Head of Tax Operations at Absa Group Limited (Absa)

Job Description

Accountability:  Risk Management

• Ensure the Implementation of processes and controls to ensure Tax Reporting to the various tax authorities complies with local legislation.
• Ensure reporting to tax authorities is accurate thereby avoiding reputational risk to AGL.
• Ensure reporting is completed before deadline to avoid penalties being levied on AGL by tax authorities.

Accountability:  Technical

• Responsible for the reporting of tax data for South Africa and ARO, covering IT3’s, DWT, WTI, FTCA and CRS
• Ensure that all Absa entities are reporting in full and accurately on all products that are reportable.
• Ensure all Absa entities report before deadlines.
• In the event of an inaccurate submission assist division(s) with remediation, communication and rectification.
• Minimise Client impact of incorrect submissions and liaise with SARS in this regard.
• Provide expert advice to all Absa entities on what products and services are reportable.
• Compile attestation schedules when required.
• Provide training, support and tax advice to divisions – as required.
• Maintain a good relationship with each division - attend meetings, refer division to appropriate advice team member if / when required.
• Maintain good relationships with SARS and Industry bodies.
• Attend industry and SARS meetings and workshops.
• Provide feedback and advice to SARS and Industry Bodies on practicality and legality of draft new reporting requirements.
• Check for new and upcoming reporting regulations and advise Absa entities of the impact of new reporting requirements.
• Advise IT on functionality required on all tax reporting platforms.
• Ensure all Absa legal entities comply with tax reporting requirements and legislation.
• Where relevant ensure all clients within ARO are remediated and reportable status is accurate and complete.
• Ensure all entities that should be registered with US IRS are complete.
• FATCA Alerts from OEDQ for remediation, distribute alerts to Business Units.
• Validate completed documents like W9 and W8ben-e, Template A.
• Classifying remediated alerts.
• Provide guidance to Business Unit regarding remediation.
• Clarify certain law aspect with relevant in-country responsible persons in conjunction with group tax.
• Responsible for ensuring there is up to date processes maps and documentation in place.
• Finding ways of improving the processes.
• Assisting Business Units complete input schema and provide an independent validation of the schema
• Facilitating attestation process and obtaining necessary sign off.
• Submitting report to the Authorities.
• Fix the file in case it rejects, respond to queries from authorities.
• Manage the submission of declaration to SARS.

Accountability: Management and Leadership

• Direct, manage and drive the performance of the team
• Responsible for leading the team with Line managers to achieve excellent business results through continuous people development and mentoring activities.
• Hands-on approach coupled with proactive leadership skills and the ability to delegate effectively.
• Together with Regional Head of FSSA, determine the people management strategy for the area with a focus on talent management, development, resourcing and retention.
• Ensure the development of a high-performing team through embedding formal Performance Development and informal coaching.
• Coach the management team on how to conduct meaningful Performance Development discussions with their direct reports and ensure that they conduct the process effectively.
• Manage a team to ensure a high level of client service.
• Determine and analyse training and development needs for managers and ensure they do the same for their teams. Ensure that identified training is budgeted for and executed.
• Establish and maintain a succession plan for the management team in the area using the formal Talent Management process for identified talent and an informal process for remaining roles.
• With the support from the HR Business Partner, interview and recruit direct reports and provide support to them during the recruitment of their teams on request.
• Ensure that managers create effective workforce plans and recruitment demand plans for their areas.
• Review requests from managers in the team for headcount changes. Recommend approve or decline of the request to the Regional Head of FSSA.
• Approve leave requests for direct reports and ensure that they manage the leave planning for their teams effectively.
• Act as second level escalation point for all grievances raised in the team.
• Review overall team performance and provide input to consistency check meetings.
• Ensure that all poor performance is addressed through the appropriate process and that continued poor performance is adequately dealt with. Review APA reports to determine effectiveness of interventions.
• Motivate employees in the department and ensure that their efforts are recognised.
• Develop appropriate Colleague Experience Survey (CES) action items together with the management team of the team and ensure that items are executed.
• Associated people management administration

Education and experience required:

• Bachelor of Commerce Degree or related qualification
• Post graduate qualification an added advantage
• Ability to work independently with little or no supervision
• 10 years post qualification experience in Financial Services Industry across Banking and other Financial Services

Knowledge and skills: 

• Good working knowledge of corporate income tax, CGT, STC/dividends tax, VAT, PAYE, STT.
• Understanding of tax audits.
• Understanding of Financial Markets and Derivative instruments.
• Understanding of Double Tax Agreements and their application.
• Understanding of the direct and indirect tax regimes of other jurisdictions would be an advantage.
• Attention to detail.