Senior Manager - Taxation and Accounting

The Senior Manager, Taxation and Accounting is responsible for the effective tax planning and tax compliance of the Sygnus Group.

Senior Manager - Taxation and Accounting

Overview:

The Senior Manager - Taxation and Accounting is responsible for the effective tax planning and tax compliance of the Sygnus Group, by ensuring that the tax filings for the entities within the Group are completed in an accurate and timely manner and are compliant with the relevant tax laws in each jurisdiction. He/She will highlights potential tax risks and ways to mitigate those risks, identifies strategic opportunities to improve tax efficiency in the existing operations and will lead the implementation of any tax planning initiatives that are approved. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Maintain the integrity of tax compliance reporting for the Sygnus Group by ensuring that proper procedures are in place to facilitate accurate computations for tax obligations and timely submission of related returns and payments. This includes but is not limited to:
• Reviewing the financial statements across the Group in conjunction with finalizing and submitting related tax returns. (Income taxes, consumption taxes, withholding taxes, statutory taxes, property taxes, asset taxes, contractor’s levy and other such tax types).
• Preparing and/or overseeing the preparation of tax returns for all entities across the Group to ensure compliance with their local laws, and that effective controls are in place for meeting established deadlines.
• Providing advice and counsel on the Group’s income tax and other statutory returns, determining areas of tax exposure and actively identifying process improvements and implementing measures to maintain compliance.
• Act as the chief liaison with tax authorities, third party consultants, internal and external audit teams in each jurisdiction to resolve tax related issues and negotiate where necessary:
• Overseeing the preparation and timely submission of tax requirements across the Group for the various stakeholders (tax authorities, consultants, internal and external auditors).
• Initiating discussions with the relevant stakeholders to obtain information required and responding promptly to tax queries.
• Liaising with the tax authorities to address issues such as tax assessments, appeals and interpretation of tax legislation.
• Ensuring any control deficiencies raised from due diligence reviews, tax audits, internal or external audit engagements are prioritized and properly resolved.
• Initiate and perform work on a wide range of projects, strategic initiatives and other duties as assigned by the CFO and/or Executive Management or the Board of Directors. This may include undertaking activities such as:
• Sitting on various cross-functional project committees to provide Jamaican tax advice and information to business leads, portfolio managers and other stakeholders on day-to-day matters and new business transactions such as mergers and acquisitions, consolidations etc…
• Determining tax resource requirements for these projects, engaging and supervising external consultants, providing ongoing guidance to them on scope of work and ensuring related deliverables are met within established timelines and budget. 
• Researching and providing feedback on changes in tax legislation in the various jurisdictions to Executives and the Board of Directors.
• Assisting with projections relating to tax obligations for the Group as part of the annual budget exercise.
• Keep up-to-date on all regional tax developments and their potential impact on the Group. Maintain basic knowledge of key tax developments in other jurisdictions and maintain close working relationships with experts used in other jurisdictions.
• Identify ongoing opportunities to conduct internal training to the wider Sygnus team and the Board of Directors on emerging issues.

Relevant Skills, Knowledge and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or equivalent.
• Post-graduate degree in Accounting or Tax.
• Relevant professional certification for example CPA, CA, ACCA or Legal Education Certificate.
• Minimum 5-7 years of relevant accounting and tax experience within a business environment with exposure to tax filings, tax compliance and dealings with tax authorities and external auditors.
• Solid background in accounting and general knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). 
• Good understanding of the alternative investments industry, the local and business environment and be able to maintain a broad perspective of the long-term strategic objectives of Sygnus.
• Solid knowledge of Caribbean tax (particularly, Jamaica, Barbados and St. Lucia)
• Solid knowledge of current and emerging tax issues, with the ability to apply general and working knowledge of tax law.
• Broad exposure to tax advisory, compliance and legislation.
• Ability to interpret complex regulatory requirements and create appropriate policies, procedures and training materials.
• Excellent computer analysis and research skills, including experience in use of Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft PowerPoint.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent judgment and a high level of integrity and professionalism.
• Proactive and analytical problem solver with the ability to work independently.
• Strong interpersonal skills, diplomacy when dealing with internal and external contacts and the ability to adapt to a team approach.
• Demonstrates the principles and values of the Sygnus Group.

About Sygnus: