Kristen Blaire Hale
Covington,TN
Summary
Dynamic tax professional with extensive expertise in multi-state sales and use tax compliance, financial analysis, and team leadership. Proven success in managing complex tax operations, ensuring timely and accurate filings while leading high-performing teams toward excellence. Committed to continuous learning and making impactful contributions in a Director role. Strategic thinker focused on optimizing processes and enhancing overall organizational performance.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Manager, Transaction Tax
Hilton Worlwide
Memphis, TN
09.2023 - Current
- Lead the project of creating and implementing an automated workflow and paperless system.
- Provided strong leadership to enhance team productivity and morale.
- Managed large-scale projects and introduced new systems, tools, and processes to achieve challenging objectives.
- Review and approve sales and use tax returns, ensuring completeness and accuracy.
- Develop and implement process improvements to streamline tax operations, reduce risk, and enhance efficiency.
- Provide leadership and direction to a team of tax professionals, fostering development, accountability, and operational excellence.
Manager, Transaction Tax
Hilton Worldwide
Memphis, TN
10.2021 - 09.2023
- Lead the project of creating and implementing a new software for processing sales and use tax calculations, returns, and automation.
- Prepared and reviewed filings of multi-state sales and use tax returns, ensuring accuracy and compliance across multiple jurisdictions.
- Ensure timely filing and payment of all tax obligations, maintaining compliance with state and local regulations.
- Review and approve sales and use tax returns, ensuring completeness and accuracy.
- Manage annual reconciliations of tax accounts, coordinating with finance and accounting teams to resolve variances.
- Manage workload distribution and ensure deadlines are met.
Senior Sales Tax Accountant
Hilton Worldwide
Memphis, TN
09.2018 - 10.2021
- Prepared complex tax returns for managed hotels, ensuring compliance with regulations.
- Preparation and filing of multi-state sales and use tax returns, ensuring accuracy and compliance across multiple jurisdictions.
- Worked closely with properties during the HAFS transition to take over the preparation of returns.
- Ensure timely filing and payment of all transaction tax obligations, maintaining compliance with state and local regulations.
- Conduct tax research to stay current on legislative changes, and assess their impact on business operations.
Sales Tax Accountant
Hilton Worldwide
Memphis, TN
04.2016 - 09.2018
- Preparation and filing of multi-state sales and use tax returns, ensuring accuracy and compliance across multiple jurisdictions.
- Analyze financial return data to identify trends, discrepancies, and opportunities for process improvement.
- Ensure timely filing and payment of all tax obligations, maintaining compliance with state and local regulations.
- Conduct tax research to stay current on legislative changes, and assess their impact on business operations.
- Develop and implement process improvements to streamline tax operations, reduce risk, and enhance efficiency.
- Manage workload distribution, and ensure deadlines are met.
Accountant
Cowart Reese Sargent, CPAs
Paris, TN
01.2013 - 04.2016
- Prepared accurate financial statements in compliance with regulations and accounting standards.
- Reconciled account information and reported figures in general ledger by comparing to bank account statement each month.
- Prepared individual and business income tax returns, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations.
- Prepared multi-state business sales and use tax returns.
- Reviewed client financial records to identify deductions and credits, maximizing tax benefits.
- Processed payroll, ensuring timely and accurate disbursement of wages.
- Maintained accurate financial records using accounting software and spreadsheets.
- Assisted in audits and inventory.
Accountant
Wright CPA Firm
Huntingdon, TN
07.2011 - 01.2013
- Prepared accurate financial statements in compliance with regulations and accounting standards.
- Reconciled account information and reported figures in general ledger by comparing to bank account statement each month.
- Prepared individual and business income tax returns, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations.
- Prepared multi-state business sales and use tax returns.
- Reviewed client financial records to identify deductions and credits, maximizing tax benefits.
- Processed payroll, ensuring timely and accurate disbursement of wages.
- Maintained accurate financial records using accounting software and spreadsheets.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Accounting
Bethel University
McKenzie, TN05-2010
Associates - Health and Physical Education
Jackson State Community College
Jackson, TN05-2007
Skills
- Microsoft Office Suite
- PeopleSoft
- Operations Audit
- SharePoint
- Quickbooks
- Creative Solutions Accounting
- Ultra Tax
Timeline
Senior Manager, Transaction Tax
Hilton Worlwide
09.2023 - Current
Manager, Transaction Tax
Hilton Worldwide
10.2021 - 09.2023
Senior Sales Tax Accountant
Hilton Worldwide
09.2018 - 10.2021
Sales Tax Accountant
Hilton Worldwide
04.2016 - 09.2018
Accountant
Cowart Reese Sargent, CPAs
01.2013 - 04.2016
Accountant
Wright CPA Firm
07.2011 - 01.2013
Bachelor of Science - Accounting
Bethel University
Associates - Health and Physical Education
Jackson State Community College