Tax Specialist - senior management

My client is looking for a Tax Specialist based at Head Office. The position reports to the Financial Controller.

The successful incumbent will be responsible for all tax matters in the group, both in the form of computations, preparation and submission of direct and indirect tax returns and strategic planning to achieve tax efficiencies and savings

Key performance areas
• Ensure that the company is fully compliant with all tax laws and regulations across all entities of the Group of companies.
• Ensure that the preparation of all tax returns are accurate and submitted timeously
• Be fully conversant with existing tax legislation and proposed changes or new taxes that may affect the company
• Proactively seek opportunities to achieve tax savings and improve profitability without increasing tax risk or compromising the reputation of the company
• Prepare income tax computation and vat cash flow and balance sheet calculations for ABF for : Monthly Period End Reporting, Profit estimates, Budgets (Annually), Strategic plans (Annually)
• Prepare tax calculations to accrue for tax on a monthly basis and at year end.
• Prepare journals for tax payments/refunds.
• Analyse variances between budget/forecasts and actual results and provide commentary thereon.
• Report to Audit Committee and Group Tax on tax issues that may place the company at risk resulting in penalties and interest.
• Provide progress reports to government authorities where required.
• Perform reconciliations of current and deferred tax in general ledger on a monthly basis.
• Calculate current and deferred tax liabilities for all local companies in the group
• Prepare tax pack schedules
• Review tax packs at interim and year end submitted by the operations
• Prepare tax workings for the accrual review by auditors and attend to queries, when required.
• Prepare and submit: Income tax, provisional tax, VAT and Carbon Tax returns to SARS for all South African companies in the group.
• Review and consolidate vat returns submitted by company entities.
• Prepare and submit vat returns for all entities with the Group of companies before or on due date.
• Regularly monitor systems and internal controls impacting on tax-related issues to ensure compliance with tax legislation.
• Conduct compliance reviews on an annual rotational basis for Income tax; VAT; PAYE; Customs & Excise.
• Advise company staff on any tax issues encountered – current and potential.
• Provide/facilitate training in operations to ensure a satisfactory level of knowledge and competence by staff who are responsible for tax-related matters.
• Contribute to assessing and responding to initiatives which may affect the tax profile of the company and/or the industry


Minimum specifications / requirement areas
• A qualified CA (SA) with post-graduate tax qualification or B.Com with post-graduate tax qualification
• 5 years’ experience in accounting and tax experience
• Comprehensive knowledge of South African tax matters including withholding taxes and double tax treaties
• Knowledge and experience of tax accounting and reporting at a consolidated level
• Foster and cultivate business opportunities and partnerships.
• Excellent accounting and reporting skills.
• Detailed process and analytical ability.
• Strong verbal / analytical reasoning ability.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, internal and external.
• Ability to prioritise, manage complexity and deal with multiple stakeholders.
• Key Culture Attributes: Demonstrates the importance of safety, quality & teamwork; effectively leads and communicates because our people matter