Senior Manager - Direct Tax and Risk Management Finance at MTN

Job Description

• To independently handle all direct tax compliance for MTN SA in addition to providing key inputs to the Head of Tax with respect to tax related issues. To legally minimise tax liabilities through informed application of tax laws and regulations.

Responsibilities

Strategy Implementation

• Keep abreast of global and local best practice as it relates to tax laws
• Contribute towards the formulation of the direct tax strategy and ensure alignment and adherence to Group tax guidelines and principles
• Drive efficiency and cash generation to optimise tax burden in line with the tax risk strategy.

Tax Planning and Tax Controversy 

• Identify and explore tax opportunities deriving from changes in tax laws or business opportunities
• Optimise tax planning for MTN SA within the legislative framework
• Implement and drive tax planning by negotiating with external and internal stakeholders
• Address and resolve tax related queries from SARS relating to direct tax
• Conduct reviews of contracts for direct tax impacts and advise business units on best way to structure contracts to minimise risks for MTN SA and maximise tax efficiency
• Ensure that all MTN SA makes use of all available tax incentives
• Actively participate on National Treasury discussions with the aim of lobbying for legislative changes favourable to MTN SA

Direct Tax Compliance

• Prepare tax returns and provisional tax computations for MTN SA group of companies 
• Monitor processes to identify risk areas that may lead to penalties
• Pro-actively identify and highlight potential tax risk areas and provide recommendations to resolve
• Review the integrity of the data submitted to  SARS.
• Oversee the compilation of MTN documentation to ensure that MTN SA is in compliance with statutory requirements 
• Identify key taxation related non-compliances and report to management on a timely basisTrack, monitor and follow up on tax compliance

Transfer Pricing and Tax Risk Management

• Proactively engage with business to identify new transactions with Transfer Pricing risk
• Monitor and report on tax risks and disclosures to stakeholders, including MTN Group Tax
• Ensure that all transactions with offshore connected parties are benchmarked timeously in compliance with Section 31 of the Income Tax Act and OECD guidelines
• Identify, monitor and report on direct tax risks with MTN SA group of companies
• Ensure that MTN SA’s tax strategy on direct tax is aligned with MTN Group strategy
• Continuously update MTN SA tax policy and tax procedures for new business processes
• Provide internal tax advisory services and support on business operations matters to business unit leaders

Stakeholder Relationship

• Develop and maintain an effective working relationship with the SARS, relevant members of the business and functional teams, other members of the tax team and external service providers
• Work with external service providers in relation to any of the above, as and when necessary
• Maintain a good working relationship with clients to enhance customer satisfaction and work with client management and staff at all levels to perform tax services

Adhoc, operational and tactical meeting

• Set up / contribute in adhoc and operational meetings 
• Participate and provide input into tactical meetings
• Report at process and functional level

Escalations

• Manage and resolve complex escalations that have impact on critical path of service delivery
• Escalate issues that will result in significant time, scope, employee / customer or cost impacts if not resolved
• Manage and provide solutions to issues that require formal resolution

Performance

• Review performance against agreed KPIs and compliance to SLAs
• Create and monitor plan for continuous improvement
• Review performance of teams

Reporting

• Monitor and report on tax status compared to tax planning
• Prepare and Consolidate tax reports for the Audit Committee of the various South African Operating Companies
• Prepare monthly tax calculations and periodical tax calculations for forecast and budget processes.
• Ensure usage of the automated tax process using TRCS and other relevant systems for reporting purposes as directed by Group Tax.
• Compute complicated deferred tax computations
• Prepare Effective Tax Rate reconciliations periodically 

Qualifications

Education:

• BCom Honours degree with a Higher Diploma in Tax or equivalent
• CA (SA) advantageous.  Articles at a top 5 audit firm will be an advantage.

Experience:

• 7+ years tax experience 
• 5+ years in tax strategy implementation, planning support, and project management
• Senior management track record of 5 years or more; with at least 3 years in relevant sector/
• Previous experience working within a Tax Department in a corporate environment is an l added advantage
• Worked across diverse cultures and geographies advantageous
• Experience working in a medium to large organization
• Experience working in a global/multinational enterprise (understanding emerging markets advantageous) 
• Familiarity with Tax Compliance & Reporting tools