Director of Tax

Overview

Summit Utilities, Inc. is a growing natural gas utility serving in Arkansas, Colorado, Maine, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. Summit has been recognized by multiple awards and is committed to safety, excellence, innovation, and serving communities. The role may be hybrid from offices in Little Rock, Fort Smith, or Fayetteville, Arkansas;
Portland, Maine; or Lawton, Oklahoma, and is also open to remote candidates based in Texas.

This position is responsible for managing all state, local, and federal tax filings. The ideal candidate is an initiative-taking collaborator who partners with other areas of the business to provide tax support and guidance. The Director of Tax will ensure compliance with federal, state, and local tax laws and work with accounting leadership to identify opportunities and areas of risk. They will monitor changes to tax regulations and update policies and strategies accordingly.

This role reports to the VP and Controller and works closely with FP&A, Treasury, Regulatory, Business Development and our audit/tax CPA firm, coordinating with accounting staff to prepare accurate and timely tax filings.

• Prepare data and manage the preparation of federal and state income tax filings with outside accounting firms.
• Prepare annual income tax provisions and review with management and the audit firm; prepare tax financial statement disclosures per applicable accounting standards.
• Manage sales/use, property, franchise, and other tax filing requirements.
• Work with state and local property tax departments during annual assessment reviews.
• Oversee regulatory tax function and assist with state commission rate filings as they arise.
• Maintain income tax depreciation, deferred tax, and tax provision software, and coordinate with software consultants on new modules.
• Support investments in utility assets and RNG projects by performing tax due diligence, reviewing tax modeling, and collaborating with external tax advisors on transaction structuring and compliance.
• Develop and execute monetization strategies for Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) tax incentives including production tax credits and investment tax credits; document transactions, perform transferability analyses, and ensure IRS guidance compliance to optimize credit value.
• Manage tax accounting within the broader accounting organization; review and approve monthly journal entries and support documentation.
• Identify and implement process improvements in company tax procedures.
• Develop and implement strategic tax planning for all necessary federal and state taxes.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory tax law developments, communicate effects to management, and create strategies in response to new laws.

• Bachelor's degree in accounting required.
• Active CPA designation required.
• At least 8 years of tax experience in either a corporate tax department or CPA firm.
• Utility tax industry experience strongly preferred.
• Interest in renewable natural gas industry preferred.

• High attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and meticulous analytical capability.
• Extensive corporate tax knowledge (ASC 740 and related financial statement disclosures).
• Strong knowledge of tax code, compliance, and procedures for corporations.
• Familiarity with U.S. federal, state, and local reporting requirements.
• Familiarity with utility tax normalization concepts and guidance.
• Familiarity with renewable energy regulation and federal tax credit programs.
• Ability to work in a remote office environment.
• Business partner mentality with ability to educate tax concepts to stakeholders.
• Strong initiative and ability to manage multiple projects while meeting deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to consult effectively with all levels of management, including executives.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, and strong organizational and interpersonal skills.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work performed and are not exhaustive of all responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required. Summit offers competitive pay and benefits including medical/dental/vision and other programs to support employees and their families. Summit Utilities, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability or veteran status.