Reports to: Tax Manager

Purpose of the Role:

The Assistant Tax Manager is responsible for deputizing the Tax Manager in executing tax compliance, planning, and advisory services, ensuring that all work is conducted in accordance with the firm’s policies, procedures, and relevant tax laws. This role involves assisting the Tax Manager in managing tax engagements, reviewing tax returns and computations, providing technical expertise on tax matters, and supporting clients in navigating complex tax issues. The Assistant Tax Manager will support senior tax professionals and partners in delivering high-quality tax services while adhering to deadlines and budgets.

Detailed Job Specifications

Professional Knowledge & Technical Execution:

Displays a professional understanding of tax laws and regulations applicable to the company and its clients.

Provides technical analysis and advice on complex tax issues, suggesting conclusions based on the assignment’s grading level.

Analyzes tax assignments and provide accurate, detailed conclusions or recommendations, ensuring all tax-related issues are addressed.

Engagement and Job Administration:

Engagement Level: Plan, organize, and execute tax-related tasks effectively. This includes managing the day-to-day operations of client engagements, ensuring timely completion, and maintaining high standards of work.

Job Administration Level: Oversee and manage tax assignments by coordinating with team members, ensuring tasks are performed according to schedule and within budget.

Risk Assessment Level: Conduct a thorough risk assessment of tax-related work, ensuring compliance with tax regulations and identifying potential risks for clients or the firm.

Design and Execute Tax Procedures:

Design, plan, and execute tax procedures to meet the needs of individual client assignments, ensuring accuracy and compliance.

Monitor tax procedures throughout the engagement, adjusting as necessary to meet evolving client needs and regulatory changes.

Tax Work Assignments:

Provide technical analysis and support in the preparation and finalization of tax computations and returns, ensuring they are fully compliant with tax laws and internal templates.

Conclude on complex tax issues related to client assignments and provide solutions or recommendations for improvement.

Client Interaction and Advisory:

Client Advisory: Provide expert tax advice to clients, ensuring their needs are met, and issues are resolved promptly.

Client Meetings: Attend client meetings, discussing tax strategies, planning, and outcomes, ensuring client expectations are managed and technical concerns are addressed.

Tax Return Review and Compliance:

Assist in the preparation and review of tax returns for monthly, quarterly, and annual filings, ensuring the accuracy and compliance of tax computations before submission to the client.

Review deferred tax computations and related returns, ensuring all relevant procedures are followed before final submission.

Conduct final reviews of tax returns and ensure that all tax procedures are complied with before closing out the tax assignment.

Budget & Cost Management:

Work within the agreed cost framework for tax assignments, ensuring that work is delivered on budget.

Alert the tax manager or partner of any overruns, providing justifications and collaborating on possible solutions.

Reporting & Documentation:

Tax Technical Input: Provide technical input into client projects, ensuring tax-related advice is aligned with the firm’s tax policies.

Assist in the preparation and review of tax reports and correspondence for clients, ensuring adherence to the firm’s tax practice manual and quality control procedures.

Reports Ownership: Take ownership of reports issued, including assignment plans, tax computations, tax returns, and tax management letters.

Review tax returns to ensure full compliance with firm templates and tax regulations.

Prepare tax management letters for all audit-related tax reviews, ensuring they are appropriately graded and signed by a partner.

Business & Tax Reporting:

Prepare business reports on tax-related matters, including tax representations to clients, tax authorities, or tax tribunals, as needed.

Ensure accurate and timely preparation of documents and reports related to tax audits, disputes, or inquiries.

Communication & Reporting Structure:

Follow the approved communication methods of the firm in all client-related communications.

Ensure that relevant managers and partners are copied on all communication, and escalate issues to partners in urgent cases.

Client Feedback & Documentation:

Document all client communications, whether oral, email, or other forms, ensuring a clear and accurate record of interactions.

Maintain a system to document feedback and issues raised by clients, addressing them in a timely and professional manner.

Archival Procedures & Compliance:

Responsible for maintaining and archiving files related to tax assignments, ensuring they are stored in accordance with firm policies and regulatory requirements.

Conduct document reviews to ensure that all tax-related files comply with internal standards and legal requirements.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

• Maintains a safe working environment for good health
• Communication to be as per firm communication policy
• Occasional travel may be required for client meetings or tax representation purposes.
• Keeps accurate and effective record of own time
• Follows firm procedures and quality control

SPECIALIST TRAINING:

• Soft skills in team work and communication
• Training on Quality Control (ISQM)

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

Qualifications and Experience

• Grade 12 School Certificate
• Must be a registered ZICA member
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Business from a recognized institution in Accounting or an MSC in Taxation or LLB
• Good understanding of the Zambian Tax laws

Required knowledge, skills and abilities

• Strong knowledge of tax laws, compliance procedures, and tax technical concepts.
• Ability to analyze complex tax issues, identify solutions, and provide actionable recommendations.
• Ability to work well under pressure and to deadlines with attention to detail
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to interact with clients, colleagues, and senior management.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills
• Strong organizational and time management skills.

• Opportunity for professional development in an international environment and for increasing your abilities and skills in various areas;
• Attractive salary based on your professional experience and skills;
• Good working environment.