Tax Department Manager

SUMMARY:
Our client, a finance company based in Gqeberha, is looking for a Tax Department Manager to oversee tax operations, lead the team, and ensure compliance with regulatory and statutory requirements.

POSITION INFO:
Key Responsibilities

1. Technical Tax Leadership

• Provide expert technical oversight across all major tax types, including:
• Income Tax (Individuals, Companies, Trusts)
• Provisional Tax
• VAT
• PAYE and related payroll taxes
• Dividends Tax and Withholding Taxes
• Review and sign off on complex tax computations, returns, and submissions.
• Interpret and apply current tax legislation, case law, and SARS practice notes.
• Provide guidance on complex tax structures, transactions, and compliance matters.
• Ensure tax advice and submissions are technically sound, defensible, and well‑documented.

1. SARS Engagement & Dispute Resolution

• Manage and oversee all complex SARS interactions, including:
• Audits and verifications
• Requests for Information (RFIs)
• Requests for Reasons (RFRs)
• Objections and appeals
• Voluntary Disclosure Programme (VDP) matters
• Draft, review, and approve detailed technical responses to SARS.
• Act as the escalation point for high‑risk or contentious SARS matters.
• Ensure all deadlines are monitored and met, and risks are proactively managed.

1. People & Team Management

• Lead, manage, and develop the tax team, including:
• Tax administrators, consultants, and senior tax staff
• Allocate work appropriately based on complexity, capacity, and competence.
• Conduct performance management, coaching, mentoring, and skills development.
• Identify training needs and ensure ongoing technical and professional development.
• Foster a high‑performance, accountable, and collaborative team culture.

1. Client Service & Advisory

• Act as a senior tax contact for key clients.
• Communicate complex tax matters clearly and practically to clients.
• Support client retention and growth through high‑quality service and trusted advice.
• Identify opportunities for tax planning, advisory, and additional services.
• Ensure a consistent, professional client experience across the tax department.

1. Operational & Quality Management

• Ensure tax work is delivered:
• Accurately
• Timeously
• In line with internal SOPs and professional standards
• Monitor departmental workflows, deadlines, and capacity.
• Maintain and improve tax processes, templates, and checklists.
• Ensure proper documentation and audit trails for all tax matters.
• Contribute to departmental budgeting, productivity, and profitability.

1. Compliance & Professional Standards

• Ensure compliance with:
• SARS requirements
• Professional body standards
• Internal policies and procedures
• Stay up to date with legislative changes and ensure timely implementation.
• Ensure CPD requirements are met (self and team, where applicable).

• Relevant Tax Degree / Postgraduate Tax Qualification
• Minimum 5–8 years relevant tax experience, with exposure to complex tax matters
• Proven experience managing and leading a team
• Strong experience dealing directly with SARS audits, disputes, and technical queries
• Excellent, up‑to‑date knowledge of South African tax legislation

• Professional registration (e.g. SAIT, SAICA, SAIPA)
• Experience in a professional services / advisory firm environment
• Exposure to tax planning and structuring

• Strong technical tax competence
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills
• High attention to detail and quality
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage complexity and competing deadlines
• Leadership, coaching, and people‑management capability
• Professional judgment and ethical decision‑making
• Client‑focused mindset

• SARS outcomes and dispute resolution success
• Timeliness of submissions and responses
• Team productivity, capability, and engagement
• Client satisfaction and retention