply for it at: http://careers.rit.edu/staff . Click the link for search openings and in the keyword search field, enter the title of the position or the BR number.

Additional Details

In compliance with NYS’s Pay Transparency Act, the salary range for this position is listed above. Rochester Institute of Technology considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as, market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The hiring process for this position may require a criminal background check and/or motor vehicle records check. Any verbal or written offer made is contingent on satisfactory results, as determined by Human Resources. RIT does not discriminate. RIT promotes and values diversity, pluralism and inclusion in the work place. RIT provides equal opportunity to all qualified individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, age, marital status, sex, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, veteran status or disability in its hiring, admissions, educational programs and activities. RIT provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities under the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the New York Human Rights Law, or similar applicable law. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the Human Resources office at 585-475-2424 or email your request to [email protected]. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Hourly/Salary Minimum

91100

Hourly/Salary Maximum

152600