Senior Tax Accountant

At L.L.Bean, we believe the outdoors brings out the best in all of us. We are committed to fostering a culture of belonging and creating safe, inclusive spaces where everyone feels welcome—both here and Outside. We value individual differences and are dedicated to maintaining an inclusive work environment where everyone can bring the best of their experience and talents and truly thrive.

L.L.Bean is looking for a Senior Tax Accountant-Income Tax to join our Finance Team. This position is a hybrid position, located at our Headquarters in Freeport, Maine.

This role is expected to begin around May 1, with some flexibility based on the selected candidate’s availability.

Position Purpose:

Working independently with limited supervision, the Senior Tax Accountant-Income Tax is responsible for managing income tax accounting functions to ensure compliance with applicable laws, with a primary focus on federal, state and local and international income taxes. This role aims to minimize the company’s tax liability through the interpretation and application of tax regulations.

Key responsibilities include maintaining accurate tax records, preparing and filing tax returns along with related schedules and reports, and supporting external tax audits. The role involves handling moderate to complex tax issues related to L.L.Bean’s operations, utilizing available resources to research tax matters, analyze the impact of company transactions, and recommend appropriate approaches.

Additionally, the Senior Tax Accountant-Income Tax provides guidance and reviews the work of less experienced staff, while also supporting cross-functional teams on tax-related matters. This role will focus on income tax but will also support indirect tax, as needed.

Responsibilities:

• General Responsibilities:

  • Ensure compliance with applicable tax laws and regulations by monitoring legislative developments, advising management on proposed changes, and recommending appropriate courses of action.

  • Minimize the company’s tax liability through informed, strategic application of tax laws and regulations.

  • Prepare clear, concise, and well‑organized workpapers, ensuring all required documentation is complete and conclusions are fully supported.

  • Research the tax implications of proposed company transactions; participate in the review of significant transactions and advise management on optimal alternatives.

  • Assist in the implementation of tax policies, procedures, and projects, collaborating with cross‑functional business teams and systems as needed.

  • Maintain strong, effective working relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners.

  • Provide support during tax audits to minimize exposure, including interaction with auditors and coordination of required documentation.

  • Offers feedback and recommendations to enhance departmental procedures and improve work standards continuously.

• Primary Responsibilities:

  • Prepare federal, state, local, and international income tax returns, along with audit‑ready workpapers supporting filings, including composite returns, projections, estimated tax payments, and extensions.

  • Ensure accurate and timely filing of tax returns, payments, and related schedules.

  • Serve as the subject matter expert on fixed asset tax lives and depreciation methods; manage state conformity adjustments for fixed asset records.

  • Liaise with external consultants to perform annual cost segregation studies for company asset additions.

  • Maintain ownership records and supporting documentation for year‑end shareholder reporting, including the calculation and validation of weighted‑average ownership percentages.

  • Analyze tax issues and research applicable tax laws, regulations, and guidance.

  • Respond to tax notices and assist with inquiries from tax authorities as needed.

  • Handle confidential tax and financial information with a high degree of integrity and discretion.

  • Perform additional duties as assigned to support Tax department objectives and cross‑training initiatives, including sales and use tax, property tax, and special projects

Health and Safety Requirement: Every employee is responsible for contributing to a safe and healthy workplace. Employees are expected to be active participants in health and safety by following all safety policies and procedures, reporting unsafe conditions or at-risk behaviors to leadership, and conducting work in a safe manner. Those in a leadership role are also expected to model safe behaviors, evaluate risk, and ensure that risks are reduced to acceptable levels.
Education Level: 4-Year Bachelor's Degree

Experience: 5-10 years
Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in Accounting or equivalent experience

• CPA and/or continuing accounting/ tax education

• Progressive experience with corporate income taxes. Experience with S-Corporations and composite filings strongly preferred

• Experience researching, interpreting, developing and implementing policies and processes in a growth environment

• Ability to work effectively with a variety of internal and external customers

• Problem solving and analytical skills

• Experience with OneSource, SAP ECC, Sage Fixed Assets and CCH research

• Attention to detail

• Self-motivated

If you care about the outdoors, joining L.L.Bean is a great way to feel good about what you do. Our benefits package makes a good thing even better, with programs and perks designed to support your health and financial goals. Plus, maintaining a healthy work-life balance and re-charging outside are all part of the plan.

If your experience looks a little different from what we've identified and you think you'd be great at this role, we'd love to learn more about you!   At L.L.Bean, we believe the outdoors brings out the best in all of us.  We strive to reflect this every day in our commitments to employees and partners and in our efforts to promote belonging.