Tax Management Lead

Job Purpose

• Responsible for adopting and implementing the up-to-date regulations and requirements published by the Saudi Tax Authority “ZATCA” for the University and its Saudi Arabian subsidiaries. This includes Withholding Tax, Value Added Tax, Zakat, Transfer Pricing, Country by Country reporting and all newly applicable regulations. 
• Responsible for handling all ZATCA queries and requests timely and accurately. 
• Managing and completing the ZATCA audit assignments until formal closure. 
• Providing business technical advice on tax-related matters. 

Major Accountabilities

• To ensure proper application of tax regulations to KAUST Group for business transactions. 
• Responsible for the timely and accurate completion of the monthly and annual tax returns for submission to ZATCA. 
• Analyze the tax reports information and validate them for accuracy. 
• Identify errors in recording the transactions and address corrections and the treatment with the appropriate team(s). 
• Ensure all supporting documentation is available. Implicit is the expectation that there is appropriate rigor in the analysis of submission files, and that a clear audit trail of transactions, included within the returns, is maintained.  
• Responsible for responding to ZATCA enquiries and/or audits in a timely manner with accurate information. 
• Contribute to building a positive relationship with ZATCA. 
• Promote awareness of tax regulations both within KAUST and with external stakeholders.    
• Support the external stakeholders of KAUST (vendors and customers) in developing their understanding of tax regulations and requirements in order to ensure compliance throughout the supply chain. 
• Remain current and up to date with ZATCA web site information, circulars, regulations and annual updates. 
• Identify non-value-added processes within the department and lead the improvement of processes. 
• Assist with maintaining accurate reference information for business and knowledge sharing. 
• Perform ad hoc projects as and when they arise.

Competencies

• To have an excellent understanding of the tax regulations applicable to KAUST and its subsidiaries as well as how these should be applied. 
• An understanding of accounting and financial business processes. 
• Excellent analytical skills. 
• Ability to work as part of a team and independently to meet tight deadlines. 
• Ability to manage a team. 
• Ability to ensure business continuity with minimal business interruption in order to meet tight deadlines. 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to effectively communicate business and technical concepts to colleagues at all levels.
• Excellent team leading and motivating skills. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or related major. 
• Certified VAT Specialist awarded from SOCPA. 
• Preferred to, but not required, to have full/partial membership in a recognized professional accountancy body (CPA, ACA, ACMA, CMA, ACCA and/or SOCPA). 

Experience

• A minimum of eight years in VAT & WHT filings is essential. 
• Experience of working with other tax areas such as Zakat, Transfer Pricing & Global Tax Reporting. 
• Experience within a large complex organizational setting.  
• Experience in the use of ERP (preferably SAP) accounting systems.  
• Intermediate to advanced MS Office (Excel, MS Word, PowerPoint) skills.  
• Tenacity to achieve results. 
• Exceptional multi-tasking skills to meet tight deadlines.