Director, Tax

We’re Looking For a Director, Tax 

Location: El Segundo, CA 

What You’ll Be Doing: 

The Director of Tax leads Golden Pet Brands' income tax provision, compliance, and reporting functions, and serves as the company's senior in-house tax authority as our multi-entity structure and international footprint continue to grow. This role exists to ensure the company's quarterly and annual tax provisions are accurate, well-documented, and defensible; that all tax filings (income, sales, property, business license, and international indirect tax) are completed on time; and that outside tax advisors and vendors are effectively managed and critically reviewed. The Director also owns internal tax controls, serves as the primary point of contact for tax authorities, partners directly with the business on the tax implications of new initiatives, and proactively identifies tax planning and efficiency opportunities to help manage the company's effective tax rate. It reports to the VP, Controller, requires a CPA with deep technical tax expertise and a public accounting pedigree, and calls for the executive presence to advise senior leadership on tax strategy and risk.

Income Tax Provision & Financial Reporting
● Prepare (or, if outsourced to a third-party firm, thoroughly review) the quarterly and annual income tax provision under ASC 740, including current and deferred tax calculations.
● Draft the tax footnotes and related disclosures for SEC filings, including the 10-K and 10-Q.
● Maintain and reconcile all tax-related balance sheet accounts, including deferred tax assets and liabilities.
● Analyze and explain quarter-over-quarter variances in the consolidated effective tax rate.
● Document uncertain tax positions and maintain FIN 48 / ASC 740-10 reserves.

Tax Compliance & Filings
● Coordinate with outside CPA firms on the preparation and review of federal, state, local, and international corporate income tax returns; review returns prior to filing.
● Validate extension requests and quarterly estimated tax payments.
● Coordinate with an outside firm on all sales and use tax filings across applicable jurisdictions.
● Coordinate with an outside firm on all property tax filings and assessments.
● Manage business license renewals and filings across all operating jurisdictions.
● Maintain a master global tax calendar to track all filing deadlines and prevent late fees or penalties.
● Oversee the monthly sales tax, VAT, and GST compliance processes managed by third-party vendors across international jurisdictions.

Risk Management & Audits
● Design and maintain internal tax controls in support of SOX 404 compliance.
● Serve as the primary point of contact for IRS and state tax authorities during audits and inquiries.
● Research technical tax positions and maintain supporting documentation.
● Monitor new and proposed tax legislation and assess its impact on the business.

Strategy & Business Operations
● Serve as a tax business partner to cross-functional teams, evaluating the tax implications of new business initiatives, product launches, and process changes.
● Proactively identify, evaluate, and present tax planning opportunities — a standing priority for this role — to optimize the company's effective tax rate and cash tax liability.
● Manage transfer pricing documentation and policy for intercompany and cross-border transactions.
● Evaluate tax risks, structuring alternatives, and due diligence findings for M&A activity.
● Evaluate and implement tax software and process improvements to automate manual workflows.

Leadership & Team Development
● Represent the tax function in executive-level discussions, communicating complex tax matters clearly to the CFO, VP of Finance, and other senior leaders.
● Mentor and develop tax staff or analysts as the function scales, and build the processes and controls needed to support a growing multi-entity, multi-jurisdiction footprint.

Qualifications (Note: We strongly encourage you to apply even if you don’t tick ALL of these boxes.):

Skills

● Technical tax accounting (ASC 740 provision preparation and review)
● Project management across multiple outside advisors and deadlines
● Written communication (technical memos, disclosures)
● ERP/tax software proficiency (NetSuite or similar)
● Executive communication — translating technical tax matters for C-level and Board audiences
● IT savvy; proficient with large ERP systems and quick to learn new ones

Knowledge Areas
● ASC 740 income tax accounting
● Federal, state, local, and international corporate tax compliance
● Sales/use tax, property tax, and business license requirements
● SOX 404 internal controls
● Transfer pricing
● M&A tax structuring and due diligence
● International indirect tax (VAT/GST) concepts

Attributes
● CPA credential
● Detail-oriented and highly organized
● Comfortable operating independently and managing outside firms
● Sound technical judgment on ambiguous tax positions
● Strong executive presence; comfortable interfacing with the CFO and other C-level leadership

Behaviors
● Proactively tracks deadlines and flags risks early
● Proactively surfaces tax planning opportunities without waiting to be asked
● Reviews outside advisors' work critically rather than rubber-stamping it
● Communicates variances and issues clearly to leadership
● Stays current on tax law changes and assesses business impact
● Works independently, takes initiative, and adapts to shifting priorities in a fast-paced, scaling environment
● Builds relationships and influences cross-functionally without direct authority

Required Education: Bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience)

Required Experience: CPA license, 10+ years of progressive corporate tax experience, Hands-on preparation and/or review of ASC 740 income tax provisions, managing outside CPA firms or advisors for tax return preparation, Sales/use tax and property tax compliance oversight

Preferred Experience: Public accounting background (Big 4 or national firm) combined with in-house industry experience, Experience at a company with SEC reporting requirements, Master's in Taxation, Transfer pricing and M&A tax experience, NetSuite or similar multi-entity ERP experience, Experience building or improving tax department processes/controls (e.g., during a growth or transition period)

Required Licensure/Certification: Active CPA license

• Comprehensive healthcare coverage – We cover 100% of premiums for medical, dental, and vision plans for employee-only plans.
• Annual bonus
• We match up to 3.5% of your 401k contributions, ensuring your retirement savings grow alongside your career.
• 6 paid sick and mental health days, an Employee Assistance Program, free weekly yoga and meditation classes, and additional mental health benefits, because we take a holistic approach to your well-being.
• Invest in your future with our Employee Stock Ownership Plan, where company contributions fund your retirement plan with company stock. Learn more.
• Reimbursements for a portion of personal cell phone and internet usage for eligible employees.
• Professional development opportunities with mentorship, continuous learning programs, and performance-based pay increases, empowering you to progress and excel in your career.
• Through our charity sponsorships, you can make a positive impact on communities worldwide. We’ve donated over $9 million to date.
• Potential for quarterly KPI bonuses.

The base salary range is $168,000-$210,000, plus bonus potential.

The posted salary range in this job posting reflects data based on California's cost of labor analysis. This salary range is subject to change per state; please click here to find the pay differential in your state of residence if the role is remote.

Salary is based on a wide range of factors that include relevant experience, knowledge, skills, other job-related qualifications, and geographical location.