Tax Manager

We are seeking a detail-oriented and strategic Tax Manager to lead our tax planning, compliance, and reporting functions. This role is ideal for a proactive professional who thrives in a dynamic environment and is passionate about delivering accurate, timely, and value-driven tax solutions.

Job Purpose

The Tax Manager will report to the Finance Manager for Accounting and Control within the Corporate Finance team and will execute. They will have a minimum of five years’ corporate finance / Tax experience, ideally in the UAE, and be a tax expert in VAT, with exposure to Corporate Tax regimes.

Key Accountabilities:

1. Corporate Tax Compliance & Reporting

• Ensure accurate and timely filing of corporate tax returns in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Oversee corporate tax provisioning and deferred tax calculations during monthly and annual book closings.
• Monitor and ensure compliance with the UAE Corporate Tax regime and global BEPS regulations, including OECD Pillar Two.

2. VAT Compliance

• Manage end-to-end VAT compliance, including the preparation and submission of VAT returns, reconciliation of VAT ledgers, input VAT apportionment, and refund applications.
• Liaise with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) for audits, clarifications, and dispute resolution matters.
• Monitor changes in VAT legislation, ensuring timely updates such as VAT registrations, de-registrations, and FTA portal management.

3. Transfer Pricing

• Prepare and review Transfer Pricing documentation (Disclosure Forms, Local File, Master File, and Country-by-Country Reporting where applicable).
• Ensure compliance with OECD and local TP rules, including verification of arm’s length pricing for intercompany transactions on a monthly and annual basis.
• Collaborate with external advisors and internal stakeholders to develop and update intercompany pricing policies.

4. Tax Planning & Advisory

• Identify tax optimization opportunities and provide support on tax-efficient structuring of transactions and business operations.
• Advise business units on tax implications of mergers, acquisitions, restructurings, and cross-border transactions.
• Stay current with international tax developments, including OECD Pillars and Economic Substance regulations.

5. Audits & Risk Management

• Lead tax audits and manage correspondence with tax authorities and external auditors.
• Develop and implement tax risk mitigation strategies and robust internal controls.
• Conduct periodic tax health checks and reconciliations to ensure ongoing compliance and accuracy.

6. Process Improvement & Automation

• Drive automation initiatives in tax processes, working closely with Finance and IT teams on digital transformation projects.
• Establish and maintain tax policies, procedures, and SOPs to promote efficiency and governance across tax operations.

Person Specification

Education:

• Bachelors Degree in Accounting/Finance
• Qualified Accountant – CIMA, CA, ACCA, CPA

Experience:

• Minimum +5 years of corporate finance experience in the BIG 4 (EY, Deloitte, PWC or KPMG
• Tax expert in VAT and exposure to Corporate Tax regimes
• Experience in the UAE Corporate Tax will be an added advantage
• Experience in the Education sector is advantageous
• VAT accounting on Mergers and Acquisitions

About Taaleem

Taaleem is one of the largest, most respected education providers in the United Arab Emirates and the only publically listed Education Provider in the UAE. Taaleem (which means ‘education’ in Arabic’) was established in 2004 and now has over 27,000 students attending our diverse portfolio of private international and public-private partnership schools across the UAE. Taaleem is also one of the Middle East’s leading IB workshop providers for PYP, MYP, DP and IBCP. We began training in 2009 and have enrolled over 7000 participants to date.

Taaleem is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. At Taaleem, we hold ourselves to a high standard of effective practices in relation to child protection, and we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We expect all staff to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be subject to various background checks including receipt of references, proof of relevant qualifications, identification, and police checks, including overseas checks.