Tax Analyst

About This Role

This Tax Analyst role involves performing tax payment, reporting, accounting, and compliance activities for Sunlife, its Canadian subsidiaries, and its investment funds. Reporting to the AVP, Indirect Tax, the analyst supports Canadian indirect tax and premium tax compliance, including returns, reconciliations, and accruals. A key component of the role is identifying practical opportunities to simplify and automate recurring processes, improve data quality, and strengthen controls.

Responsibilities

• Prepare accurate and timely GST/HST, QST, and provincial sales tax returns for Sunlife and its Canadian subsidiaries
• Prepare and remit weekly and monthly withholding tax payments to the appropriate tax authorities
• Calculate and process premium tax accruals and instalments, and prepare annual premium tax returns
• Perform reconciliations of premium tax, GST/HST, QST and provincial sales tax accounts
• Prepare supporting calculations and journal entry requests for tax accruals, payments and adjustments
• Investigate variances, identify root causes and correct errors through the reconciliation process
• Analyze Accounts Payable and expense report data to identify and resolve tax compliance and coding issues and recommend corrective or preventive improvements
• Assist with federal and provincial indirect tax audits by gathering supporting documentation, preparing schedules and supporting responses to information requests
• Research routine indirect tax matters, monitor relevant changes, and respond to business-partner questions, escalating complex or higher-risk matters as appropriate
• Review recurring compliance processes and implement practical standardization and automation opportunities using Excel, SAP, and other available tools
• Develop and maintain standardized documentation, test and monitor process changes, resolve exceptions, and communicate material outcomes
• Maintain appropriate supporting documentation and controls, escalate exceptions, and collaborate with stakeholders to resolve issues and improve processes

Requirements

• 2-3 years of experience in corporate accounting, financial reporting, or tax compliance
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field
• Hands-on experience with accounting and reporting systems; SAP experience is required
• Strong Excel skills (proficient with Pivot Tables, X/V-lookups) and comfort working with large amounts of financial data
• A continuous-improvement mindset and comfort assessing processes, proposing practical solutions, documenting and testing changes, and learning new systems that reduce manual work
• Strong analytical, reconciliation, and problem-solving skills, with initiative and sound judgment about when to seek guidance