Tax Accountant

At L.L.Bean, we believe the outdoors brings out the best in all of us. We are committed to fostering a culture of belonging and creating safe, inclusive spaces where everyone feels welcome—both here and Outside. We value individual differences and are dedicated to maintaining an inclusive work environment where everyone can bring the best of their experience and talents and truly thrive.

Finance Team | HybridOnly | Freeport, Maine

Position Purpose

The Tax Accountant supports the Company’s state and local tax compliance activities, with primary responsibility for assigned sales and use tax, property tax, and related indirect tax matters. The role also assists with federal and state income tax compliance and special projects. Working independently on routine and moderately complex matters, this position coordinates assigned sales and use tax filings, prepares property tax declarations, researches tax requirements, analyzes the tax treatment of Company transactions, and develops recommendations for review by tax management.

Responsibilities:

• Prepare sales and use tax and federal excise tax returns, including supporting workpapers, reconciliations, and related documentation; investigate variances and submit completed work for management review.
• Serve as a tax resource by researching tax questions, providing guidance on tax requirements and processes, sharing tax knowledge with team members and business partners, and monitoring tax law developments and potential impacts.
• Support testing and implementation of sales tax engine and related systems by executing test scenarios, validating results, documenting issues, and assisting with their resolution.
• Coordinate sales tax registrations for new stores by gathering required information, preparing and submitting registration materials, and tracking deadlines and status.
• Prepare real and personal property tax filings and supporting documentation; coordinate related payments and deadlines.
• Assist with assigned federal and state income tax compliance activities by preparing workpapers and supporting schedules, reconciling information to source systems, and researching identified differences.
• Support tax audits and assessments by gathering and organizing documentation, analyzing data, researching issues, and communicating status, deadlines, and matters requiring review to tax management.
• Maintain complete, accurate, and review-ready tax records, workpapers, reconciliations, and supporting documentation in accordance with Company standards and established retention requirements.
• Identify, document, and support opportunities to improve tax processes, strengthen internal controls, and increase efficiency.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Health and Safety Requirement: Every employee is responsible for contributing to a safe and healthy workplace. Employees are expected to be active participants in health and safety by following all safety policies and procedures, reporting unsafe conditions or at-risk behaviors to leadership, and conducting work in a safe manner. Those in a leadership role are also expected to model safe behaviors, evaluate risk, and ensure that risks are reduced to acceptable levels.

Education and Experience

Education: Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, taxation, or a related field.
Experience: 2–4 years of relevant tax or accounting experience, including exposure to sales and use tax, property tax, or corporate income tax.

Skills and Qualifications

• Working knowledge of sales and use tax, property tax, and/or corporate income tax concepts.
• Strong research, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret established tax guidance, clearly document conclusions, and identify matters requiring additional review.
• Demonstrated ability to produce accurate, complete, and review-ready work.
• Ability to work independently on assigned responsibilities, apply prior experience and feedback to new situations, manage multiple priorities, and recognize when issues require escalation or additional guidance.
• Clear and proactive written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain tax requirements, document conclusions, and raise questions or risks promptly.
• Demonstrated curiosity and willingness to learn new tax requirements, systems, and business processes.
• Collaborative approach, with the ability to partner effectively across functions.
• Proficiency with Excel, including formulas, pivot tables, data analysis, and reconciliation of moderately large data sets.
• Experience using tax, accounting, or enterprise resource planning systems is preferred. Experience with Vertex, CCH, or SAP ECC is a plus.

If you care about the outdoors, joining L.L.Bean is a great way to feel good about what you do. Our benefits package makes a good thing even better, with programs and perks designed to support your health and financial goals. Plus, maintaining a healthy work-life balance and re-charging outside are all part of the plan.

If your experience looks a little different from what we've identified and you think you'd be great at this role, we'd love to learn more about you!   At L.L.Bean, we believe the outdoors brings out the best in all of us.  We strive to reflect this every day in our commitments to employees and partners and in our efforts to promote belonging.