Strong fit for candidates with experience in corporate tax teams who lead process improvements and manage junior staff. Must have expertise in ASC 740 and tax provision software, with a focus on SEC reporting and cross-functional collaboration.
Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.
Original posting from Southern Company
The Tax Reporting & Forecasting Team Lead is a key member of the Southern Company Services (SCS) Corporate Tax team and reports to the Income Tax Reporting & Forecasting Manager. This Lead role will be responsible for the income tax accounting, SEC tax reporting, tax forecasting, and managing tax reporting for the unregulated non-registrant businesses. The position has three primary areas of responsibility: Tax Accounting, Tax Forecasting, and Tax Reporting. In the Lead role, this position includes 1 direct report and provides formal coaching, feedback, and performance evaluations. Additionally, as a contributing team member, this role will provide cross-training and serve as an example to other less experienced team members. The ideal candidate brings strong ASC 740 tax accounting knowledge, sound judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities while working effectively with management and key stakeholders.
Lead and support the monthly income tax provision process for assigned unregulated companies, including complex journal entries, current and deferred tax calculations, tax payments, and detailed account analyses.Review quarterly consolidated SEC financial statements and underlying workpapers to ensure accurate, consistent, and well-supported income tax reporting. This position is also responsible for approving monthly income tax entries and certifying the tax controls for the unregulated non-registrant businesses performed and operating effectively by the team.Review monthly and quarterly account reconciliations, provision workpapers, and tax analytics; investigate significant variances and reconciling items; and develop practical recommendations to support timely resolution and accurate reporting.Research, analyze, and help resolve tax accounting issues, business transactions, and other matters affecting the tax provision process, while serving as a technical resource and escalation point for team members.
Support technical issues and planning initiatives by updating memos, presenting analyses and recommendations to management, leading meetings, and coordinating effectively with stakeholders and operating company contacts.
Drive process improvement initiatives related to the tax provision and tax basis balance sheet, including strengthening workpapers, improving controls, cleaning up tax basis balance sheet and tax payable reconciliations, and identifying opportunities to enhance efficiency, standardization, and audit readiness.Provide day-to-day leadership, coaching, training, and technical support to 1–3 team members, including direct supervisory responsibility for at least one employee, while helping prioritize work, answer questions, develop capability, and promote consistency across team deliverables.Prepare, coordinate, and review responses to internal and external auditor requests and other information requests, ensuring timely, accurate, and well-supported deliverables.
Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field required
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation preferred.
Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in income tax accounting and/or tax reporting, including demonstrated experience with complex calculations, reconciliations, and issue resolution.Public accounting and/or large corporate tax department experience preferred, including experience with income tax accounting processes and workpapers.Experience with tax provision software (such as PowerPlan), ERP systems (such as Oracle), and advanced Excel-based analysis preferred.
Skills, Abilities, and Technology
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret financial data, identify issues, and develop practical solutions in a complex tax environment.
Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously, exercise sound judgment, and deliver high-quality work in a timely manner while coordinating team activities and supporting less experienced staff.Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical tax matters clearly, present issues and recommendations to management, lead discussions effectively, and build strong working relationships across departments and operating companies.Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop others by providing day-to-day guidance, reviewing work, sharing technical knowledge, and supporting performance development for direct reports and other team members.Demonstrated ability to identify process improvement opportunities, strengthen controls, resolve complex variances, and develop practical recommendations that improve the efficiency and reliability of tax provision and tax basis balance sheet processes.Ability to execute established processes by referencing prior-year workpapers, asking thoughtful questions, and collaborating effectively in an environment where procedures may not always be fully documented.High attention to detail, accountability, and commitment to producing accurate, well-supported work in a deadline-driven environment.
About Southern Company
Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is a leading energy provider serving 9 million customers across the Southeast and beyond through its family of companies. Providing clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy with excellent service is our mission. The company has electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company, a leading distributed energy solutions provider with national capabilities, a fiber optics network and telecommunications services. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, resilience and sustainability, we are taking action to meet customers' and communities' needs while advancing our goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Our uncompromising values ensure we put the needs of those we serve at the center of everything we do and are the key to our sustained success. We are transforming energy into economic, environmental and social progress for tomorrow. Our corporate culture has been recognized by a variety of organizations, earning the company awards and recognitions that reflect Our Values and dedication to service. To learn more, visit www.southerncompany.com.
Southern Company invests in the well-being of its employees and their families through a comprehensive total rewards strategy that includes competitive base salary, annual incentive awards for eligible employees and health, welfare and retirement benefits designed to support physical, financial, and emotional/social well-being. This position may also be eligible for additional compensation, such as an incentive program, with the amount of any bonus/awards subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable incentive plan(s). A summary of the benefits offered for this position can be found here https://seo.nlx.org/southernco/pdf/SOCO-Benefits.pdf. Additional and specific details about total compensation and benefits will also be provided during the hiring process.
Southern Company is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant's qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by law.
Source: Southern Company careers