Tax Manager (Insurance Asset Manager)- Hartford CT

As a Tax Manager at Insurance Asset Manager in Hartford, CT, your primary responsibilities will include overseeing tax compliance management focused on specific funds and separate accounts. You'll conduct detailed reviews of accounting firm-prepared returns, maintain a comprehensive tax return compliance tracker, and ensure that all investor documentation is accurate and up to date. Additionally, you'll coordinate efforts for REIT compliance and oversee critical tax processes, making this role essential to the financial health of the organization.

The Tax Manager position at Insurance Asset Manager requires a minimum of 13 years of tax experience, preferably gained within the taxation department of a Big 4 firm that services life insurance clients. Applicants must also hold a CPA and possess a Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or taxation. Real estate experience is highly beneficial, and strong analytical, communication, and independent working skills are essential for success in this role.

The Tax Manager plays a pivotal role in ensuring REIT compliance at Insurance Asset Manager by coordinating and conducting quarterly asset and annual income testing. You'll work closely with tax staff to prepare schedules from system downloads and will be responsible for reviewing them and updating them based on stringent analysis of REIT rules. This provides a critical oversight function to maintain our compliance standards.

Developing and maintaining a tax website is a key responsibility of the Tax Manager at Insurance Asset Manager. This platform will house all fund and separate account tax documentation, promoting efficiency and transparency across teams. It ensures that everyone has access to vital documents and information necessary for compliance and tax processes, fostering better collaborative efforts across the organization.

As the Tax Manager at Insurance Asset Manager, you will provide essential audit support by preparing tax provisions and coordinating REIT testing and audit deliverables with external audit firms. You'll also prepare FIN 48 memos and review annual REIT prohibited transaction memos, ensuring that the organization maintains rigorous compliance standards while facilitating successful audits.

In your response, highlight your relevant experience managing tax compliance in life insurance and real estate sectors. Discuss specific examples of how you've overseen tax returns, collaborated with accounting firms, and ensured compliance with REIT regulations.

Share your strategy for prioritizing tasks, such as creating a timeline for key deadlines, using project management tools, and delegating responsibilities when necessary. Explain how you've successfully met tight deadlines in previous roles.

Discuss the resources you use, such as professional development courses, tax publications, and networks. Share how this proactive approach has helped you implement compliance strategies effectively.

Share a specific example that shows your analytical skills and expertise. Focus on how you identified the problem, gathered information, and collaborated with team members or external partners to arrive at a solution.

Explain your methodical approach to handling investor documentation, including keeping detailed records, timely follow-ups, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

Emphasize the critical nature of communication in your role, particularly for coordinating with various teams, conveying complex tax information in simple terms, and ensuring that all stakeholders are informed and compliant.

Provide examples of how you've effectively balanced these demands, focusing on your negotiation and problem-solving skills and your commitment to maintaining compliance while being responsive to team needs.

Outline your familiarity with FATCA regulations and your experience maintaining compliance documentation. Share how you ensure that all necessary documents are accurate and reflect current regulations.

Draw from specific instances in your career where you've prepared tax provisions for audits. Discuss your methodology and how you collaborated with external auditors to facilitate a smooth audit process.

Describe your involvement in special tax initiatives, such as transfer pricing studies or policy determinations. Highlight how you approached these initiatives and what successful outcomes were achieved.