Tax Director

 

Westlake Financial is the largest privately held finance company in the nation, with a proven track record for sustained growth, technological advancement and industry leadership.

We are seeking a highly skilled and strategic Tax Director to lead and manage all aspects of tax compliance and planning for a complex consolidated group of over 15 entities. The consolidated Westlake group is a Partnership LLC structure, with 3 of our subsidiaries designated as C-Corps. This role is integral to managing risk, ensuring compliance and developing tax strategies to support the Company’s long-term vision. The Director role requires a deep understanding of federal, state, and local tax laws, exceptional organizational abilities, and strategic leadership to ensure accurate and timely tax compliance.

 

The Tax Director will be responsible for managing the Tax team, service providers, work streams and internal tax projects at Westlake. The Director will work closely with other Westlake personnel in Accounting, Legal, Finance and IT, along with our external service providers, to manage tax risk across Westlake entities and drive accurate and timely tax reporting across various subsidiaries. This is a high-impact leadership position for a forward thinking tax professional who seeks to contribute to an innovative organization. The Director will require advanced technical knowledge and leadership capabilities to ensure the Company meets regulatory deadlines, develops tax strategies, and maintains compliance with evolving tax regulations.

 

We are committed to growing and strengthening our organization by hiring the people that make Westlake World (our culture) what it is. Through hiring the best fitting applicant and supporting our people in further developing their skills, we transition our Applicants into Westlake Warriors (our people).

 

With over $23.5 Billion in assets and $4.4 Billion in annual revenue, we operate at the cutting edge of financial services, not merely as an auto finance company, but as a technology driven enterprise redefining how finance is delivered, optimized and scaled.

 

At Westlake, we build robust platforms, deploy smart automation and utilize data-driven insights deliver exceptional value to our more than 21,000 dealer partners across North America. As we continue to grow, we seek individuals who embody our entrepreneurial spirit, embrace innovation and are driven to perform at the highest level.

 

Brief Descriptions:

 DUTIES, TASKS, RESPONSIBILITIES (include, but not limited to)

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of four internal tax professionals, fostering a high-performance culture;
• Oversee the preparation and filing of all federal, state, and local tax returns, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and full compliance with applicable laws;
• Review Partnership K-1’s for state and federal filings, 704(b) and 704(c) calculations, tax forecasts and various other critical filing documents
• Design and implement strategic tax planning initiatives that align with business goals and support the Company’s evolving legal and corporate structure;
• Partner with internal stakeholders and external service providers to manage and execute tax deliverables for internal leadership and the Company’s partnership group;
• Monitor and interpret changes in tax laws and regulations; assess the impact and guide the business accordingly;
• Provide tax insight on complex business transactions, corporate restructurings, and M&A opportunities;
• Present regular updates to executive leadership and the Board of Directors on key tax matters, risks, and initiatives;
• Drive process improvements through technology and automation, identifying opportunities to modernize and streamline tax operations;
• Ensure audit readiness and manage responses to tax authorities, maintaining strong internal documentation and controls;
• Support financial reporting by reviewing tax provision schedules and ensuring alignment with GAAP standards.

 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, LICENSES

• Comprehensive understanding of federal, state and local tax laws.
• Attains a thorough understanding and application of GAAP.
• Highly detail-oriented and organized.
• Ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with different levels of employees.
• Highly analytical and strong problem-solving skills.
• Ability to acclimate and work in a high pace environment.
• Proficient in MS Word and Excel (Access is a plus).
• Knowledge of SQL and Macro is a plus.

 

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and/or Master’s degree in Taxation.
• CPA/CPA Candidate.

 

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 8 years of tax accounting with a specialization in taxation.
• PREFERRED: Three years in public accounting from Big Four or equivalent.

 

What’s the expected pay for this role?

• $170,000 to $230,000 per year
• The exact starting compensation to be offered will be determined at the time of selecting an applicant for hire and will be dependent on a wide range of factors, including but not limited to geographic location, skill set, experience, education, credentials, and licensure when applicable.

What do we offer?

• Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits
• Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Account
• 401K matching
• Employee Stock Ownership Program, plus company matching
• Wellness Program, Daily Team Exercises
• Westlake University, Certification Programs
• Career Path Opportunities
• Discounts on Parks, Museums, Movie Tickets, and Attractions
• AT&T Wireless Discounts
• Paid Vacations Days
• Paid Sick days
• Paid holidays
• Rental Car Discounts
• Dell Member Purchase Program
• UKG Wallet – pay advance

Acknowledgement
We will consider for employment all qualified Applicants, including those with Criminal Histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.
We are an equal opportunity employer and do not unlawfully discriminate in employment. No question on this application is used for the purpose of limiting or excluding any applicant from consideration for employment on a basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. Equal access to employment, services, and programs is available to all persons. Those applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application and/or interview process should notify a representative of the organization.