Job Status: Filled

Manager Property and Production Taxes (Finance)

Full Time

  Arch Coal Inc (http://www.archcoal.com/)

  St. Albans, West Virginia or St. Louis, Missouri, United States

Manager Property and Production Taxes

Job Location: St. Louis, MO or St. Albans, WV

Overall Job Purpose: Assist with preparation and filing of the multiple real property, personal property, sales/use, and miscellaneous other tax returns required of Arch and its affiliates, the review of assessments received and the preparation of protests when appropriate, and prosecution of those protests. Ensure that Arch’s state and local taxes are the lowest reasonably possible under the law. In addition, assist with managing all tax (excludes federal & state income taxes) compliance functions in a manner that optimizes the Company’s taxes and shareholder value, while maintaining compliance with the tax laws.

Responsibilities Include:

  • TAX COMPLIANCE: The timely filing of selected state and local property tax returns, sales/use tax returns, and miscellaneous other coal tax returns, taking filing positions, consistent with the law, that are the most favorable to Arch, and the preparation and maintenance of work papers supporting the return and filing positions as assigned.
  • Complete and file selected state & local property tax, sales/use tax and miscellaneous other coal returns in an accurate and timely manner.
  • Coordinate with Ark Land to assess changes in real and mineral valuations.
  • Prepare and maintain work papers that support positions taken on returns.
  • Research and interpret applicable laws related to proper valuing and other proper recording.
  • Meet with property tax appraisers on-site to review status of operations and activity.
  • Review of property assessments and negotiating settlements.
  • Analyze the government’s valuations to determine appropriateness.
  • Negotiate with state and/or county appraisers and officials to resolve any differences at the lowest level possible.
  • Timely prepare, file, and manage protests of over valuation assessments, if appropriate and considered necessary and prudent.
  • Appear before county assessor to plead case. Appeal through all possible levels of appeal or until satisfactory conclusion.
  • If assessment is proper, check bills for accuracy and pay in a timely manner.
  • Assist with establishing year-end accruals for property tax.
  • Work on nonrecurring transactions such as acquisitions and the disposition of assets.
  • Review tax documents provided during due diligence to evaluate tax liability and report findings to appropriate decision-makers.
  • Monitor and analyze new legislation, new regulations, and recent court decisions and establish practices and procedures to minimize Arch’s property tax liability under the current status of the law.
  • Develop and issue guidelines to field operations related to accurate accumulation of information and completion of returns.
  • OTHER TAX COMPLIANCE: Conduct reviews of selected excise tax returns or other tax returns prepared by Company employees and/or Third Party vendors outside of the tax department. Review purchases/accruals for tax savings (reverse audit).
  • Research and review the law of the various states in which Arch or its affiliates have operations in sufficient detail to make a determination of the proper treatment of items reported on the particular return.
  • The preparation and maintenance of work papers that support positions taken on the return.
  • Review purchases and accruals to ascertain that we are taking the most advantageous tax position allowing for no overpayment or underpayment of sales and use taxes.
  • The computation and payment of estimated or advance tax payment due in connection with the various returns.
  • The review and research of the law to be assured that we are taking advantage of any new credits and are not missing opportunities with respect to old credits.
  • Annual review of selected excise tax/other returns as the Business Managers and Corporate Accountants are responsible for the compliance responsibilities for these returns:
  • Severance
  • Ad Valorem
  • Federal Black Lung
  • Federal & State Reclamation
  • Sales & Use
  • TAX AUDITS (excludes income taxes): Defend tax returns filing positions on audits and, when necessary, protest audit results in administrative and/or judicial forums.
  • Respond to issues raised on audit and, when appropriate, furnish the auditors with written position papers and research memoranda. When appropriate, protest and manage appeals of audit adjustments in administrative and judicial forums.
  • The review of all proposed audit adjustments to both completely understand the proposed adjustments and to eliminate mathematic errors.
  • TAX RESEARCH (excludes income taxes): Review new tax laws for changes in procedures or accounting that may be necessary to conform to the law or to permit Arch or its affiliates to take advantage of new opportunities.
  • Review new statutes, proposed regulations, and court decisions to evaluate the impact of these items on the operations of Arch and its affiliates.
  • Take advantage of opportunities to learn what commentators and other tax professionals have to say about new law by attending seminars and association activities.
  • Update Tax Advisors on ACI Intranet as needed to reflect changes in the tax law.

Required Education & Experience:

  • BS/BA in accounting or related area
  • Five years of experience in corporate taxation
  • Travel 10-25%
  • Strong written and oral communication skills
  • Strong interpersonal skills
  • Proficiency in tax research
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook e-mail, and the internet
  • Superior analytical skills
  • Strong negotiation skills

Preferred Education & Experience:

  • Experience in mining taxation and the mining industry
  • Experience in personal property tax and sales/use tax
  • Appraisal experience with minerals and/or machinery
  • Certification by the International Association of Assessing Officers
  • Certification by the Professionals in Taxation
  • Knowledge of mapping and the ability to work with map preparation software
  • An understanding of basic geology
  • 10 years of various tax experience

Position will report to: Director State and Local Taxes

 

We know our employees determine our success. At Arch Coal, we attract and retain America’s top talent through:

  • Competitive base salary
  • Employee Incentive programs
  • 401(k) with 100% company match up to 6% of base salary
  • Free covered parking

Arch Coal is a relevant, responsible, and growing Fortune 1000 company providing America with an indigenous, secure, and ever-increasingly clean fuel source. Arch has amassed numerous national and international awards for the innovative use of new technologies, including Business Week's Web Smart 50, CIO's Bold 100 and multiple InfoWeek awards.