Tax Resolution Specialist (Collective Investments) - Tygervalley at Sanlam Group

Purpose of the role?

• We are seeking a Tax Resolution Specialist to join our team. The successful candidate will be responsible for assisting with day-to-day tax reporting and analysis related to tax matters and improving processes and the clients experience This role includes managing SARS audit requirements, annual and bi-annual tax submission projects, and acting as a subject matter expert on tax matters such as capital gains tax, withholding taxes, and third-party data reporting to tax authorities . The Tax Resolution Specialist will also be responsible for resolving intricate tax/income queries and complaints from clients, recommending solutions to business stakeholders to resolve tax issues, and consulting and engaging with relevant individuals during the analysis and clean-up process to gain sufficient information pertaining to tax issues.

Key responsibilities

• Meeting all tax regulatory reporting deadlines included in the annual SCI TAX Project Plan
• Assisting in the redesign and implementation of improved operational processes pertaining to tax and SARS reporting
• Being the subject matter expert on matters pertaining to the impact of distributions, providing guidance and feedback on distribution queries to different pricing houses on behalf of SCI Fund Operations
• Being the SME for IT3, DWT, and WHT tax reporting to SARS, special rules for non-vanilla tax reporting, and performing the review and sign-off on the annual and bi-annual IT3 submission files as well as interacting and handling any queries with the various service providers
• Being the SME for SARS' Automatic Exchange of Information (FATCA and CRS reporting) as well as C23 reporting
• Being the SME on Namibian and Botswana withholding taxes (insofar as it is applicable to Namibian and Botswana funds administered by SCI)
• Recommending solutions to business stakeholders to resolve tax issues.
• Identifying and making suggestions to address the root cause of poor data quality and logging system requirement suggestions.
• Resolving the root cause of incidents and audit findings pertaining to tax actions as per process timelines
• Assisting in driving the implementation of enhanced controls for internal control failures (as identified through incident reports, backdate reports, and client complaints) within 30 days after control failure was initially identified.
• Ensuring that all actions for tax matters are documented and loaded on the relevant system and reviewed annually.
• Assisting in improving data integrity impacting tax matters - both from the back end and front-end by providing mitigation actions/suggestions to business
• Consulting and engaging with relevant individuals during the analysis and clean-up process to gain sufficient information pertaining to tax issues.
• Maintaining the TAX Project Plan accordingly
• Giving regular feedback to the Finance Manager regarding targets, statistics, and all tasks
• Ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements
• Managing tax matters pertaining to all changes to existing/new legislative requirements
• Assisting with identifying, unpacking, and engaging with various stakeholders in SCI of TAX data integrity to ensure the business readiness of regulatory changes.
• Assisting team members with training and guidance regarding tax matters to perform their daily tasks.
• Providing input into and participating in Group forums and SCI forums and feedback to the team accordingly
• Performing Onboarding data clean-ups regarding tax or as requested
• Identifying tax training gaps in BAU and engaging with Service Centre team leaders in this regard
• Assisting with providing source information for training material, reviewing training programs and training material timeously
• Providing monthly and quarterly regulatory reports as required by the Finance Manager, COO, and SCI EXCO
• Assisting the Finance Manager, COO with ad hoc analysis and investigations needed pertaining to data and tax.
• Participating in discussions about tax data, quality requirements changes and proposing required changes to systems, reports, and processes.
• Ensuring all tasks are completed timeously and escalating to the Finance  Manager as required.

Key responsibilities cont.
Minimum requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Commerce or a related field
• At least 3 to 5 years of experience in the Financial Services industry, with a minimum of 3 years in the CIS environment and experience in Tax and/or CIS Regulatory reporting (non – negotiable) 
• Strong technical competencies
• Ability to comprehend and analyse complex financial and regulatory information
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Proficient in using Microsoft Office applications
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.

Behavioral competencies

• Strong  relationship capabilities 
• Accuracy and attention to detail
• Ability to collaborate and work collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives 
• Ability to deal with complexity
• A Self starter
• Ability to function as part of a team
• Ability to handle a diverse range of tasks simultaneously
• Ability to perform well under pressure, prioritise and meet deadlines
• Ability to prioritise and function positively under pressure
• Accept accountability and take responsibility for tasks done
• Action oriented
• Adherence to all governance, legislative and regulatory requirements
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Good planning, problem solving and analytical abilities
• Self-Control
• Stress tolerance
• Team player and client centric