Sales Tax Accountant - Merriam - IBT Industrial Solutions

Description

IBT Industrial Solutions is searching for engaging professionals passionate about delivering high-caliber service to our customers. We offer a rich culture fueled by highly-experienced, technically savvy individuals at the top of their field. As an employer, we recognize and reward our team with a comprehensive benefits program, flexibility through generous time off policies, and career growth opportunities.
Position Summary
We're seeking a detail-obsessed, systems-savvy Sales Tax Accountant to own day-to-day sales and use tax operations for a mid-sized, multi-state business. This role has primary responsibility for sales tax management using Avalara as the core engine (rates, exemptions, filings support, reconciliations), and will also play a major role in broader compliance and accounting responsibilities. You'll partner closely with Finance, Sales Ops, and external advisors to keep us accurate, audit-ready, and scalable. This position require a Hybrid schedule working Monday-Tuesday in office and Wednesday-Friday at home.
Key Responsibilities
Sales & Use Tax (Primary Focus)

• Own the end-to-end sales and use tax process across states/localities: configuration support, monitoring, reconciliations, and reporting.
• Administer and optimize Avalara (e.g., AvaTax, Returns, Exemption Certificate Management):
  • Maintain product/service tax codes, customer exemptions, entity/nexus settings, and jurisdiction mappings.
  • Monitor tax calculation accuracy, troubleshoot errors, and resolve transaction mapping issues with billing/ERP.
  • Manage exemption certificate workflows (collection, validation, renewals, audit-ready storage).
• Perform monthly/quarterly sales tax reconciliations:
  • Tie Avalara liability reports to the GL and revenue/billing activity.
  • Investigate variances and correct root causes (data, setup, billing, exemptions).
• Coordinate sales tax return preparation and filing through Avalara and/or outside providers:
  • Review returns, approve filings, and ensure timely payments.
  • Manage notices, correspondence, and adjustments.
• Support nexus analysis and registration needs as the business expands (new states, channels, products).

Compliance, Controls, and Risk (Significant Portion)

• Maintain a compliance calendar and ensure on-time completion of tax and regulatory filings and payments (sales/use, gross receipts, business licenses, real estate, personal property, 1099s as applicable, etc.).
• Assist with internal controls and documentation (SOX-like controls if applicable), including process narratives and evidence retention.
• Prepare and maintain audit-ready support for sales tax audits and information requests as well as coordinate related audits.
• Draft and maintain tax-related SOPs and training documentation for billing, customer setup, exemption handling, and new product rollouts.

Accounting & Cross-Functional Support

• Prepare and/or review tax-related journal entries, accruals, and balance sheet reconciliations (sales tax payable, use tax accruals, refunds/credits).
• Partner with AR, billing, and customer service to resolve tax calculation issues and customer disputes.
• Support month-end close activities as assigned (reconciliations, variance analysis, reporting).
• Provide guidance on tax impacts for new initiatives (new products, pricing models, marketplace sales, drop shipments, new fulfillment footprints).

Qualifications
Required

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 3+ years of progressive accounting experience with meaningful sales and use tax exposure (multi-state strongly preferred).
• Hands-on experience with Avalara (AvaTax/Returns/ECM) as a primary tool.
• Strong knowledge of sales/use tax concepts: exemptions, sourcing, product taxability, nexus, certificates, filings, notices.
• Proven ability to reconcile large data sets and connect subledger/tax engine outputs to the GL.
• Excellent attention to detail, documentation discipline, and ability to meet deadlines.

Preferred

• CPA, MBA or progress toward a plus.
• Experience in SaaS, eCommerce, manufacturing/distribution, or multi-entity environments.
• Familiarity with ERPs and billing platforms (NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics, Epicore, Sage Intacct, Shopify, etc.).
• Experience supporting sales tax audits and managing state/local notices.
• Comfort with data tools (Excel power functions, pivot tables; Power Query/SQL a plus).

Key Skills & Competencies

• Systems thinking: can translate business flows into correct tax outcomes.
• Ownership mentality: sees a problem and drives it to closure.
• Communication: can explain tax issues to non-tax teammates without panic or jargon.
• Process improvement: enjoys building SOPs, tightening controls, and preventing repeat issues.

Reporting & Collaboration

• Reports to: Controller
• Works closely with: Billing/AR, Sales Ops, Customer Support, FP&A, Legal/Compliance, external tax advisors

Performance Measures

• On-time, accurate filings and payments; minimal penalties/interest.
• Clean monthly reconciliations of sales tax payable and use tax accruals.
• Reduced tax calculation errors and improved exemption certificate completeness.
• Audit readiness: organized documentation, timely notice resolution, successful audit outcomes.

Work Environment / Logistics

• Hybrid schedule (in office Monday-Tuesday, remote Wednesday-Friday)
• Occasional extended hours during month-end and filing peaks
• May require periodic coordination with external providers and state agencies

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