Angelique Carter.

Most tax professionals appreciate the fact that no two days are exactly alike, and Angelique Carter, senior manager of income tax controversy at DISH Network Corporation, is no exception.

"After taking accounting classes, I found tax work to be more interesting than GL [general ledger] accounting, because it required a different flavor of critical thinking, analysis, planning, and defending a tax position," she says. "There is also quite a bit of variety in the work. I generally don't do the same thing from one day to the next, which keeps the work interesting."

In the corporate tax world, Carter explains, "we have an opportunity to touch many different parts of the tax code. I've done employment tax, transaction tax, R&D, Section 199, partnership work, just to name a few. I enjoy the international tax work the most. I enjoy understanding how the treaties work, how they apply to transactions, and understanding compliance in different countries."

What's the most problematic tax law problem Carter has encountered since joining DISH?

"I think the most problematic issue I've dealt with is really the challenge the IRS has in applying its limited resources. The IRS continues to have limited staff to work audits. The Treasury isn't going to stop collecting taxes anytime soon; businesses large and small would be best served by a better-funded IRS," she says.

Carter clearly appreciates her tenure at DISH thus far. "The company has created many different business lines and has acquired several businesses," she explains. "From the perspective of a tax person, this makes for interesting work and creates opportunities to learn about how tax would apply to the changes in the business. There is always an opportunity to learn something new."

Working for State of Colorado

Carter also says she's learned valuable lessons from her previous job working for the state of Colorado.

"I was a field auditor for the Colorado Department of Labor. The job required me to be very good at organizing and managing my time. I audited many small businesses--people who are not necessarily accountants. This required me to explain the law in a way that was understandable to nontax people, which necessitates a solid understanding of the law. Dealing with small businesses also helped me understand really how much at a disadvantage a small business [is] against a taxing authority. I was also able to transfer my knowledge and skills to my current role, working on the other side of...

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