In this article, we provide guidance for tax professionals interviewing with foreign-owned companies in the United States. We outline five key questions to ask during the interview process:
- What percentage of revenue and profit comes from the U.S. versus other countries? We explain that this information can indicate the U.S. operation's importance in decision-making and resource allocation.
- What is the size of the foreign parent tax team and reporting structure in the U.S. and overseas? We note that this helps understand how involved the U.S. will be in tax decisions.
- What is the company's risk tolerance from a tax perspective? We highlight that this can indicate whether the tax department is more focused on compliance or planning.
- Is the company in growth mode and how acquisitive is it? We connect this to risk tolerance and suggest it might influence the focus on tax planning.
- How much autonomy does the U.S. operation have? We emphasize the importance of understanding which decisions are made in the U.S. versus overseas.
We stress that these questions can help candidates assess whether the role and company culture align with their needs and preferences. Overall, we aim to help tax professionals make informed decisions when considering positions with foreign-owned companies in the U.S.
