Specialist Tax

The role is responsible for ensuring that the Airline and group companies maintain a clean bill of health concerning direct and indirect taxes.

The incumbent will be responsible for the preparation and completion of income tax and VAT returns, customs compliance, liaising with internal and external stakeholders (including SARS), and providing tax advisory services and training in line with the requirements set by management.

The incumbent will also be required to review contracts, conduct research into legislative amendments impacting group companies, and support and advise management accordingly.

Additionally, the role will assist the Manager of Tax in the development of tax policies and procedures, as well as in drafting tax papers / opinions for distribution to internal and external stakeholders.

Principal Accountabilities

1. Provide input into the design of the Department Strategy taking into account specialist expertise, best practice, benchmarking and market standards.
2. Implement department strategy within area of responsibility.
3. Provide input into policies, processes, action plans and systems development initiatives to support implementation of the strategy.
4. Support Tax Lead in the management of budgets in area of responsibility.
5. Optimal utilization of resources in area of responsibility.
6. Optimize technology to enhance internal and external customer expectations.
7. Accurate and timely completion and submission of VAT returns / packs for group companies, and providing support in the preparation and finalization of income tax packs and calculations.
8. Test tax balances from SAP and perform monthly and annual reconciliations of tax accounts for direct and indirect tax.
9. Manually and systematically reconcile the VAT to the sales reports and to expenses on the SAP system.
10. Respond to tax queries from within the business.
11. Assist in completing the IT14SD (supplementary declarations).
12. Recommend and implement controls to streamline the VAT process and reduce the requirement for manual testing of data.
13. Reconcile Customs Import and Export entries to financial statements and manage customs risk and compliance.
14. Draft VAT / Customs opinions / rulings and engage the Tax Lead accordingly.
15. Assist in road mapping the VAT turnover reconciliation for group companies.
16. Interrogate the ERP datasets to identify VAT and Customs risks and opportunities.
17. Review and assist with Africa VAT compliance matters.
18. Draft responses to audit queries by SARS and auditors.
19. Engage in trend analysis to identify future needs, services required, market offerings and available new products regarding tax and engage the Tax Lead accordingly.
20. Drive customer centricity within areas of control.
21. Enforce Governance and Risk Management policies, processes and systems.
22. Deliver on regular and timely reporting of information to key stakeholders.
23. Execute projects and implement project outcomes to contribute to the optimisation of the tax and finance function.

Qualifications & Experience

1. Bachelor's degree in Commerce with Taxation / Finance at NQF level 7.
2. Postgraduate qualification in Tax will be an advantage.
3. At least 3 – 5 years' experience in direct and indirect taxes.
4. Experience in completing and filing returns with SARS as well as dealing with tax disputes.
5. Experience in Customs compliance is essential.

Knowledge and Skills

1. Methodologies and practices with a specific focus on the utilisation of SAP to interrogate accounts for tax purposes.
2. Knowledge and application of Income Tax, VAT and Customs / Excise legislation.
3. Analytical and technical skills.
4. Networking and negotiation skills.
5. Presentation skills.
6. Communication skills (verbal and written).
7. Computer literacy.
8. Self-management skills.
9. Time management.
10. Information processing.

Attributes

1. Engages in crucial conversations.
2. Executes projects and implements project outcomes.
3. Facilitates change and innovation.
4. Implements and aligns to vision.
5. Delivers value.
6. Values team diversity.
7. Role models behaviours and values.