Statutory and Tax Lead at Syngenta

ROLE PURPOSE

• To secure a solid bedrock for finance activities in the Country Finance Team.
• Deliver high quality set of accounting data to facilitate group, statutory and tax reporting
• Ensure compliance with Companies Act
• Represent Syngenta towards external auditors, and service providers.
• Ensure integrity of the countries compliance program with corporate and local policies and procedures
• Continuously monitor emerging internal control risks and update existing controls and processes to respond to these risks
• Detect and report to appropriate Syngenta management any violation or deviation from standards and practices including the code of conduct, laws and other misconduct

ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Manage Finance processes in South Africa and ensure all these processes / activities follow local & group compliance standards.
• Ensure timely and accurate recording of all business transactions in ERP system according to the IFRS accounting rules used for Group, Statutory and Tax reporting. Participate in "lock meetings" (operational review meeting between 3rd party provider, European Finance Operation Team, Country Finance Lead) to facilitate correctness of data in ERP system.
• Prepare statutory, tax reports, returns in accordance with local GAAP, Tax regulations and Group standards.
• Supervise that data and output provided by the outsource partner are reliable and meeting defined performance indicators.
• Make sure that all financial & defined management reporting to fulfill reporting requirements, including legal, VAT, social insurances, statistical information.
• Prepare relevant journal entries in local entity books
• Understand the end to end processes (eg Accounting to Reporting, Procure to Pay etc) and key internal controls for these processes and ensure that the processes operate effectively.
• Ensure Group Transfer Pricing framework is implemented and followed, country specific regulations regarding Transfer Prices are understood and effects agreed with Group Tax team.
• Ensure high quality data provided for tax reporting and deadlines are kept.
• Manage internal and external tax audits, make sure proper preparations for inspections.
• Make sure that Statutory / Tax financial statement is prepared in high quality and in line with local regulation and deadlines.
• Build relationships with clients to provide excellent planning, consulting and expertise
• Manage innovative tax planning programs
• Identify all tax risks and implement process to manage tax and compliance risks
• Manage tax provision and tax compliance process
• Suggest innovative solutions for process improvement using best practices
• Manage and coordinate tax audits
• Ensure all company records are up to date in accordance with Companies Act, and facilitate Directors minutes
• Manage timely feedback according to Syngenta standard on finance personnel, 3rd party provider and European Finance Operation Team.

Critical success factors & key challenges

• Create effective and reliable Finance statutory and tax service facilitated by number of different service providers including considerable volume of services provided by 3rd party providers
• Meet all group reporting requirements & deliver data on time and in full to meet tax & statutory reporting time tables
• No significant SOX or internal/external/tax audit issues
• Strong communication and relation with local management and other stakeholders
• Deliver reliable local compliance services
• Meet all compliance requirements & deliver data on time and in full to meet group SOX reporting process

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE AND CAPABILITIES
Critical knowledge / capabilities

• Good understanding of local Generally Accepted Accounting Policies
• Good Understanding of International Financial Reporting Standards
• Good Understanding of Companies Act
• Good understanding of business end to end processes and internal controls
• Good knowledge on tax rules
• Good understanding of a how the business operates (eg Seeds, CP, R&D, manufacturing, pension fund rules, HR policies)
• Good working knowledge of IFRS (and local Generally Accepted Accounting Policies)
• Knowledge of relevant Syngenta policies and procedures (eg Reporting, capital process, Group Treasury policies, transfer pricing manual etc).
• Good understanding of internal control framework & SOX 404
• Strong communication and relation with key stakeholders
• Ability to think globally but to work effectively on local level by considering different cultures and ways of working
• Promote continuous improvement mind-set and service mind-set within the team

Critical Experience

• 6 to 8 years working experience in Finance, Tax, Audit or Compliance
• Evidence of independency in work, ability to set objectives, deadlines and meet these.
• Experience in working with multiply teams, 3rd party providers.
• Process management and compliance knowledge within a complex, matrix organization and across different functions.
• Project management experience
• Experience with ERP / SAP in decentralised environment desired
• Good understanding of practical issues and trade-offs faced at country level, while still be able to communicate need to adhere to global standards and principles

Critical technical, professional and personal capabilities

• Credible with local senior management and comfortable with providing constructive guidelines and alternate points of view.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• The ability to maintain independence, autonomy and confidentiality
• Ability to work in virtual, multinational and cross functional teams
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced, high pressure environment
• Strong accounting, analytical, and research skills
• Strong planning and execution skills

Critical leadership capabilities

• Can demonstrate examples of clear achievement against performance goals
• Ensures plans with resources, milestones, measures
• Builds up quickly and maintains networks with relevant customers and stakeholders
• Displays positive attitude to change and progress
• Follows up and checks progress – confronts performance progress directly
• Gives and seeks feedback systematically and constructively plans, organises and monitors performance to meet objectives
• Communicates and influences to get commitment in compelling way

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Minimum Qualification: Charted Accountant or Masters in Tax

Please be aware this is an 18 months contract. It is not a permanent