Lead Specialist, Tax Reporting & Compliance
About the Role
We are looking for a hands-on, proactive, and autonomous tax professional to join our global tax function. Reporting to the Senior Manager, Tax & Transfer Pricing, Finance, this role is pivotal within a fast-growing multinational operating in 20+ countries, providing technical expertise and ownership of global tax reporting and compliance processes. You will independently manage and enhance global tax processes, coordinate external advisors, and act as a trusted partner to finance and business teams worldwide. This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated professional who wants to combine strong technical skills with meaningful impact in a mission-driven organization.
Functions
- Global Tax Accounting & Reporting (IFRS) Manage the quarterly and year-end IFRS tax provision, consolidating global data, calculating the provision, and identifying opportunities for process improvement.
- Analyze and report on the Group’s effective tax rate (ETR) and prepare tax-related financial statement disclosures.
- Maintain and monitor uncertain tax positions and related documentation. Global Compliance Management Manage the global tax compliance calendar (Corporate Income Tax, VAT, GST, etc.), ensuring timely and accurate submissions across all jurisdictions. Coordinate with local finance teams and external advisors, critically reviewing filings and returns for consistency and quality.
- Tax Forecasting Lead the quarterly global tax cash flow forecast, consolidating inputs from local entities and ensuring alignment with Group reporting.
- Tax Advisory & Business Partnering Act as the primary contact for corporate tax inquiries, collaborating with Finance, Legal, and Commercial teams.
- Advise on withholding tax implications, cross-border transactions, and permanent establishment risks, researching relevant tax laws and treaties. Support business initiatives with practical and commercially oriented tax advice.
- Tax Projects & Process Improvement Identify and lead process improvements, automation, and control enhancements within tax reporting and compliance.
- Prepare and maintain technical documentation for internal tax positions, coordinating with external advisors as needed. Support the Senior Manger, Tax & Transfer Pricing, Finance on strategic and special projects, including implementation and follow-up.
- Audit Support Assist in managing tax authority inquiries and audits, ensuring clear communication and timely resolution. About You Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
Requirements
- A professional qualification (CTA, CPA, Dottore Commercialista, or equivalent) is strongly preferred.
- 5–7 years of progressive tax experience, ideally gained in a Big Four firm or within a multinational organization.
- Solid technical knowledge of IFRS tax accounting, Corporate Income Tax (CIT), VAT, and withholding taxes.
- Proven experience managing multi-jurisdictional tax compliance processes, preferably with a strong focus on European tax regimes.
- Advanced Excel proficiency (complex formulas, pivot tables, and large datasets) and the ability to drive process improvements and automation.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and manage complex, end-to-end processes with minimal supervision.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a collaborative, positive, and solution-oriented mindset.
- Familiarity with UK, US, or Netherlands tax systems.
- Flexible working style, comfortable operating across multiple time zones (Europe, the Americas, APAC) and managing virtual collaboration. This flexibility must include the ability to align with morning working hours in the Americas for key team meetings.
- Proven ability to perform under pressure in a fast-paced, dynamic, international environment.
- Fluent in English (C1 level or higher) — all work is conducted in English.
- Preferred Qualifications Experience with Swiss tax matters is a strong advantage.
- Experience in the carbon credit market or environmental advisory industry is a plus.
- Prior exposure to transfer pricing concepts or willingness to support TP processes and documentation. Additional languages (German, French, or Spanish) are an asset.
- Department
- Corporate Services
- Locations
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Remote status
- Hybrid
Cape Town
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Work-life balance
From flexible working hours to flexible workplace (home office), with above-average vacation allowances, we strive to make the work and family life puzzle an easy one for our employees.
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Flexible Vacation Benefits
Options to buy up to 5 extra days of time off.
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Life Insurance
Available to all employees across the world.
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Care for your Wellbeing
Access to mental, physical and financial wellbeing support through our Employee Assistance Program (TELUS Health).
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Parental leave
Should any of our employees need to take time off the Iceberg as a result of a new addition to their household, we are happy to be able to offer competitive Paid Parental leave to support them during this time.
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Compassionate Leave
Sometimes life is unpredictable, and when unfortunate events occur, we want to give you peace of mind so you feel fully supported during this time.
What makes us unique
At South Pole, we are first and foremost a purpose-driven Company. People join us because they believe in our mission and want to be part of a community that fights together for our shared values and beliefs. But that is not the only reason why working at South Pole is such a rewarding experience.
- We know that our vision to help create a greener world is both bold and challenging. To achieve it, we settle for nothing less than the absolute best. We form a Community that is stronger than the sum of its parts.
- Entrepreneurial at heart. It’s not just our founders who are entrepreneurs. We actively promote an innovative mindset at all levels of the organisation, where each and every employee is encouraged to challenge the status quo and empowered to make decisions.
- Growing employees in a growing company. With a team of smart, passionate and engaged colleagues, as well as increasing demand from our clients, opportunities to learn, develop our skills and grow our careers are endless.
- All for one, and one for all! Above all other things, what truly drives our dedication and commitment to our purpose is our colleagues. We learn from each other and grow together. Because that is who Penguins are.
About South Pole
Our story began in Zurich, with 5 friends* in 2002. They had a belief and a vision to shape and change the future of the world through climate empowerment, education and projects with their non-profit organisation; MyClimate. These ‘social entrepreneurs’ went on to pioneer climate change with the introduction of South Pole in 2006*. More than 20 years on, with the support of some of the most passionate and talented entrepreneurs around them, who are empowered to all play their part and with their founding belief in aligning purpose with passion, people and profit, they have created South Pole, an organisation that has gone onto positively impact the lives of over 20 million people across the world through its projects, saving over 20,000 km2 of forests from deforestation.
*Patrick Bürgi, Thomas Camerata, Renat Heuberger, Ingo Puhl, and Christoph Sutter
*2006 Joined by Marco Hirsbrunner and Christoph Grobel
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