UAE VAT Specialist

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)