Group Specialist: Tax Audit and Risk Specialist (Gauteng) at Aspen Pharma Group

Description
Job Purpose:

• As the Tax Audit and Risk Specialist, the ideal candidate must have deep expertise in tax controversy in a multinational organisation or tax consulting firm. The candidate must also have a proven track record of successfully managing complex tax audits, resolving tax disputes across multiple jurisdictions, and ensuring compliance with diverse tax regulations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage complex tax audits across various jurisdictions.
• Serve as the primary point of contact with tax authorities, auditors, and external advisors during audits.
• Analyze audit findings, prepare robust responses, and provide documentation to support the organization’s tax positions.
• Develop and implement strategies to minimize audit risks and liabilities while safeguarding the organization’s reputation.
• Identify and assess potential tax risks associated with the organization’s operations, transactions, and business strategies.
• Design and implement tax risk management frameworks to ensure proactive monitoring and mitigation of risks.
• Stay updated on global tax trends, regulatory changes, and their potential impact on the organization.
• Lead dispute resolution processes with tax authorities to achieve favorable outcomes for the organization.
• Develop and present compelling arguments supported by in-depth research and analysis to defend the company’s tax positions.
• Work closely with legal and external advisors to ensure effective representation during appeals, negotiations, or litigation.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal teams, external consultants, and tax authorities.
• Provide training and awareness to internal stakeholders on tax risk management and compliance.

Requirements
Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

• Honours in tax or equivalent degree.
• A master’s degree in tax is preferred
• Experience: A minimum of 10 years in tax, in international tax consulting within a Big Four firm, multinational organization, or similar environment, with a focus on tax audits, risk management, and dispute resolution. Proven expertise in managing complex tax audits and achieving positive outcomes in dispute resolutions across multiple tax types (e.g., corporate income tax, transfer pricing, VAT/GST, withholding tax) and jurisdictions.

Skills:

• In-depth knowledge of international tax laws, treaties, and transfer pricing regulations. Experience with OECD guidelines and global tax trends is essential. Proficiency in tax research tools, ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle), and data analytics platforms. Ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and work effectively under pressure.

Desired Competencies:

• Strong negotiation, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation abilities, with the capacity to convey complex tax concepts to non-tax professionals.