Sr. Manager - Indirect Tax

Tanqeeb; Dubai; On-site; AED 360,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

Tanqeeb in Dubai seeks a senior VAT professional to oversee end-to-end VAT compliance, registrations, returns, and advisory work for a diverse client portfolio. You will coordinate cross-functional teams, ensure timely filings, and optimize processes through streamlined workflows and automation where possible.

You will lead a VAT team, manage client relationships, monitor engagements and budgets, and contribute to thought leadership while applying UAE VAT law and FTA guidelines.

Qualifications

• Strong UAE VAT advisory and compliance experience, ideally in a tax firm or Big 4.
• Deep knowledge of UAE VAT Law, Executive Regulations and FTA practices.
• Proven track record in VAT advisory, audits, assessments, reconsiderations, and disputes.
• Experience managing client relationships and leading VAT engagements.
• Demonstrated people-management, coaching, and team leadership skills.
• Analytical, problem-solving, report-writing and communication abilities.
• Commercially aware with experience in business development and engagement economics.
• Professional qualification such as CA, ACCA, CTA, CPA, or equivalent preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and tax/accounting systems; AI-enabled tools a plus.

Responsibilities

• Manage the complete VAT compliance cycle including registrations, deregistrations, amendments and VAT returns.
• Review VAT returns and reconciliations against trial balance, revenue, and customs data.
• Oversee VAT refund claims and monitor recovery through to completion.
• Lead VAT audits, assessments, reconsiderations, and information requests.
• Prepare submissions to dispute committees and conduct health checks and testing.
• Maintain client relationships and identify cross-selling opportunities.
• Oversee team development, training, and workload allocation.
• Drive automation and AI-supported improvements in VAT data extraction and reconciliation.

Skills

UAE VAT advisory

Compliance

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Report writing

Communication skills

Client management

Team leadership

Microsoft Excel

Tax/accounting systems

Automation/AI tools

Education

CA / ACCA / CTA / CPA or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Tax accounting systems

Automation/AI tax tools

Job description

VAT Compliance, Registrations & Filings

• Manage the complete VAT compliance cycle, including registrations, deregistrations, amendments, tax group applications, and periodic VAT returns.

• Review VAT returns and supporting reconciliations against trial balance, revenue, and customs data.

• Manage VAT refund claims and monitor recovery through to completion.

• Oversee voluntary disclosures, penalty waiver and instalment applications, and remediation of historic VAT errors.

• Maintain VAT compliance trackers, filing calendars, and status reports, ensuring timely escalation of potential deadlines and risks.

• Review tax invoices, credit notes, record-keeping, and VAT accounting treatment for compliance.

• Support Excise Tax and Corporate Tax compliance matters where required.

VAT Audits, Assessments & Disputes

• Lead FTA VAT audits, assessments, and information requests, including preparation of data packs, reconciliations, and audit responses.

• Prepare and manage reconsideration requests, penalty reviews, and submissions to the Tax Disputes Resolution Committee.

• Conduct VAT health checks, pre-audit reviews, and transaction testing.

• Identify and quantify VAT exposures and penalty risks and recommend appropriate remediation actions.

Client Service & Business Development

• Manage day-to-day relationships with an assigned VAT client portfolio and ensure high-quality service delivery.

• Support revenue growth through VAT advisory, health checks, audit support, and other VAT engagements.

• Identify cross-selling opportunities and support proposals, engagement scoping, and fee estimates.

• Monitor engagement budgets, billing, work-in-progress, recovery, and collections.

• Represent the firm at VAT seminars, webinars, client briefings, and industry events.

• Contribute to VAT technical articles, publications, and thought-leadership initiatives.

Team Leadership & Development

• Supervise, review, coach, and develop Managers, Assistant Managers, and Associates.

• Conduct regular VAT technical training and knowledge-sharing sessions.

• Allocate resources and manage workloads across VAT compliance and advisory engagements.

• Conduct structured performance and development reviews for team members.

• Support recruitment, onboarding, and team development initiatives.

• Deputise for the Director - Tax on VAT matters when required.

Process, Technology & Quality

• Standardise VAT working papers, review checklists, return preparation templates, and SOPs.

• Drive automation and AI-supported improvements in VAT data extraction, return preparation, and reconciliation processes.

• Ensure client confidentiality, data security, regulatory compliance, and adherence to firm policies.

• Maintain complete and accurate engagement documentation and working papers.

Desired Candidate Profile

1. Strong professional experience in UAE VAT advisory and compliance, preferably within a tax consultancy, accounting firm, or Big 4 environment.

2. Strong understanding of UAE VAT Law, Executive Regulations, and FTA practices.

3. Proven experience handling complex VAT advisory matters, audits, assessments, reconsiderations, and disputes.

4. Experience managing client relationships and leading VAT engagements.

5. Demonstrated people-management, coaching, and team leadership skills.

6. Strong analytical, problem-solving, report-writing, and communication skills.

7. Commercially aware with experience in business development and managing engagement economics.

8. Professional qualification such as CA, ACCA, CTA, CPA, or equivalent is preferred.

9. Strong knowledge of Microsoft Excel and tax/accounting systems; familiarity with automation and AI-enabled tax tools is an advantage.