UMA CHOPPALI
Team Lead
Pune
Summary
A results-driven tax professional with over 10 years of experience in Sales & Use Tax and Accounts Payable (Quality Team) . Expertise in analyzing, reviewing, and adjusting tax reporting packages while identifying and communicating tax compliance risks to management and partners. Proficient in tax planning, management, and reconciliation, with a deep understanding of US GAAP , IFRS , and both current and deferred tax concepts. Experienced in the preparation and filing of US Sales and Use Tax Returns , SOP Writing , PKT building , and process migration . Known for maintaining 100% SLA performance and improving team quality, earning multiple recognitions and awards. Well-versed in Communication Tax and Lodging Tax , aligning tax implications with business strategies. Skilled in using tools such as Salesforce , JIRA , Power BI , AvaTax (Avalara) , and BPMS , with a strong focus on maintaining compliance with Quality and Risk Management (Q&RM) guidelines.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
3
3
Certifications
4
4
Languages
Work History
Team Lead
Avalara Technologies
08.2022 - Current
- Managed end-to-end sales and use and Lodging tax compliance for 40+ states, including return preparation, filing, and payments.
- Managing Indirect Tax compliance (driven by automation-led process design and execution); scope - Return prep, Filing, Business licensing & registrations, Notices, Client cases, on-boarding and payment remittance
- Leading a team of 40+ professionals, managing Sales & Use Tax (SUT) core and premium returns flings, payments, jurisdiction notice management, and customer queries/escalations via Salesforce, ensuring compliance and high customer satisfaction
- Strategizing with leadership for growth and transformation to align on business priorities, automation strategy, and work transition - ensuring a robust and scalable compliance delivery model
- Collaboration with cross-functional stakeholders, including onsite teams, SMEs, and L&D, to identify training needs, enhance team capabilities, and ensure consistent process improvement
- Cross-functional collaboration for product automation with that of engineering, tax forms, content teams to achieved Ops efficiency and cost benefits
- Successfully migrated Lodging and Telecommunication Tax processes from the US to Pune, leading training, knowledge transfer, and stabilization to ensure seamless operations and consistent deliverables
- Setting up, delivering SLA/KPI metrics across the Business lines to provide great Client Experience and drive initiatives for thriving Business • Building a strong, engaged, and motivated workforce; coaching the front-line managers cultivating a culture of ownership, collaboration, and excellence.
- Proficient comprehension of standard support metrics including Initial Response , KPI , SLA , CSAT , and NPS
Senior Tax Analyst
Avalara Technologies
03.2020 - 08.2022
- Preparing and filing of Sales & Use Tax returns on time accurately.
- Ensuring company is reporting their finances and submitting tax paperwork in compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
- Assisting in identifying knowledge gaps & facilitating training sessions.
- Helping in preparing reports and schedules to be delivered to clients and other parties.
- Conducting research and resolving all tax issues related to sales & use taxes and queries from tax authorities.
- Managing engagements in the field of Indirect Tax for clients; providing advice on Indirect Tax laws and regulations.
- Participating in the planning of team deliverables for periodic filing cycle/projects.
- Maintaining the list of JIRA tickets; tracking progress and providing status update.
- Providing up-to-date documentation of process manuals and SOPs.
Associate Analyst and Analyst
Avalara Technologies
08.2016 - 03.2020
- Prepared and fled multi-jurisdictional Sales & Use Tax returns for clients, ensuring compliance with relevant tax regulations
- Developed strong customer relationships by explaining complex tax concepts, resolving queries, and delivering timely, accurate reports to clients
- Identified opportunities for automation in tax-related processes and worked closely with engineering and product teams to implement improvements
- Worked with supervisors and team members to improve tax fling procedures, including developing and updating SOPs and process manuals
- Automated pre & post fling steps to eliminate paper and save time
- Conducted quality assurance on Sales & Use Tax content, ensuring accuracy and compliance with any tax law or form changes
- Performed reconciliations and handled pre/post-fling tasks, ensuring accuracy of tax flings and assisting in internal audits
- Collaborated with onsite teams and stakeholders to deliver tax solutions that met client requirements and deadlines
- Supported team development by tracking deliverables, allocating work based on individual strengths, and ensuring deadlines were met
Associate - Centralized Quality Team
Tata Consultancy Services
06.2014 - 08.2016
- Conducted quality reviews of operational processes and documentation across multiple teams to ensure compliance with internal standards and external regulations.
- Identified process gaps and collaborated with cross-functional teams to implement corrective actions, improving quality metrics.
- Maintained and updated SOPs, checklists, and quality audit reports to drive standardization and consistency.
- Supported root cause analysis (RCA) and corrective & preventive actions (CAPA) for identified quality issues, enhancing process reliability.
- Coordinated with internal audit teams to facilitate regular and ad-hoc audits, ensuring readiness and adherence to compliance requirements.
- Provided training and feedback to team members on quality standards and best practices, leading to improved first-time accuracy rates.
- Ensured timely resolution of quality discrepancies, working closely with operations, compliance, and reporting teams.
- Acted as a liaison between on-ground teams and leadership, presenting quality insights and contributing to continuous improvement initiatives.
Education
Advance Management - Corporate leadership
M.Com. - undefined
B.Com. -
04.2001 - 01.2014
Skills
Sales and Use Tax Compliance – Preparing, reviewing, and filing returns across multiple jurisdictions in compliance with local tax laws Exemption Certificate Management – Reviewing and managing resale and exemption certificates to reduce audit riskAudit Support – Assisting in responding to sales tax audits by compiling data, documentation, and justificationsTax Data Reconciliation – Reconciliation of tax data from accounting systems with tax return filings to ensure accuracy and audit readinessTaxability Mapping – Classifying products and services accurately based on jurisdictional rules to ensure correct tax treatmentIndirect Tax Research & Analysis – Interpreting tax laws and regulations to determine accurate taxability for products and servicesSales and Use Tax Compliance – Preparing, reviewing, and filing returns across multiple jurisdictions in compliance with local tax laws
Certification
Six Sigma Foundation
Personal Information
Date of Birth: 04/12/94
Accomplishments
- Employee of the Year – Recognized for outstanding performance and contributions in 2014, 2015, 2020, and 2021.
- Orange Ambassador (2021–2023) – Selected as a cultural and engagement champion, driving employee experience initiatives and representing the organization's core values.
- Hackathon Winner – 2022 – Led a cross-functional team to develop an innovative solution that addressed a critical process gap, earning top recognition among participants.
- Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certified – Applied Six Sigma methodologies to drive continuous improvement initiatives; led multiple process improvement projects that enhanced efficiency and increased automation.
Timeline
Team Lead - Avalara Technologies
08.2022 - Current
Senior Tax Analyst - Avalara Technologies
03.2020 - 08.2022
Associate Analyst and Analyst - Avalara Technologies
08.2016 - 03.2020
Associate - Centralized Quality Team - Tata Consultancy Services
06.2014 - 08.2016
Nagpur University - B.Com.,
04.2001 - 01.2014
Pune University - M.Com.,
IIM Indore - Advance Management, Corporate leadership