Senior Tax Accountant

Department:

Finance

Our Company Promise

We are committed to provide our Employees a stable work environment with equal opportunity for learning and personal growth. Creativity and innovation are encouraged for improving the effectiveness of Southwest Airlines. Above all, Employees will be provided the same concern, respect, and caring attitude within the organization that they are expected to share externally with every Southwest Customer.

Job Description:

As a Senior Tax Accountant, you’ll support Southwest’s state income tax work across the full tax lifecycle, from calculating tax obligations and preparing returns to supporting audits and VAT compliance. You’ll partner with internal and external Stakeholders to research tax requirements, evaluate tax positions, and recommend opportunities to strengthen compliance, reduce risk, and improve efficiency. You’ll also help enhance processes and mentor less experienced Tax Team Members, supporting informed decisions and strong tax practices across Southwest.

Additional Details

• The culture of Southwest Airlines means we value the camaraderie, collaboration, and innovation that occurs when we come together and interact face-to-face at our vibrant Corporate Campus. Due to the nature of this role, you would be required to work from our Dallas, TX Headquarters facility during business hours.
• U.S. citizenship or current authorization to work in the U.S. required and no current or future work authorization sponsorship available.

We’re committed to fair hiring practices and to making employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, military or veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other legally protected characteristics.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary contact for internal/external Stakeholders seeking information and guidance on tax planning and compliance initiatives Prepare complex tax returns, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local tax regulations
• Schedule and oversee the preparation of state, local property tax returns, property renditions, sales and use, fuel, and liquor returns and/or federal and state IDR responses for filing with governmental entities
• Compile, analyze, and review complex data from multiple sources to ensure accuracy and reasonableness in data inputs for tax returns
• Coordinate audits by outside taxing entities, ensure audit packages provided to Stakeholders are complete, analyze audit findings and provide recommendations to resolve audit process
• Strategically evaluate tax positions to identify opportunities for tax savings and operational efficiencies, supporting the implementation of tax recommendations
• Prepare responses to protests and appeals including direct interaction with General Counsel and Tax Department Sr Leaders
• Monitor and research tax law and accounting pronouncement changes that could impact the Company, proactively providing recommendations to Tax Senior Leadership and effectively communicating insights related to revenue initiatives to internal Stakeholders
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and create recommendations for implementation
• May perform other job duties as directed by Employee’s Leaders

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data
• Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process
• Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications
• Skilled in using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems
• Skilled in collecting, organizing, visualizing, and assimilating data including turning raw data into meaningful information using data-oriented programming languages and visualization software
• Ability to effectively communicate information and ideas using all forms of communication, learning to adjust tone, style and content to meet the audience’s needs
• Ability to develop relationships and build trust with Team Members and Customers
• Ability to create opportunities or minimize potential problems by anticipating and preparing in advance
• Ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations)
• Ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information (such as speech, sounds, touch, or other sources)
• Ability to support and provide help to the Team to ensure accuracy and completeness of tasks
• Ability to demonstrate executive presence in front of all levels of management and represent the department at cross-functional meetings
• Ability to handle situations of complexity with limited guidance from Lead / Department Leadership

Preferred Skills

• Preferred: Experience in public accounting or in a large, multi-state corporate environment
• Preferred: Experience in state corporate income tax compliance and state tax provision (ASC 740)
• Preferred: Experience in state apportionment, state-specific adjustments (e.g., depreciation, software expensing, etc.), and deferred tax calculations
• Preferred: Experience in OneSource (OTP and OIT) and improving or automating tax processes and workpapers
• Preferred: Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license

Education

• Required: High School Diploma or GED
• Required: Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or Finance

Experience

• Advanced-level experience, seasoned and specialized knowledge in:
  • Tax compliance
  • Tax Research
  • Project Management

Licensing/Certification

• N/A

Physical Abilities

• Ability to perform work duties from limited space work station/desk/office area for extended periods of time
• Ability to communicate and interact with others in the English language to meet the demands of the job
• Ability to use a computer and other office productivity tools with sufficient speed and accuracy to meet the demands of the job

Other Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. citizen or have authorization to work in the United States as defined by the Immigration Reform Act of 1986
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must be able to comply with Company attendance standards as described in established guidelines
• Must maintain a well-groomed appearance per Company appearance standards as described in established guidelines
• Must meet confidentiality expectations as to confidential, proprietary, and sensitive Company information
• Must have flexibility to work extended hours during the week and weekend, including Company holidays, during quarterly close or special projects
• Some travel may be required

Pay & Benefits:  

• Competitive market salary from $103,750 per year to $115,300 per year* depending on qualifications and experience. For eligible Leadership and individual contributor roles, additional bonus opportunities are available and awarded at the discretion of the Company.  

Benefits you’ll love:      

• Fly for free, as a privilege, on any open seat on all Southwest flights (your eligible dependents too)    
• Southwest will help fund your Retirement Savings Plan, which includes a dollar for-dollar 401(k) Company match contribution of up to 9.3% of your eligible earnings**  
• Potential for annual profit-sharing contribution in the Southwest Retirement Savings Plan—when Southwest profits, you profit***   
• Competitive health insurance for you and your eligible dependents
• Southwest offers health plan coverage options that start from the very first day of employment. You'll have 30 days to select and enroll in your health plan, and coverage will be retroactively available to your first day of employment.  
• Explore more benefits you’ll love: https://careers.southwestair.com/benefits    

*Pay amount doesn’t guarantee employment for any particular period.   

**401(k) Company match contributions are subject to the plan’s vesting schedule. Match contributions may vary based on the position.  

*** Profit-sharing contributions are subject to the Retirement Savings Plan vesting schedule and are made at the discretion of the Company.

Southwest Airlines is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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