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
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
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
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
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
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
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