Associate Director, Tax Accounting

Come join one of America’s fastest-growing insurance companies. Since 1848, National Life Group has aimed to keep our promises, providing families with stability in good times and in bad. Throughout that history, we have provided peace of mind to those families as they plan their futures.

Our mission extends beyond the insurance and annuities policies that we offer. We strive to make the world a better place through our grants from our charitable foundation, paid volunteer time for our employees, environmentally sustainable and healthy workplaces, and events that promote the work of nonprofits in our own backyard.

We foster a collaborative environment with opportunities for growth and encourage our associates to live our values: Do good. Be good. Make good.

Please note that we do not offer visa sponsorship for this position.

Role Summary

The Associate Director plays a key leadership role within the tax function and is responsible for managing the income tax provision and return related activities, ensuring accurate tax reporting, timely compliance with federal, state, and local tax requirements, and strong internal controls across the tax function.

This is a hands-on leadership role with the opportunity to broaden technical tax experience, strengthen team leadership skills, and contribute to tax planning, audit support, and special projects in a dynamic corporate environment. The Associate Director reports directly to the Director of Corporate Tax.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Lead the income tax provision and reporting process under ASC 740 and SSAP 101, including related tax entries, disclosures, reconciliations, and supporting documentation.

Lead tax forecasting, effective tax rate analysis, and other ad hoc tax reporting and modeling needs.

Oversee federal, state, and local income tax compliance, including return preparation, review, filing coordination, and return-to-provision analysis.

Review tax deliverables, improve processes, and strengthen internal controls to support accuracy, efficiency, and compliance.

Manage external tax advisors to ensure timely, high-quality, and cost-effective tax engagements.

Support tax planning initiatives by identifying opportunities to optimize the company’s tax position and mitigate risk.

Conduct technical tax research and provide guidance on compliance, reporting, and business matters.

Respond to audits and regulatory inquiries while monitoring changes in tax laws and industry-specific requirements.

Collaborate with Financial Reporting, Accounting, Investment, Legal, PF&A and other internal stakeholders to provide tax insights on business operations and initiatives.

Mentor and coach tax team members, supporting technical development, accountability, and achievement of departmental goals.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required; CPA or Enrolled Agent required.

5 to 10 years of U.S. federal income tax experience required; life and annuity insurance industry experience and public accounting experience strongly preferred.

Strong experience with income tax provision and tax compliance, including federal, state, and local tax matters.

Strong knowledge of ASC 740 and SSAP 101 tax accounting and disclosure requirements.

Advanced Excel skills required; experience with OneSource Tax Provision, OneSource Income Tax, and Workday preferred.

Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and develop tax professionals.

Excellent analytical, communication, organization, and project management skills.

AI Proficiency Expectations

At National Life Group, we view AI as an enabler of human potential. We use AI to help us work smarter, serve more clients, and keep our promises, while remaining a relationship-driven business where our people are our greatest strength.

All applicants are expected to:

Leverage approved AI tools, where appropriate, to improve the efficiency, quality, and impact of their work.

Stay curious and open to new AI-enabled ways of working.

Exercise sound judgment by reviewing and validating AI-generated content.

Maintain accountability for the accuracy, quality, fairness, and integrity of work products by adhering to National Life’s AI guiding principles.

Use AI responsibly and in accordance with company policies related to confidentiality, data privacy, security, compliance, retention and intellectual property.

Benefits

Your benefits start day one and are flexible and customizable to your and your family’s specific needs. Check out the BENEFITS of a Career at National Life!

Base Pay Range. The base pay range for this position is the range National Life reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for the position taking into account the wide variety of factors, including: prior experience and job-related knowledge; education, training and certificates; current business needs; and market factors. The final salary or hourly wages offered may be outside of this range based on other reasons and individual circumstances.

Additional Compensation and Benefits. The total compensation package for this position may also include a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits (including 401(k) eligibility and various paid time off benefits, such as vacation, sick time, and parental leave), dependent on the position offered. The successful candidate may also be eligible to participate in National Life’s discretionary annual incentive programs, subject to the rules governing such programs. If hired, the employee will be in an "at-will position" and National Life reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation or benefit program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

National Life is accepting applications for this role on an ongoing basis and the role remains open until filled.

Salary Pay Range$110,625—$162,250 USD

Base Pay Range. The base pay range for this position is the range National Life reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for the position taking into account the wide variety of factors, including: prior experience and job-related knowledge; education, training and certificates; current business needs; and market factors. The final salary or hourly wages offered may be outside of this range based on other reasons and individual circumstances.

Additional Compensation and Benefits. The total compensation package for this position may also include a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits (including 401(k) eligibility and various paid time off benefits, such as vacation, sick time, and parental leave), dependent on the position offered. The successful candidate may also be eligible to participate in National Life’s discretionary annual incentive programs, subject to the rules governing such programs. If hired, the employee will be in an "at-will position" and National Life reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation or benefit program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

National Life is accepting applications for this role on an ongoing basis and the role remains open until filled.

Hourly Pay Range$110,625—$162,250 USD

National Life Group® is a trade name of National Life Insurance Company, Montpelier, VT – founded in 1848, Life Insurance Company of the Southwest, Addison, TX – chartered in 1955, and their affiliates. Each company of National Life Group is solely responsible for its own financial condition and contractual obligations. Life Insurance Company of the Southwest is not an authorized insurer in New York and does not conduct insurance business in New York. Equity Services, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC, is a Broker/Dealer and Registered Investment Adviser affiliate of National Life Insurance Company. All other entities are independent of the companies of National Life Group.

Fortune 1000 status is based on the consolidated financial results of all National Life Group companies.

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National Life Group

1 National Life Dr

Montpelier, VT 05604