Senior Tax Accountant – Corporate Income

Senior Tax Accountant

The Senior Tax Accountant position is an integral member of the Southern Company Services (SCS) Corporate Tax team and reports to the Income Tax Forecasting & Accounting Manager. This role’s primary responsibility is supporting the monthly income tax provision process for Southern Company’s unregulated businesses, including support for SEC registrant financial reporting and related tax accounting deliverables. The position is responsible for preparing and reviewing income tax calculations, journal entries, reconciliations, tax analyses, and financial reporting deliverables, while partnering with internal and external stakeholders to support accurate and timely reporting. The ideal candidate will bring strong technical tax accounting knowledge, sound judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to execute established processes by leveraging prior-year workpapers, collaborating with colleagues, and applying professional experience in an environment where formal written procedures may be limited.

• Prepare and support the monthly income tax provision process for assigned unregulated companies, including tax journal entries, current and deferred tax calculations, and detailed account analyses.
• Prepare monthly and quarterly tax reporting schedules and supporting financial reporting deliverables that summarize key income tax balances, drivers, and changes in tax positions, and communicate significant tax drivers and results to management and other stakeholders.
• Perform and review monthly and quarterly account reconciliations, tax analytics, and variance explanations to support accurate financial reporting and timely issue resolution.
• Support income tax financial statement reporting for assigned businesses, including performing tax-related financial statement tie-outs and ensuring consistency between tax provision workpapers, general ledger balances, and reported financial information.
• Support ad hoc analyses, special projects, and research related to emerging tax accounting matters affecting assigned unregulated businesses.
• Research, analyze, and help resolve tax accounting issues, business transactions, and other matters affecting the tax provision process.
• Document, maintain, and improve tax provision processes, controls, and supporting workpapers to enhance efficiency, standardization, and audit readiness.
• 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 4 years of relevant professional experience in income tax accounting and/or tax reporting required.
• Public accounting and/or large corporate tax department experience preferred, including experience with income tax accounting processes and workpapers.
• Experience with tax provision software (i.e. PowerPlan), ERP systems (i.e. 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.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, exercise sound judgment, and deliver high-quality work in a timely manner with minimal supervisory guidance.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical tax matters clearly and work effectively with stakeholders across departments.
• Demonstrated ability to quickly identify process improvement opportunities, strengthen controls, and rapidly learn and apply accounting and tax technology concepts to support and implement efficient, reliable tax reporting processes.
• Ability to execute established processes by referencing prior-year workpapers, asking thoughtful questions, and collaborating effectively to understand existing processes and resolve questions independently.
• 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.

Southern Company Services