Tax Analyst

Roles and responsibilities

Tax Analyst will be an integral part of the Retail Tax department in assisting Head of Tax - Retail on day-to-day compliance and advisory (basic) issues relating to VAT and other prevailing taxes across GCC. Predominantly safeguarding the high standard of tax compliance by ensuring tax policies and processes are adhered to in accordance local tax laws, tax returns are submitted on time and compliance standards maintained.

Essential Roles and Responsibilities

Strategic Roles and Responsibilities:

Assist Retail Tax Department in ensuring an efficient and effective Tax process flow in the organization.

Functional Roles and Responsibilities

• Assist in preparation, completion and submission of VAT/Tax (and equivalent) and withholding tax returns for the review within the filing deadlines and in compliance with the local tax law.
• Assist variance analysis of the VAT/Tax returns on a monthly basis – keeping up to date reports.
• Payments and submissions – keeping records of all the returns submitted and paid.
• Assist Head of Tax - Retail in coordination with BU Finance teams to manage efficient tax processes ensuring compliance with local laws and accounting standards; (review of VAT/Tax assessments, VAT/Tax payments, VAT/Tax refunds, audits, etc).
• Follow up erroneous account receivable / payable entries interact with Business/ FSS/ Accountants and other internal stakeholders to ensure these are in compliance with prevailing laws.
• Keep up to date with new laws/ guidance and updates released by FTA; determining the impact on compliance processes and relevant changes.
• Support Head of Tax – Retail in development & implementation of any new VAT/Tax principles released by the FTA.
• Providing input from a compliance perspective into the development of company policies.
• Support Head of Tax – Retail in managing tax audits and assist in the coordination of appeals/ reconsideration requests ensuring all data is compiled to support tax positions taken.
• Optimize tax efficiencies in all end to end processes.
• Liaise with IT teams (and other relevant stakeholders) to resolve process / compliance/ reporting issues.
• Cooperate with other functions and provide support by answering VAT/Tax related queries.

Desired candidate profile

• Support Head of Tax – Retail in development & implementation of any new VAT/Tax principles released by the FTA.
• Providing input from a compliance perspective into the development of company policies.
• Support Head of Tax – Retail in managing tax audits and assist in the coordination of appeals/ reconsideration requests ensuring all data is compiled to support tax positions taken.
• Optimize tax efficiencies in all end to end processes.
• Liaise with IT teams (and other relevant stakeholders) to resolve process / compliance/ reporting issues.
• Cooperate with other functions and provide support by answering VAT/Tax related queries.

Job Requirements

Education/Certification and Continued Education

Degree level – essential.

Accounting skills – fully qualified; CA, ACCA, CIMA, CFA, etc.

Years of Experience

• 3 years’ experience in Accounting plus 3 years in VAT/Tax function ideally within Middle East.
• Knowledge of GCC tax regulations is an advantage.
• Data analytics experience (working with large data).
• SAP experience is a plus.