Aaron Strong

Senior Tax Professional with 20+ years of experience supporting corporate tax compliance, state and local taxation, tax research, audit defense, financial operations, and regulatory compliance across multinational corporate, government, public accounting, and consulting environments. Experienced in multi-state sales and use tax, tax audits, compliance processes, tax technology, financial analysis, and process improvement initiatives. Proven ability to analyze complex tax issues, interpret regulations, document findings, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and support accurate tax reporting and risk mitigation.

Combines corporate tax operations experience with state tax audit expertise, including Fortune 500 client support, taxpayer examinations, administrative appeals, compliance reviews, and financial systems analysis. Experienced using SAP, Oracle ERP, Vertex, Excel VBA, Lacerte, QuickBooks Desktop, and Microsoft 365 tools to improve tax and accounting processes.

Senior Tax Preparer - Furrh & Associates, PC - Lawton, OK

(2025-12 - 2026-02)

• Prepared individual federal and state income tax returns, including Form 1040 and Schedule C filings, using Lacerte during tax season operations.
• Researched and supported resolution of approximately 30 IRS and Oklahoma Tax Commission notices involving filing, payment, and compliance issues.
• Communicated directly with clients to gather tax documentation, resolve information gaps, and support compliance matters.
• Applied prior state tax audit experience to analyze tax issues, provide compliance guidance, and assist with sales and use tax matters.
• Supported bookkeeping activities for real estate clients using QuickBooks Desktop, including preparation of journal entries and depreciation schedules.
• Utilized Lacerte, QuickBooks Desktop, Canopy, and virtual desktop technology to support tax preparation and accounting workflows.

Full Scope Senior Auditor - Oklahoma Tax Commission - Tulsa, OK

(2013-06 - 2025-09)

• Conducted complex sales and use tax audits for businesses across diverse industries, applying Oklahoma tax statutes, administrative rules, and audit methodologies to identify compliance issues and develop defensible assessment positions.
• Managed full-scope audits from initial assignment through completion, including taxpayer interviews, records analysis, issue identification, audit documentation, assessment development, and taxpayer communication.
• Examined financial records, transactional data, exemption documentation, and industry-specific tax issues to determine tax liabilities and compliance opportunities.
• Developed audit assessments involving significant tax exposure, including examinations resulting in assessments exceeding $100,000 and involving oil and gas, manufacturing, industrial operations, and corporate taxpayers.
• Applied tax research and analytical skills to resolve complex questions involving statutory interpretation, exemptions, taxable transactions, and taxpayer positions.
• Managed multiple concurrent audit assignments while coordinating documentation requests, taxpayer communications, statute considerations, and internal review requirements.
• Prepared audit documentation, supporting workpapers, written findings, and analysis for supervisory review and administrative proceedings.
• Participated in taxpayer protests and administrative appeals by analyzing disputed issues, supporting audit positions, and communicating technical conclusions.
• Served as a technical resource for fellow auditors by sharing audit approaches, tax knowledge, and technology solutions.
• Developed and improved Excel-based tools, dashboards, reporting processes, and Microsoft 365 workflow solutions to enhance operational effectiveness.
• Maintained professional development through continuing education in taxation, audit practices, technology, and industry-specific topics.

Finance & Tax Analyst / Senior Sales Tax Compliance Analyst - IBM — Business Transformation Outsourcing (BTO) - Tulsa, OK

(2004-12 - 2013-02)

Supported outsourced finance, accounting, and tax operations for major energy-sector clients, including The Williams Companies, WPX Energy, and Marathon Petroleum Corporation. Progressed through roles involving multi-state sales and use tax compliance, financial analysis, accounting operations, automation, and enterprise reporting.

• Managed multi-state sales and use tax compliance activities for The Williams Companies, supporting tax return preparation, compliance reviews, tax research, and audit activities across multiple jurisdictions.
• Supported sales and use tax audits by analyzing transaction data, evaluating audit positions, preparing documentation, and assisting with resolution of complex tax issues.
• Served as a senior technical resource for tax compliance operations by reviewing work products, providing guidance, training team members, and supporting process continuity.
• Improved compliance workflows through reporting enhancements, reconciliation improvements, and process standardization.
• Supported Vertex tax determination processes by analyzing tax classification issues, recommending tax matrix updates, and implementing approved compliance changes.
• Developed an Excel VBA automation solution for Marathon Petroleum's royalty correction remediation project, transforming millions of SAP-generated transactions and corrected interest calculations into SAP-compatible journal entry upload files.
• Supported WPX Energy financial operations following its separation from The Williams Companies, including month-end close activities, journal entries, account reconciliations, Oracle ERP transactions, audit workpapers, and SOX-controlled accounting processes.
• Leveraged SAP, Oracle ERP, Vertex, Excel VBA, and financial analysis skills to support enterprise tax, accounting, and process improvement initiatives.

Revenue Agent — Small Business/Self-Employed Division - Internal Revenue Service - Tulsa, OK

(2001-06 - 2004-02)

• Conducted federal tax examinations of individual and business taxpayers, applying Internal Revenue Code provisions, Treasury regulations, and IRS examination procedures.
• Analyzed financial records, supporting documentation, and taxpayer positions to determine compliance with federal tax requirements.
• Prepared examination workpapers and communicated findings with taxpayers and representatives.
• Researched tax issues and applied federal tax guidance to resolve complex compliance matters.

Master of Science - Accounting - Oklahoma State University

Bachelor of Science - Accounting - Oklahoma State University