Tax Associate

The Tax Associate supports PlayCore's indirect tax compliance and tax administration functions by assisting with sales and use tax filings, exemption certificate management, tax notice administration, audit support, and tax data analysis. This entry-level professional position works closely with Accounting, Finance, Customer Service, Supply Chain, and Information Technology teams to help ensure compliance with state and local tax requirements while developing foundational indirect tax knowledge. The ideal candidate demonstrates strong analytical ability, attention to detail, a commitment to customer service, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Promotes the Company's mission and values-based culture through professional conduct, teamwork, accountability, and service. Prepares and assists with monthly, quarterly, and annual sales and use tax returns. Compiles, validates, and reconciles tax data from enterprise resource planning systems and supporting reports. Helps ensure the timely filing and payment of sales and use tax obligations and maintains tax compliance calendars and filing schedules. Monitors jurisdictional filing requirements and assists with tax registration maintenance. Requests, reviews, validates, and maintains exemption and resale certificates, including monitoring expirations and obtaining updated documentation. Supports customer and internal inquiries related to tax-exempt transactions and maintains electronic records in accordance with company retention policies. Performs limited research on routine sales and use tax matters, identifies potential taxability issues, and escalates complex matters as appropriate. Assists with tax process improvements, compliance initiatives, procedures, and supporting documentation. Tracks, organizes, and coordinates responses to state and local tax notices and maintains related correspondence files. Gathers documentation and prepares supporting schedules for tax authority inquiries and sales and use tax audits. Reconciles tax returns to general ledger accounts and transactional data. Analyzes reports to identify variances, exceptions, discrepancies, and process-improvement opportunities. Assists with testing and validation of tax engine and enterprise resource planning system changes. Prepares recurring compliance and management reports. Partners with Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Customer Service, Procurement, and Operations teams to resolve tax-related issues. Supports training efforts related to sales tax compliance and exemption documentation. Communicates effectively with internal stakeholders and external tax authorities. Supports special projects, process automation initiatives, system implementations, departmental goals, and continuous-improvement efforts. Other duties may be assigned by the Manager or Supervisor. Education and/or Experience Associate's or bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related discipline; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Zero to three years of experience in accounting, tax, finance, customer accounting, or a related administrative function. Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and other Microsoft 365 applications. Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, verbal communication, and written communication skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet established deadlines. Exposure to sales and use tax compliance preferred. Experience with an enterprise resource planning system such as SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, or a similar platform preferred. Experience with tax automation software such as Avalara, Vertex, ONESOURCE, or a similar application preferred. Prior internship or work experience in accounting, finance, tax, or compliance preferred. Travel Limited travel may be required for training, company meetings, audits, or other business needs. Computer Skills Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, including formulas, lookups, and data-analysis functions, as well as Word, Outlook, and other Microsoft 365 applications. Experience with enterprise resource planning systems and tax automation software preferred. Other Requirements Ability to remain seated and work at a computer for extended periods. Ability to communicate effectively in person, by phone, and electronically. Ability to occasionally lift and carry office materials weighing up to 25 pounds. Ability to maintain confidential company, customer, employee, and tax information. Ability to maintain regular and reliable attendance and meet established deadlines. Other Skills Understanding of basic accounting principles and financial transactions. Strong attention to detail, accuracy, organization, and follow-through. Ability to analyze data, identify discrepancies, and take ownership of assigned compliance responsibilities. Strong customer-service orientation and effective communication with internal and external stakeholders. Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a team environment. Initiative in identifying process improvements and efficiency opportunities. Continuous-learning mindset and willingness to develop tax technical knowledge for advancement into more technical tax accounting and compliance roles. PlayCore is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.