Senior Tax Consultant- International Tax at Absa Group Limited (Absa)

Job Summary

To lead the delivery of International Tax advice, management of tax risk and identification of tax opportunities in relation to initiatives or projects within Absa Group Limited, Absa Bank Limited, Absa Regional Offices, as prioritised and allocated by the CIB Head of Tax.

Job Description

Key Accountabilities 

Accountability:  Tax advice and project support

• Develop relationships with key stakeholders in the relevant areas, e.g. project leads, Corporate Development, colleagues in other key infrastructure areas (Finance, Legal, Compliance, etc). Communicate risks and opportunities to those stakeholders
• Deliver advice to the relevant project or business area:
• Reactively (but suitably early in the process) in relation to business initiatives presented for review; and
• Proactively in relation to potential opportunities for tax efficiencies, identifying and mitigating tax risk, and explaining and managing of changes in tax law

Manage tax risk by:

• liaising with the relevant process/control owners to ensure that controls and processes regarding tax are documented, understood and effectively implemented
• interacting with the tax lead for the relevant business area (subject to confidentiality restrictions on certain projects) to ensure all relevant facts are taken into account
• quantifying risks and communicating to management the impact of the risk and recommended mitigating actions. Ensure that plans are in place and funded to mitigate the risks and that this is embedded as a routine process/control
• Record analysis and conclusions clearly, including references to supporting work papers (and their location) and the basis on which assumptions were made. Where appropriate, and in discussion with the CIB Head of Tax, obtain opinions and advice from external specialists to support
• Ensure conclusions of external/internal tax advice are delivered to:
• the Forecasting, Reporting and Compliance team within Tax to enable effective financial reporting of tax effects and correct filings in tax returns and payments are made; and
• the tax lead for the relevant business area (subject to confidentiality restrictions on certain projects) so that they have an overview of all tax matters and can communicate to business management regarding all tax issues within their area
• Liaising with external auditors at an early stage to agree financial statement position in relation to the tax analysis of all material projects and initiatives
• Provide proactive training to key stakeholders and colleagues (within or without Tax) to explain tax opportunities and risks, raise awareness of how Tax can help and when Tax should be engaged, and to forge stronger links

Accountability: People Management

• In certain cases, supervise other team members in the performance of the above objectives
• Where acting as line manager, develop a high performing team by embedding formal performance development and career development plans and coaching
• Motivate team members and ensure that their efforts are recognised
• Encourage and partake in frequent knowledge sharing between team members
• Determine development needs for the team and support team members in addressing these, including ensuring that identified requirements are completed
• Assist with the interviewing and recruitment of new members to the team
• Approve team leave requests and ensure adequate coverage during periods of absence
• Monitor workload and ensure that it is kept to a sustainable level. Report excessive workload to the Head of Tax and create plans to address, including ensuring work amongst the team is evenly balanced
• Participate in the creation and implementation of actions in response to staff surveys or other identified areas of improvement

Role / Person Specification

Education and Experience Required

• B Com Honours Degree or equivalent NQF level 7 qualification
• Three years’ experience within the Financial Services Industry specifically in a financial department
• Five to Ten years International Tax experience
• Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook)

Preferred Requirements

• CA (SA) qualification/ BCOM Accounting

Knowledge & Skills: 

• Analytical and problem solving skills
• Leadership skills
• General and tax accounting knowledge
• Numerical and communication skills

Competencies:  

• Deciding, initiating and concluding action
• Learning and researching
• Entrepreneurial and commercial thinking
• Relating and networking
• Adapting and responding to change
• Persuading and influencing
• Creating and innovating

Education

• Postgraduate Degrees and Professional Qualifications: Taxation (Required)

Closng Date: 30th, April 2022