Tax Manager

The Team:

Morningstar is a leading global provider of independent investment insights.  Our core competencies are data, research, and design, and we employ each of these to create products that clearly convey complex investment information. Our mission is to empower investor success, and everything we do at Morningstar is in the service of the investor.

Morningstar’s Finance organization is a global corporate function responsible for planning, forecasting, reporting, controls, and operational finance support across the company. The tax team works closely with Accounting, Financial Reporting, FP&A, Treasury, and Legal to deliver accurate and timely tax reporting, while also supporting the business in making informed operational and strategic decisions.

Additionally, while core tax leadership is based in Chicago, the tax team operates in coordination with shared-service support teams across multiple regions. This structure requires strong cross-regional coordination, clear process ownership, and the ability to work effectively with finance, business stakeholders, and external advisors.

Morningstar’s culture emphasizes collaboration, transparency, accountability, and continuous development. Employees are encouraged to bring forward ideas, take ownership, and contribute to a team environment where voices are heard and strong performance is recognized.

The Role:

In this role, you will assist the Director of Tax with the supervision and management of Morningstar’s tax accounting and compliance functions. This full-time role reports directly to the Director of Tax and is based in Chicago. We operate in a hybrid environment where we are in-office 4 days a week. The primary responsibilities include managing quarterly and annual tax provision processes, tax controls, review of US income tax return including book-tax differences, forms, statements, etc. as well as process improvement initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the preparation and review of quarterly and annual tax provisions and disclosures required for the 10Q/10K reporting.
• Identify uncertain tax positions and determine the potential impact on the company’s financial statements in accordance with ASC 740.
• Lead the preparation and review of the US Income tax compliance filings and related processes, including calculation of book-tax differences, preparation of supporting documentation, coordination with external providers, review of extensions/estimated tax payments, and return-to-provision activities.
• Support external audits and tax authority inquiries by preparing reconciliations, technical documentation, and other supporting materials.
• Research the applicability of any new accounting pronouncements and tax legislation and the impact to Morningstar’s tax profile.   
• Assist with maintenance and compliance of key tax SOX controls.
• Lead research and implementation of US tax planning and incentive opportunities including providing tax support on legal entity changes, internal reorganizations, and other business initiatives, as needed.
• Assist with M&A activities including due diligence, purchase accounting considerations and integration.
• Identify opportunities to improve process and automate including reducing manual effort and enhancing the overall scalability of the tax function.
• Supervise and develop junior team members, while strengthening delegation, supporting workpapers, efficiencies and execution quality across the function.
• Participate in other ad-hoc projects as assigned.
   

Requirements:

• A bachelor’s degree in accounting is required; tax emphasis preferred. M.S. in Tax and/or CPA is a preferred.  
• 5-7 years of tax experience with Big 4 accounting firm or large multi-national publicly held corporate tax department. At least two years of experience as a people-manager or in a similar supervisor capacity is required.
• ASC 740 review experience required.  
• Working knowledge of tax provision software and familiarity with business intelligence  tools (Alteryx, Power BI, Tableau, etc.) is preferred.
• Experience introducing operational and cost efficiencies by leveraging emerging or existing technology solutions (e.g. AI or automation).
• Ability to work well under pressure and manage multiple deadlines.    
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including a comfort level in communicating complex tax concepts (both internally and externally).
• Enthusiastic, self-starter with strong work ethic and excellent organizational, prioritization, and multi-tasking skills.

Compensation and Benefits

At Morningstar we believe people are at their best when they are at their healthiest. That’s why we champion your wellness through a wide range of programs that support all stages of your personal and professional life. Here are some examples of the offerings we provide:

• Financial Health

  • 100% 401k match up to 6% of salary

  • Stock Ownership Potential

  • Company provided life insurance - 1x salary + commission

• Physical Health 

  • Comprehensive health benefits (medical/dental/vision) including potential premium discounts and company-provided HSA contributions (up to $500-$2,000 annually) for specific plans and coverages

  • Additional medical Wellness Incentives - up to $300-$600 annual

  • Company-provided long- and short-term disability insurance

• Emotional Health 

  • Trust-Based Time Off

  • 6-week Paid Sabbatical Program

  • 6-Week Paid Family Caregiving Leave

  • Competitive 8-24 Week Paid Parental Leave

  • Adoption Assistance

  • Leadership Coaching & Formal Mentorship Opportunities

  • Annual Flex Stipend - $1000 annually to cover personal education & well-being expenses

  • Tuition Reimbursement

• Social Health 

  • Charitable Matching Gifts program

  • Dollars for Doers volunteer program

  • Paid volunteering days

  • 15+ Employee Resource & Affinity Groups

Total Cash Compensation Range

Inclusive of annual base salary and target incentive

Morningstar's hybrid work environment gives you the opportunity to collaborate in-person each week as we've found that we're at our best when we're purposely together on a regular basis. In most of our locations, our hybrid work model is four days in-office each week. A range of other benefits are also available to enhance flexibility as needs change. No matter where you are, you'll have tools and resources to engage meaningfully with your global colleagues.