Merchants Bancorp is seeking a strategic and accomplished tax executive to serve as our next Senior Vice President, Head of Tax. While headquartered in Carmel, Indiana, Merchants is far more than a traditional regional bank. As a diversified financial holding company with more than $21 billion in assets, we operate a nationwide platform spanning multifamily housing and healthcare finance, mortgage warehouse lending, tax-advantaged investment platforms, residential mortgage banking, agricultural lending, and community banking. In this highly visible leadership role, you will shape and execute the enterprise tax strategy across a complex multi-entity organization, partnering with executive leadership and the Board to drive compliance, optimize tax outcomes, and support business growth across our diverse national lending and investment platforms. This is a unique opportunity for a hands-on tax leader to make a meaningful impact within a dynamic, growth-oriented organization while working alongside a collaborative team at our corporate headquarters in Carmel, Indiana.
The Senior Vice President, Head of Tax can do the following confidently and independently...
Tax Strategy & Planning
- Develop and execute the Company’s enterprise tax strategy to responsibly optimize the effective tax rate while managing risk and maintaining full compliance.
- Lead tax planning for tax-advantaged investments, including Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), and advise on the proportional amortization method and related GAAP/tax positions.
- Evaluate and structure federal and state tax credit opportunities (e.g., R&D, energy, and state-specific credits), coordinating with external advisors such as KPMG.
- Provide tax guidance on M&A, new business lines, entity structuring, and intercompany transactions across the MBIN/MBI/MCC/MCI family of entities.
- Partner with the CFO and business leaders on balance-sheet optimization initiatives that carry tax implications (e.g., asset placement across legal entities for tax efficiency).
- Tax Provision & Financial Reporting
- Own the quarterly and annual income tax provision (ASC 740), including current and deferred tax calculations, valuation allowance analysis, and effective tax rate reconciliation.
- Ensure accurate and timely tax disclosures in SEC filings (10-Q, 10-K) in coordination with SEC Reporting and external auditors.
- Maintain robust documentation and support for uncertain tax positions (FIN 48 / ASC 740-10).
Compliance & Operations
- Oversee the preparation and timely filing of all tax returns across all entities—federal, state, and local income, franchise, and information returns.
- Own all non-income tax obligations across the enterprise, including property, sales/use, and other transaction and excise taxes.
- Manage tax audits, notices, and examinations with federal, state, and local authorities, serving as the Company’s primary point of contact.
- Monitor legislative and regulatory developments, assess impact to the Company, and communicate implications to management.
Controls, Risk & Governance
- Establish and maintain effective internal controls over tax accounting and reporting consistent with SOX requirements.
- Develop tax policies, procedures, and documentation standards suitable for audit and examination.
- Present tax matters, strategy, and risk assessments to senior management, the Audit Committee, and the Board as needed.
- Leadership & Collaboration
- Lead, mentor, and develop the existing tax team while building out its structure, talent, processes, and technology roadmap to enhance enterprise capabilities.
- Manage relationships with external tax advisors, auditors, and consultants, ensuring value and accountability.
- Partner cross-functionally with Finance, Accounting, Treasury, Legal, and the business verticals to embed tax considerations into decision-making.
Controls, Risk & Governance
- Establish and maintain effective internal controls over tax accounting and reporting consistent with SOX requirements.
- Develop tax policies, procedures, and documentation standards suitable for audit and examination.
- Present tax matters, strategy, and risk assessments to senior management, the Audit Committee, and the Board as needed.
Leadership & Collaboration
- Lead, mentor, and develop the existing tax team while building out its structure, talent, processes, and technology roadmap to enhance enterprise capabilities.
- Manage relationships with external tax advisors, auditors, and consultants, ensuring value and accountability.
- Partner cross-functionally with Finance, Accounting, Treasury, Legal, and the business verticals to embed tax considerations into decision-making.
Reports to the Chief Accounting Officer, Merchants Bank.
