Tracey A. DeSimone, CMI
Dawsonville
Summary
Qualified Senior Tax Manager with robust background in tax management and compliance. Demonstrated success in optimizing tax strategies and driving process improvements. Proven ability to lead teams and manage complex tax projects effectively.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Tax Manager
JBT Marel fka Marel Inc
02.2022 - Current
- Responsible for all aspects of sales and use tax compliance for North America
- Implemented process improvements that increased accuracy in sales and use tax filings, reducing audit risk exposure
- Enhanced internal controls surrounding the calculation and remittance of indirect taxes through regular review and updates
- Improve and maintain exemption certificate review
- Collaborated with internal and external auditors to address inquiries and resolve any discrepancies
- Develop and maintain relationship with third-party filing team
- Assisted Finance Director with accounting for income taxes in US and Canada
- Monitor compliance of annual business licenses
- Responsible for all aspects of property tax compliance
- Develop and maintain nexus status for wholly owned subsidiaries
- Assisted in the negotiation of favorable settlements for disputed indirect taxes with government authorities
- Research and sustain taxability matrix in tax software
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure proper accounting of indirect taxes across business units
- Advised senior management on strategic decisions involving significant implications for the organization''s overall tax profile
- Mentored junior team members, fostering a culture of professional growth and development within the indirect tax function.
Director, Tax Management
TaxConnex, LLC
06.2019 - 02.2022
- Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Successfully on-boarded over 12 individual practitioners since 2020
- Monitor and communicate tax developments to in-house staff professionals and independent contractors
- Involve and empower in-house staff of professionals responsible for filing over 600 sales, use and telecommunication returns; business licenses; and abandoned & unclaimed property
- Manage complex US and Canada Indirect Tax and projects; reverse audit, prior period, economic nexus, product taxability review
- Subject Matter Expert and Trainer on sales/use tax and GST/HST issues and monthly compliance processes
- Work with cross-functional teams to implement and improve end-to-end indirect tax process and procedures to mitigate identified risks
- Manage client data files as part of monthly compliance process
- Configure OneSource Sales and Use Tax Return software
- Strengthened internal controls by reviewing existing policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Research and prepare matrices for indirect tax compliance; resale certificates, electronic filing requirements, prepayment requirements
Sr. Tax Analyst
Emerson Ecologics, LLC
11.2018 - 04.2019
- Registered two companies in all 46 taxing states and local jurisdictions within 2 months
- Implementation of Vertex Returns Software package for all 46 taxing states and local jurisdictions
- Prepare reports for over 175 monthly Indirect Tax filings
- Facilitated communication between cross-functional teams, helping to ensure that all departments understood their role in maintaining tax compliance
- Communicated with external customers and taxing jurisdictions to clarify tax notices and resolve other inquiries
- Research and prepare memos on tax product taxability using Checkpoint
- Configure and maintain Vertex Return Software
- Analyzed tax issues and made recommendations for remediation to management
- Review and approve customer Exemption Certificates
Indirect Tax Manager
Clarks America, Inc.
10.2017 - 10.2018
- Configure Vertex Returns Software to streamline monthly reporting of Sales/Use Tax Returns
- Prepare all Indirect Tax filings
- Encourage junior staff professional responsible for filing over 100 monthly sales and use tax returns per month
- Research and resolve to state and local indirect tax notices
- Resolve all indirect tax audits
- Built strong relationships with regulatory authorities facilitating smooth negotiations and cooperation in resolving indirect tax matters
- Work with cross-functional teams to implement and improve end-to end indirect tax process and procedures to mitigate identified risks
- Established an efficient system for monitoring changes in sales tax rates across multiple jurisdictions
- Advised senior management on strategic decisions involving significant implications for the organization''s overall tax profile
- Developed comprehensive training programs for junior staff members, enhancing their knowledge and understanding of indirect tax regulations
- Managed cross-functional teams to ensure proper accounting of indirect taxes across business units
- Configure and maintain Vertex O Series Tax Calculation
- Maintain taxability matrix for Clarks various products and services
Sales/Use Tax Manager
PC Connection, Inc.
05.2008 - 10.2017
- Completed 'no change' Sales and Use tax audits for tax years 2009-2016
- Effectively negotiated with state of Kentucky to reduce tax liability from $150k to net $0 in 2015
- Implemented quarterly training sessions "Sales Tax Matters" with 1,500 Sales Representatives between 2017-2010
- Managed a team of junior professionals responsible for over 245 returns per month and remitting $60m annually in sales tax; and business license
- Preparation of GST/HST returns
- Represent company in all sales and use tax audits in multi-jurisdictional environment; minimize the assessments, maintain working relationship with the jurisdictions, protect the company’s rights in matters of dispute, and amend operating procedures to preclude future exposure
- Conduct due diligence to analyze and identify quarterly sales tax reserve
- Configure and maintain AvaCert with over 10,000 exempt documents
- Advise senior management of on-going tax developments
- Configure and maintain Vertex L Series tax calculation
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration of tax considerations into business decisions
- Managed a team of junior accountants, providing mentorship and professional development opportunities to foster growth
- Researched and analyzed tax developments and applications to specific business situations
- Conducted comprehensive tax research to stay updated on industry trends, regulations, and best practices
Education
B.A. - Accounting, Communications
Assumption College
Worcester, MASkills
- ERP system experience in JD Edwards, SAP, Quickbooks
- Tax software mastery in Vertex, Taxware, Avalara
- Microsoft Excel/Word
- Verbal and written communication
- Continuous learning mindset
- Tax advisory services
Accomplishments
- Reduced annual penalties and interest on tax notices from $500K to <$10K
- Recovered $1.5m in Indirect taxes paid to various jurisdictions
- Received Employee Excellence Award in 2024
- Created an Economic Nexus matrix for junior staff to evaluate company exposure
Hobbies and Interests
- Hiking
- Reading
- NASCAR
- Travel
Certification
Certified Member of Institute for Professionals in Taxation (CMI) - Institute for Professionals in Taxation
Timeline
Senior Tax Manager
JBT Marel fka Marel Inc
02.2022 - Current
Director, Tax Management
TaxConnex, LLC
06.2019 - 02.2022
Sr. Tax Analyst
Emerson Ecologics, LLC
11.2018 - 04.2019
Indirect Tax Manager
Clarks America, Inc.
10.2017 - 10.2018
Sales/Use Tax Manager
PC Connection, Inc.
05.2008 - 10.2017
B.A. - Accounting, Communications
Assumption College
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