UAE VAT Specialist
- Full-time
Job Description
We are currently looking for UAE VAT Specialist for our UAE operations.
Qualifications & Experience
- Professional qualification: CA, CPA, ACCA, ADIT or equivalent (mandatory).
- 5–7 years of relevant experience in tax.
- Experience with Big 4 / UAE Financial Services / Banking sector preferable.
- Strong working knowledge of UAE VAT and Corporate Tax laws, particularly as applicable to financial institutions.
Skills & Competencies
- Strong technical knowledge of UAE tax laws and financial services VAT treatment.
- Good understanding of financial systems and accounting principles.
- Effective stakeholder engagement across multiple functions.
- High attention to detail with strong documentation discipline.
- Excellent English language written and verbal communication.
- Highly competent in MS Excel, and other MS Office Applications
Key Attributes
- Strong sense of ownership, integrity and accountability
- Proactive and solution-oriented mindset
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
- Resilient under pressure with the ability to manage competing priorities
Key Responsibilities
1. UAE Tax Compliance & Filings
- Assist in preparation, and submission of VAT returns and Corporate Tax filings in compliance with UAE tax laws.
- Ensure adherence to requirements set by the Federal Tax Authority (UAE VAT Law, its Executive Regulations and Corporate Tax Law and its Executive Regulations), including documentation, record-keeping, and audit readiness.
- Monitor changes in UAE tax regulations and assess their impact on the Bank.
- Ensure accuracy, completeness, process ownership (returns, reconciliations, documentation) and timely submission of all tax filings.
- Maintain supporting documentation and audit trails for all tax positions.
2. Operational Tax Support
- Support day-to-day tax operations, including review of transactions, reconciliations, GL entries, tax returns and product structures from a tax perspective.
- Review accounting entries and transactions from a tax perspective.
- Develop, monitor and enhance functional procedures, process and position papers to improve efficiency, compliance and governance.
3. Business Partnering & Advisory
- Provide tax support on new banking products, digital initiatives, and structured transactions.
- Work closely with business and finance teams to embed tax controls in processes.
- Support embedding tax responsibilities within first-line functions to avoid centralization risk.
4. Tax Risk Management & Controls
- Identify, assess, and mitigate tax risks, particularly those arising from process gaps or unclear ownership across departments.
- Strengthen internal controls and ensure alignment with tax governance frameworks.
- Support internal audit, external audit, including responding to tax authority queries.
5. Tax Audits & Authority Engagement
- Support management of tax audits, inquiries, and reviews by the Federal Tax Authority.
- Coordinate responses, documentation, and follow-ups with external advisors where required.
6. Process Improvement & Automation
- Enhance tax processes, controls, and documentation to reduce manual dependency and operational risk.
- Support tax-related system enhancements, including tax reporting and automation tools.
Joining time frame: 2 weeks (maximum 1 month)