Valerie Sparks

678-***-****

acus7r@r.postjobfree.com

Professional Summary

Strategic Sales/Use Tax Professional with 10+ years experience in multi-state compliance, general ledger tax analysis, audit defense and resolution, technology updates to correspond with audit results for large multinational manufacturers, retail and service corporations. Expertise interacting with cross-functional teams to mitigate sales/use tax exposure through understanding and navigating the organization. Highly skilled in data mining which required strict attention to detail to uncover discrepancies. Strong ability to work effectively with State Tax Auditors promoting a positive audit experience. Demonstrated excellent written and communication skills by developing and facilitating tax guides.

Professional Experience:

Contractor Roles:

Argos USA Alpharetta GA

January 2016 – March 2016

Instrumental in developing a multi-jurisdiction matrix to track business licenses for over 200 locations. Successfully obtained licenses and avoiding business shut-downs. Also, abated late filing fees.

Nuance Communications Inc. Sandy Springs GA

2015-2016

Resolved multi-jurisdiction agency notices. Conducted research regarding taxable income. Monitored SUTA rates. Implemented process to obtain documentation for Pennsylvania employees. Submitted documentation that lead to a $150k refund in SUTA taxes paid in error. Worked with ADP to address outstanding state tax notices, SUTA rate issues and system setups.

Turner Broadcasting Inc. Atlanta GA

2014

Analyzed and reconciled tax transactions. Prepared data for compliance processing handled by Avalara . Assisted with Georgia sales tax audit.

Permanent Roles:

Suntrust Bank Atlanta GA

2014-2015

Managed multi-state sales tax audits for the leasing division. Conducted state tax research regarding taxability based on lease contract; purchase price or rental stream.

Valerie Sparks – Page 2

Due to cost restricting, role as Tax Manager was eliminated

US Security Associates, Inc. Roswell, GA

June 2012 – January 2014

Contractor/Tax Manager

Managed the outsourcing of sales and property tax compliance to third party vendors.

Evaluated sales tax liability for accuracy by testing transactions for validity based on business operations and state regulations. P

rocessed and resolved outstanding multi-state sales, withholding and property tax notices.

Resolve local withholding tax issues by identifying weaknesses in how the system performs payroll tax computations.

Research local tax ordinances to support system enhancements for greater achievement in accuracy of payroll tax calculations.

Manage all aspects of multi-state sales and use tax audits from scheduling, providing requested audit records to closing and negotiating results. Trained, reviewed and oversee activities of tax staff.

Preparation and review of business license filings.

Successfully reduced sales tax audit assessment over 50% by locating difficult records.

Effectively reduced erroneous withholding calculations as result of system recommendations

Reduced property tax exposure by identifying closed locations and ceasing payments

Due to cost restricting, role as Tax Manager was eliminated

Newell Rubbermaid Inc. Sandy Springs, GA

July 2008-March 2012

Tax Manager

Management and review of the sales and use tax compliance process.

Performance of general ledger reconciliation of use tax accounts for multiple entities.

Provided training to tax staff relating to sales/use tax audits, compliance and general ledger issues.

Provide technical advice to the business on Sales/Use Taxation of the company’s products domestically.

Worked closely with SAP Team to ensure the tax decision making process was successful.

Conducted reverse audits.

Managed all aspects of sales/use tax audits; Scheduling, data collection, tax research, settlement negotiations, updating the tax decision matrices and communicating results to senior management.

Developed and facilitated tax guide for procurement, credit, sales and accounts receivable teams.

Managed and reviewed exemption documents for multiple business units.

Prepared multijurisdictional sales/use tax nexus study.

Resolved sales/use tax notices.

Prepared Federal and State Income tax returns.

Managed and maintained Vertex taxability matrices.

Successfully reduced sales tax audit from $1.2M to under $300K

Developed and conducted training sessions in use tax decision making; effectively reducing inaccurate tax accruals. For instance, identified and prevented over $2M in use tax accruals from being remitted

Tax Manager Served as Sales/Use Tax expert to multiple business lines

Maintained quarterly sales/use tax reserve

Developed and maintained exemption documents database for over 10,000 customers

Valerie Sparks – Page 3

Metso USA, Inc. Norcross, GA

Jun. 2007- June 2008

Sr. Tax Analyst

Management and review of the sales and use tax compliance process.

Performance of general ledger reconciliation of use tax accounts for multiple entities.

Served as sales/use tax resource and provided technical guidance for multiple business units.

Managed all aspects of the sales/use tax state audits.

Maintained exemption certificates.

Automated tax return process using Taxware.

Automated manual tax return process by working with the Technology team and Taxware

Georgia-Pacific Corporation Atlanta, GA

December 2001 - June 2007

Supervisor, Sales/Use Tax

Supervised and review of the use tax compliance process.

Managed all aspects of sales/use tax audits including; Scheduling, data collection, Tax research-RIA/CCH, settlement negotiations to updating the tax decision matrices.

Participated in reverse audits.

Review of sales/use tax returns.

Review statutes and regulations to evaluate sales/use tax impact

Participated in fact gathering study of SAP to determine most efficient tool to

Perform tax determination decisions

Performed personnel related tasks including performance evaluation, coaching and staff development

Miscellaneous tax projects such as monthly review of tax transactions for accuracy

Resolved invoice issues surrounding tax determination within Vertex

Provided key support to regional tax managers in gathering data in relation to tax accruals, report queries and researching tax issues

Reduced Texas Use tax audit from $20M to $5M; New York Sales Tax audit from $15M to $3M.

Effectively reduced other sales/use tax audits

Led project to secure exemption documents for over 50,000 customers

Education:

BA, Business Management - 1997

St. Mary’s College

Moraga, CA

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