Introduction
Our client, a leader in their field, is looking for a proactive and energised Senior Tax Specialist to join their team.

The successful candidate will assist with managing the tax function for the Group. The individual with be responsible for providing a wide range of tax advisory services to the business as well as ensuring compliance with operational requirements (including reporting) imposed by both local and foreign tax regulators. An important aspect of the role will be the support of independent financial advisers (IFAs) with a particular focus on cross border tax compliance and planning.

Duties & Responsibilities
Responsibilities include:

• Keeping abreast of relevant tax related regulations and legislative changes or trends within the financial services industry in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Bermuda
• Managing the tax advisory relationships with in-country counsel for ex-SA operations
• Effectively managing relationships with the relevant local and foreign tax authorities
• Answering tax related questions from the business and financial advisors and understanding highly complex tax related problems
• Preparing clear, sound, accurate reports containing findings, conclusions and recommendations to management, legal/compliance and operational areas regarding new legislative and tax reporting requirements
• Tax monitoring/audit of the business-related tax processes
• Performing a review of the control environment to ensure that sufficient and effective controls are in place to detect discrepancies and deviations from agreed processes and legislative requirements
• Reviewing operational reports to identify potential areas of concern/ gaps/ trends where tax monitoring/ additional controls may be required
• Providing input to the industry on behalf of the company (i.e. regulatory papers / industry bodies)
• Continuously advising and providing training to internal stakeholders to ensure optimal awareness and competence with regards to new and existing tax legislation
• Liaising with Clients/Financial Advisors and Operations teams regarding queries and topical tax issues
• Interacting with internal stakeholders, industry bodies and authorities to ensure that IFAs interests are adequately addressed in engagement processes.
• Supporting IFAs to understand and navigate topical legal and tax matters with an important bearing on their businesses and advice processes. The individual must be adept at presenting, drafting articles and case studies, and facilitating round-table discussions.

Desired Experience & Qualification
Requirements:

• B.Com with HDip Tax Law or Master in Tax
• Tax practitioner designation (TA(SA)) would be advantageous
• Post Graduate Diplomas specialising in Certified Financial Planning (CFP), and/or Estate Planning would be advantageous
• Technical tax advisory experience

• Knowledge of legislative requirements and tax laws specific to unit trust/LISP, long-term insurance and retirement fund business
• Knowledge of local and international tax reporting requirements e.g. FATCA/CRS, DWT, IWT and IT3
• Experience working with financial advisers and components of the financial planning process would be preferable