Sr Passenger Tax Analyst

Department:

Our Company Promise

We are committed to provide our Employees a stable work environment with equal opportunity for learning and personal growth. Creativity and innovation are encouraged for improving the effectiveness of Southwest Airlines. Above all, Employees will be provided the same concern, respect, and caring attitude within the organization that they are expected to share externally with every Southwest Customer.

Job Description:

Ready to apply your expertise to one of the most complex and critical areas of airline finance? As a Senior Passenger Tax Analyst, you will serve as a subject matter expert on passenger taxes and fees, ensuring accurate calculation, reporting, and remittance across domestic and international markets. You will analyze complex tax data, support internal and external audits, and collaborate with Business and Technology teams to maintain compliance with applicable laws and regulations. In this role, you will identify and mitigate risks, support new market launches and system enhancements, and help resolve complex tax scenarios that impact Southwest’s operations. Your work will directly support financial accuracy, regulatory compliance, revenue integrity, and the Company's ability to operate and grow confidently across its network. 

Additional details: 

• The culture of Southwest Airlines means we value the camaraderie, collaboration, and innovation that occurs when we come together and interact face-to-face at our vibrant Corporate Campus. Due to the nature of this role, you would be required to work from our Dallas, TX headquarters facility during business hours.     

• U.S. citizenship or current authorization to work in the U.S.  and no current or future work authorization sponsorship available.   

We’re committed to fair hiring practices and to making employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, military or veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other legally protected characteristics.   

• Manage implementation and maintenance of passenger ticket taxes and fees into the revenue accounting system ensuring accurate and complete system calculation in compliance with U.S. and foreign laws, rules, and regulations
• Analyze complex ticket tax and fee data pulled from multiple sources, review for unexpected trends or results, reconcile to internal financial systems, and report results
• Ensure reporting is complete, accurate, and in compliance with governmental and taxing authorities, and prepare detailed audit packages and provide a system walk-through in support of Federal, State, and international external audits
• Maintain existing and build new relationships across the Company, and connect with others by articulating a shared sense of purpose, listening to others perspectives, and contributing subject matter expertise across multiple Teams and Departments
• Act as a trusted resource, effectively communicating facts, insights, and recommendations across Teams, Departments, and projects; acts as an influencer, mentor and trainer
• Collaborate with Business and Technology Team Members to ensure passenger ticket tax and fee obligations are communicated, tested, and interfaced into the revenue accounting system for new market integrations, upgrades, or complex commercial projects or production defects
• Review and validate solutions for inconsistencies and errors prior to implementing the changes in the revenue accounting system
• Record accounting entries and perform analysis to complete the financial close process with limited guidance and supervision
• Lead Teams to identify efficiency improvements and other continuous improvement opportunities within department
• May perform other job duties as directed by Employee’s Leaders

• Knowledge of Company and regulatory ticketing, refund, and banking policies considered when performing analyses, responding to inquiries and when participating on projects
• Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, tax code, internal controls and SOX compliance, industry trends, customer payments and refunds policies, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data
• Knowledge of software systems and tools, including database tools, used in performance of day-to-day functional duties
• Knowledge of upstream and downstream technology systems, and how they impact the systems and tools used by the Team
• Skilled in collecting, organizing, visualizing, and assimilating data, including turning raw data into meaningful information using ad hoc reporting tools, data-oriented programming languages and visualization software
• Skilled in identifying complex trends, anomalies, and process or system defects; collaborating with Team Members and internal Customers to evaluate root causes and possible cross-functional impacts; and developing and communicating the optimal plan of action that considers cost, efficiency and Customer Service
• Skilled in use of Microsoft Office products, particularly Excel spreadsheets, Word documents, and PowerPoint presentations
• Skilled in effectively communicating complex financial, ticketing and systems information to those without a similar background and to all position levels
• Skilled in effectively communicating information and ideas in a concise and compelling story-line using all forms of communication, tailoring tone, style and content to the intended audience
• Ability to demonstrate executive presence in front of all levels of management and represent the department at cross-functional meetings

• Education
• Required: High School Diploma or GED

• Advanced-level experience, seasoned and specialized knowledge in:
  • Accounting, Finance, Business or Management Information Systems
  • Passenger ticket taxes & fees
  • Financial and business risks and impacts
  • Data collection and analysis
  • Airline ticketing, payment & settlements, refunds, customer funds, payment fraud risk

Preferred:

• Experience in tax compliance and tax research
• Experience with SAP and/or Alteryx
• Experience analyzing complex financial or tax data

Licensing/Certification

• N/A

• Ability to perform work duties from [limited space workstation/desk/office area] for extended periods of time
• Ability to communicate and interact with others in the English language to meet the demands of the job
• Ability to use a computer and other office productivity tools with sufficient speed and accuracy to meet the demands of the job

• Must be a U.S. citizen or have authorization to work in the United States as defined by the Immigration Reform Act of 1986
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must be able to comply with Company attendance standards as described in established guidelines
• Must maintain a well-groomed appearance per Company appearance standards as described in established guidelines
• Must meet confidentiality expectations as to confidential, proprietary, and sensitive Company information
• Must have the flexibility to work extended hours, including occasional weekends, and Company holidays

Pay & Benefits: Competitive market salary from $$98,650.00 per year to $109,600.00 year* depending on qualifications and experience. For eligible Leadership and individual contributor roles, additional bonus opportunities are available and awarded at the discretion of the Company

Benefits you’ll love:   

•Fly for free, as a privilege, on any open seat on all Southwest flights (your eligible dependents too) 

• Southwest will help fund your Retirement Savings Plan, which includes a dollar for-dollar 401(k) Company match contribution of up to 9.3% of your eligible earnings**

• Potential for annual profit-sharing contribution in the Southwest Retirement Savings Plan—when Southwest profits, you profit***

• Competitive health insurance for you and your eligible dependents

• Southwest offers health plan coverage options that start from the very first day of employment. You'll have 30 days to select and enroll in your health plan, and coverage will be retroactively available to your first day of employment.

• Explore more benefits you’ll love: https://careers.southwestair.com/benefits

*Pay amount doesn’t guarantee employment for any particular period. **401(k) Company match contributions are subject to the plan’s vesting schedule. Match contributions may vary based on the position.

*** Profit-sharing contributions are subject to the Retirement Savings Plan vesting schedule and are made at the discretion of the Company.

Southwest Airlines is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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