Senior Manager, Tax Controversy - Visa

Visa is a world leader in payments and technology, with over 259 billion payments transactions flowing safely between consumers, merchants, financial institutions, and government entities in more than 200 countries and territories each year. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable, and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses, and economies to thrive while driven by a common purpose – to uplift everyone, everywhere by being the best way to pay and be paid.

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Visa Corporate Tax has an exciting opportunity for a Tax Controversy, Senior Manager, responsible for state and local tax audits, researching, supporting and developing audit strategies for risk mitigation and support of long-term tax filing positions.  This position will report to the Director, Global Tax and will be based in Foster City, CA.

Visa’s Global Tax department comprises a diverse group of over 60 professionals located throughout Visa’s global offices spanning: Foster City, California, London, Miami, Dubai, Singapore, Toronto, and Mumbai. The Global Tax department manages both direct and indirect tax strategy, tax planning and structuring, transfer pricing, controversy, tax policy, and compliance as a US multinational organization.

The Senior Manager is a leadership role within the Visa global tax function and will partner closely with the global tax team and other leaders at Visa.  This person will manage tax audits and be expected to find technically based solutions to complex audit issues. Their skill set should include working professionally with auditors and performing planning and audit defense related research and analysis. The ideal candidate should have, in addition to strong state income tax technical skills, exceptional written and verbal communications skills, as well as excellent project management, organizational and interpersonal skills. This position will also work closely with the tax compliance, tax provision and international tax teams, so being able to work in a collaborative environment is essential.

Essential Functions:

• Proactively manage state and local tax audits including collaboration with auditors, responding to issues and IDRs, performing technical research, evaluating potential issues, and providing critical analysis and creative problem solving to find favorable audit resolutions.
• Lead discussions with outside advisors in connection with audits, key strategic projects and tax planning initiatives, including M&A projects.
• Research and analyze technical issues and write position papers and audit protests.
• Make written recommendations regarding reserve positions and update calculations in accordance with ASC 740 and ASC 450.
• Clearly communicate the results of audits to the compliance team and provide recommendations for future filing positions based on these audit results.
• Partner with various other departments and provide excellent customer service to the company’s clients, review contracts with clients and vendors to minimize the company’s sales tax exposure, work with Sourcing to recover sales taxes and initiate sales tax saving process improvements.
• Actively manage external consultants performing property tax evaluations to reduce the assessed value of properties owned by Visa.
• Partner with Government Engagement to assess and provide recommendations on proposed legislation that may impact Visa.
• Monitor legislative changes, evaluate impact of changes, identify opportunities and adverse consequences and effectively communicate the findings to management.
• Assume responsibility for managing the Tax Controversy records and documentation and suggest enhancements to the organization and structure of folders for better efficiency.
• Assist with special projects, as needed.

This is a hybrid position. Hybrid employees can alternate time between both remote and office. Employees in hybrid roles are expected to work from the office 2-3 set days a week (determined by leadership/site), with a general guidepost of being in the office 50% or more of the time based on business needs.

Basic Qualifications

• 8 or more years of relevant work experience with a Bachelor Degree or at least 5 years of experience with an Advanced Degree (e.g. Masters, MBA, JD, MD) or 2 years of work experience with a PhD

Preferred Qualifications

• 9 or more years of relevant work experience with a Bachelor Degree or 7 or more relevant years of experience with an Advanced Degree (e.g. Masters, MBA, JD, MD) or 3 or more years of experience with a PhD
• Relevant experience with the state tax authority, law firm or accounting firm, industry experience in technology a plus
• Prior in-house experience strongly preferred
• Strong foundation of income tax technical knowledge with experience evaluating and advising on tax positions and defending key audits
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Experience addressing a broad range of state tax issues
• Ability to work independently; a self-starter; results oriented
• Strategic thinker with ability to work in a fast-paced environment
  A bias toward action and continuous improvement
  A desire to develop and manage best practices and processes to continuously drive efficiencies and outcomes

Work Hours: Varies upon the needs of the department.

Travel Requirements: This position requires travel 5-10% of the time.

Mental/Physical Requirements: This position will be performed in an office setting.  The position will require the incumbent to sit and stand at a desk, communicate in person and by telephone, frequently operate standard office equipment, such as telephones and computers.

Visa is an EEO Employer.  Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.  Visa will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with EEOC guidelines and applicable local law.

Visa will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable local law, including the requirements of Article 49 of the San Francisco Police Code.

U.S. APPLICANTS ONLY: The estimated salary range for a new hire into this position is 133,000.00 to 192,950.00 USD per year, which may include potential sales incentive payments (if applicable). Salary may vary depending on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location. In addition, this position may be eligible for bonus and equity. Visa has a comprehensive benefits package for which this position may be eligible that includes Medical, Dental, Vision, 401 (k), FSA/HSA, Life Insurance, Paid Time Off, and Wellness Program.