Equipment Finance Tax Specialist

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ABOUT THE ROLE:

The Equipment Finance Tax Specialist is responsible for reviewing complex commercial lease transactions to ensure the proper Sales and Property Tax compliance and mitigate tax and legal risk for the bank. Commercial leasing tax compliance requires being able to work in a multi-jurisdictional environment, provide accounting and tax research and related customer service functions.

Please see below for specific responsibilities and requirements for this role.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES:

The responsibilities for this role are below; you may support projects of varying complexity based on skill and organizational priorities.

Tax Compliance

·       Conduct sales and property tax review/analysis on pending leases and provide accurate tax codes for new lease requests.

·       Perform post-booking internal audits of new lease setup on the system of record.

·       Review/research regulatory and statutory changes to sales tax and property tax law and their impact on the leasing process.

·       Research state regulations related to such tax issues addressed during dispute resolution process.

·       Facilitate sales and property refunds with customers. Maintain and continuously improve sales tax resources available for use by the commercial leasing sales force to ensure communication of new and updated tax regulations.

·       Provide guidance and expertise to the line of business as appropriate during the lease documentation process.

·       Coordinate Sales Tax amendment requests resulting from customer disputes and/or errors with the Corporate Sales Tax team to ensure timely and accurate completion of amended tax returns or appeals.

·       Support the Corporate Tax team in responding to Sales tax audit requests from applicable taxing authorities, compiling associated lease information, and researching tax regulations associated with such audits.

·       Manage relationship with property tax vendor including reviewing asset data, data exchange between vendor and bank, reviewing returns, managing billing issues and colllections and annual SOX reviews .

·       Provide assistance, as needed, in coordinating timely and accurate completion of amended returns or appeals resulting from property tax disputes or double assessment(s).

·       Assist Corporate Tax and other Bancorp departments with acquisitions and other "due diligence" requirements, as needed.

Tax Accounting

·       Assist in continuous improvement initiatives to enhance data accuracy and efficient reporting capabilities

·       Coordinate with the Finance and/or Corporate Tax teams to ensure accurate accounting of sales and property tax activities, and compile data for reconciliation purposes accordingly.

·       Facilitate the sales tax reconciliation process related to the syndicated portfolio, and support the accounting function as needed.

·       Work closely with the Corporate Tax Lease Administration Specialist to compile sales tax data for periodic filing purposes on serviced syndication accounts to the Corporate Tax department.

·       Support on-going projects related to the automation and integration of syndication accounts, as they relate to sales tax and property tax reporting.

·       Research and prepare monthly property tax reconciliation, provide journal entries and complete RSR as necessary.

·       Research customer disputes as they relate to sales and property tax billings and make recommendations for resolution with the assistance of the management and other available resources.

·       Assist with researching and responding to customer account payment application issues.

·       Provide support to other members of the commercial staff as needed to promote a superior level of customer service and teamwork.

·       Other Duties: Performing other duties as assigned, adapting to new tasks or shifts in priorities as necessary to support your team’s and the company’s mission.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

·       7-10 years of accounting and/or compliance tax experience.

·       Experience in the leasing industry (or comparable). (Compliance Tax refers to Sales & Use or Property Tax in this context).

·       Associate's degree required; Bachelor's degree in Business (e.g. Business Administration, Finance, Accounting) a plus.

REQUIRED SKILLS:

·       Excellent communication skills.

·       Strong Customer Service Orientation

·       Excellent analytical ability

·       Knowledge of Microsoft Office Products

SKILLS FOR SUCCESS:

·       InfoLease or CCH experience is a plus.

·       Working toward CMI designation or other related certification in compliance tax field is desirable.

DOING THE RIGHT THING: Our employees take pride in doing the right thing for customers and colleagues as well as being accountable for risk by openly exchanging ideas and opinions, elevating concerns, and following policies and procedures that protect all our valuable assets —including you​.

At Fifth Third, we understand the importance of recognizing our employees for the role they play in improving the lives of our customers, communities and each other. Our Total Rewards include comprehensive benefits and differentiated compensation offerings to give each employee the opportunity to be their best every day.

The base salary for this position is reflective of the range of salary levels for all roles within this pay grade across the U.S. Individual salaries within this range will vary based on factors such as role, relevant skillset, relevant experience, education and geographic location. In addition to the base salary, this role is eligible to participate in an incentive compensation plan, with any such payment based upon company, line of business and/or individual performance.

Our extensive benefits programs are designed to support the individual needs of our employees and their families, encompassing physical, financial, emotional and social well-being. You can learn more about those programs on our 53.com Careers page at: https://www.53.com/content/fifth-third/en/careers/benefits.html or by consulting with your talent acquisition partner. 

Attention search firms and staffing agencies: do not submit unsolicited resumes for this posting.  Fifth Third does not accept resumes from any agency that does not have an active agreement with Fifth Third.  Any unsolicited resumes – no matter how they are submitted – will be considered the property of Fifth Third and Fifth Third will not be responsible for any associated fee.

Fifth Third Bank, National Association is proud to have an engaged and inclusive culture and to promote and ensure equal employment opportunity in all employment decisions regardless of race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, veteran status or any other legally protected status.