JOB DESCRIPTION At Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, our ambition is to help you achieve your goals.
Exceptional client service and the pursuit of excellence are at our core. We invest in and care about our client relationships, which is why many are incredibly longstanding. And we enjoy breaking new ground, as we have for over 100 years.
We are where you need us to be. We are in the world's largest markets, key financial centres and major growth hubs. Our international footprint is extensive and committed.
We are at our best tackling complexity and navigating change. We work alongside you on demanding contentious matters, exacting regulatory work and complex public and private market transactions. We are recognised as leading in these areas.
We are immersed in the sectors and challenges that impact you. We are recognised as standing apart in energy, ESG, infrastructure and resources. And we're focused on areas of growth that affect every business across the world, including technology and digitalisation.
All of this is achieved by supporting the growth of our people, who help us deliver on our ambition - which is to help you achieve yours.
Your goals. Our ambition.
The OpportunityPrimary Responsibilities: Maintaining an up-to-date tax strategy for the firm, consistent with best practiceOversight and management of the efficient completion, on a timely and accurate basis, of all of the firm’s global tax compliance obligations, including income and corporation tax computations and returns, tax balances in statutory accounts, tax provisioning, VAT and sales taxes, payroll, double tax relief claims and tax paymentsOngoing review and reconciliation of partners' tax paymentsManaging and mitigating tax risks arising from international remote working, working with the International Mobility team to track overseas workers, and communicating policy decisions to stakeholders throughout the firmResponsibility for the firm's employment taxes, including management of IR35 risks, PSA and FBT reporting and other ad hoc issues arisingPreparing and submitting the firm's annual Country by Country report, fulfilling notification requirements throughout the network in which the firm operates, ensuring appropriate transfer pricing documentation is in place globally, and ensuring compliance with other transfer pricing requirements as they developDetermining tax risks and working with the Director of Tax and Partner Finance to assess, prioritise, communicate and address these risksSupporting the Director of Tax and Partner Finance and CFO with quarterly RMAC papers on tax and partner finance topicsSupporting management with specific tax and partner finance matters, eg foreign exchange impacts, relocations, partnership entitiesLiaison with HMRC and the ATO; ensuring appropriate risk ratings are achieved and negotiating positions as required.Liaising with other relevant tax authorities where appropriateManaging responses to tax audits and enquiries globally, working with local finance teams to provide appropriate responses and information to ensure efficient resolution Establishing systems to monitor legislative changes in tax and reporting requirements (eg Pillar 2), and implementing the firm's policies and reporting in response to these, to ensure compliance in line with legal and regulatory requirements, and the firm's tax strategyResponsibility for tax issues associated with partner and staff moves, and policy development.Ensuring appropriate accounting and tax treatment for partners and staff on secondmentAssisting fee earners and the broader Business Finance team with efficient structuring of client billing and revenue remittance arrangements to maximise the profitability of transactions.Working with colleagues and external advisors to identify tax efficient ways of structuring cross-border transactionsLiaising with colleagues from a non-tax background, both within the finance team and the wider business, to ensure tax is properly understood and factored into decision making across the business.Advising on the international tax considerations of strategic initiatives including new office openings, associations with local law firms, lateral hires, changes to remuneration systemsWorking with the Head of Partner Finance, Tax Processes and Controls to ensure efficient year-end processes. Ensuring that appropriate internal controls and supervision routines are in place for the international tax team's workLeadership of the international tax team, ensuring continual improvement, appropriate development of talent and succession planningCore part of the Tax and Partner Finance team senior leadership team, sharing responsibility for overall team planning, development and managementDeveloping and maintaining strong relationships with Business Finance and management stakeholders across the firm, in particular to pro-actively identify areas of activity where tax and partner finance issues may arise, or where the Tax and Partner Finance team should become more significantly involvedEvaluating best practice and identifying and driving operational improvements in the Tax and Partner Finance team's processesEnsuring pro-active communication within the Tax and Partner Finance teamQualifications, skills and experience Proven post-qualification tax and partner finance experience in a partnership settingOver 10 years' experience in a role in a large organisation where you have operated at a senior advisory or similar level.We will consider equivalent relevant experience or those with more or less experience, providing they meet the required competencies and can demonstrate successfully undertaking the above outlined responsibilitiesStrong tax technical knowledge across all aspects of international tax especially with regards to the UK, US and Australia, and a selection of other territories relevant to the firmStrong appreciation of how tax fits into the wider business context from a compliance, commercial and risk perspectivesExcellent managerial skills, especially with regard to a specialist team spreads across different locations and time zonesDemonstration of influencing skills with senior management, especially regarding topics of sensitivity such as tax and remunerationManaging change within their area of responsibilityAttention to detail with a high level of accuracyExcellent written and oral communication skillsStrong organisational skills and ability to prioritiseEducated to degree level or equivalentQualified accountant and/or tax adviserCompetenciesPersonal leadership Energises those around them, simplifies complexity and makes quality decisionsBrings perspective and a constructive approach to high pressure situations and directs attention to solutionsMakes sound commercial decisions based on a clear understanding of the businessActs decisively even on the basis of incomplete informationCollaborates with othersDevelops innovative solutions by valuing diversity of thought, expertise and experienceBrings a positive energy to the way they work and inspires this in othersDraws on internal networks to bring people with the right skills and expertise together to develop solutionsBuilds high performing teams Builds highly engaged teams that are diverse and inclusive and can excel in a range of situationsCreates an environment that encourages personal accountability, and builds the confidence of others by highlighting their strengths and achievementsFocuses on clients Always acts with the firm’s clients in mindPrioritises initiatives that will positively impact the client experience and their businessDevelops solutions that balance client needs and the sustainable profitability of the firmTakes active steps to cultivate and maintain an excellent reputation in the marketInnovates Leads and influences changeSeeks out market trends and introduces relevant ideas for competitive advantageEnvisions ways for the firm to differentiate itself and is driven to achieve thisAchieves results Makes things happen in a complex environmentRemains focused on long term objectives and broad firm issuesTeamBusiness FinanceWorking PatternFull timeLocationLondonContract typePermanent ContractDiversity & InclusionWe are committed to attracting people from all backgrounds and creating a respectful and inclusive culture where everyone thrives. We see this as essential to our success, including our ability to innovate and achieve sustained high performance. This is a key part of our Values—Human, Bold, and Outstanding.
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