Senior Tax Advisor

Absa is seeking a seasoned Senior Tax Advisor to join their dynamic team in Sandton. This role is crucial in steering the strategic tax direction for a variety of significant initiatives and projects across the Absa Group. If you have a robust background in international tax and a proven ability to manage tax risks and identify opportunities, this could be your next career move within a leading African financial institution.

About the Role

This position will see you acting as a key advisor, particularly for international tax matters that arise from new projects and strategic business developments. You'll be instrumental in managing tax risks, uncovering potential tax efficiencies, and ensuring Absa remains compliant with evolving tax legislation. A significant part of your contribution will involve developing strong working relationships with various stakeholders, including project leads, corporate development teams, finance, legal, and compliance professionals. Your insights will be vital in shaping tax strategies that support the group's overarching objectives.

Your responsibilities will span several critical areas, requiring both reactive and proactive engagement.

• **Tax Advice and Project Support:**
• Engage with project leaders and other key business units to provide timely and insightful tax advice.
• Proactively identify tax efficiencies and potential risks within proposed projects, offering clear explanations and mitigation strategies.
• Stay abreast of legislative changes that may impact the group and communicate these to relevant parties.
• Develop a thorough understanding of business initiatives to effectively advise on their tax implications.

• **Tax Risk Management:**
• Collaborate with process and control owners to ensure robust tax-related controls are in place, understood, and effectively implemented.
• Quantify identified tax risks and communicate their potential impact to management, recommending appropriate mitigating actions.
• Ensure that plans for risk mitigation are established, funded, and integrated into standard operational processes.
• Maintain clear and comprehensive records of analyses, conclusions, and supporting documentation, including external specialist opinions where necessary.

• **Collaboration and Communication:**
• Liaise with the Forecasting, Reporting, and Compliance teams within the tax department to ensure accurate financial reporting and timely tax filings.
• Engage with business area tax leads to provide an overview of tax matters and facilitate communication with business management.
• Work closely with external auditors to align on the tax treatment of material projects and initiatives.
• Conduct training sessions for stakeholders and colleagues to enhance awareness of tax opportunities, risks, and the value of early engagement with the tax function.

• **Pillar Two Compliance:**
• Assist in the preparation and review of Global Anti-Base Erosion (GloBE) calculations.
• Manage disclosures related to Pillar Two, including those under IAS 12.
• Monitor international tax developments and assess their impact on Absa's operations.

In certain instances, you may also be expected to supervise and mentor other team members, fostering a collaborative and knowledge-sharing environment within the tax department. This includes identifying development needs and supporting team members in their professional growth.

What They're Looking For

To excel in this role, you will need a relevant tertiary qualification, ideally a BCom Honours degree or an equivalent NQF Level 7 qualification. A strong foundation in Financial Sciences is essential. You should possess between five to ten years of dedicated experience in international tax. Previous experience within the Financial Services Industry, particularly within a finance department, is highly advantageous.

Candidates should demonstrate excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, coupled with strong leadership capabilities. A solid understanding of general and tax accounting principles is required, alongside proficient numerical and communication skills. The ability to apply concepts such as Deciding and Initiating Action, Learning and Researching, Entrepreneurial and Commercial Thinking, Relating and Networking, Adapting and Responding to Change, Persuading and Influencing, and Creating and Innovating will be highly valued. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) is a prerequisite. A CA(SA) qualification or BCom Accounting would be considered preferred requirements.

Absa is committed to diversity and inclusion, and as an equal opportunity employer, will give preference to candidates from designated groups to contribute to achieving equitable demographic representation within the organisation.

In South Africa, a Senior Tax Advisor role within a large financial institution like Absa typically demands extensive expertise. While specific remuneration can vary, such positions often command competitive salaries, reflecting the critical nature of the role in managing complex tax landscapes and significant financial risks for the organisation. Career progression could lead to Head of Tax roles or specialised advisory positions within international tax or specific business units.

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: (Maximum of 6)

• Analytical and problem solving skills

• Leadership skills

• General and tax accounting knowledge

• Numerical and communication skills

Competencies:  (Maximum of 8 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: Financial Sciences (Required)

Absa Bank Limited is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. In compliance with the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998, preference will be given to suitable candidates from designated groups whose appointments will contribute towards achievement of equitable demographic representation of our workforce profile and add to the diversity of the Bank.

Absa Bank Limited reserves the right not to make an appointment to the post as advertised