Tax Associate

Canonical Ltd.; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Distributed work environment

Learning budget USD 2,000 per year

Bi-annual compensation review

Maternity and paternity leave

Wellness Platform

Travel to new locations (Priority Pass

Job summary

Canonical Ltd. is seeking a Tax Senior Associate to help design and own our tax function across EMEA, including remote and London-based work. You will report to the CFO and lead global tax processes and strategy in a fast-growing tech environment.

You will build scalable tax structures, work with advisers on TP, and ensure compliance across multiple jurisdictions, with a focus on leveraging tax technology to improve efficiency.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of tax experience in Big 4/top firm or multinational in-house tax team.
• Experience with global tax considerations and transfer pricing.
• Experience with IFRS tax provisioning and disclosures.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and review corporate tax, VAT, and other tax returns for entities.
• Coordinate transfer pricing documentation and tax planning with advisers.
• Act as primary contact for tax authority audits and inquiries with external advisors.
• Identify opportunities to streamline tax processes using technology and automation.
• Manage tax provisioning and disclosures under IFRS; calculate ETRs for financial statements.
• Collaborate with finance, legal and operations to provide tax support and ensure alignment.
• Monitor changes in tax legislation across regions and assess impact.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Communication skills

English proficiency

Interpersonal skills

Self-motivation

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Professional accounting qualifications (ACA/ACCA/CIMA)

Tax advisor qualifications (CTA/ADIT)

Job description

Home based - EMEA; Office Based - London, UK

We are hiring a Tax Senior Associate, reporting to the CFO. This role covers multiple Canonical corporate entities in several countries. We have a preference for candidates in EMEA time zones.

This is a unique opportunity for an astute and forward-thinking tax professional to build a tax function from the ground up at a profitable, fast-growing technology company. We're looking for someone with a keen interest in technology and how technology is changing the tax profession, who can translate that insight into a modern, effective strategy and hands-on execution.

Reporting directly to the CFO, you will design and own the tax processes that support our global expansion. Your primary challenge will be navigating the complexity of the evolving global environment in which we operate, where tax rules are constantly evolving. You will work with the CFO to establish a scalable and efficient framework fit for a dynamic, global software business - tackling everything from digital services taxes to leveraging new tax technologies.

In our selection process, we prioritize intellect and strategic thinking over years of experience. We are looking for someone with a strong academic background, a professional qualification in accounting and tax and demonstrable exposure to global tax considerations in a multinational context.

Location: This role will be based remotely in the EMEA region, or may be office based in London, UK

The role entails

• Managing and coordinating the preparation and review of corporate tax, VAT, and other relevant tax returns for our entities, ensuring timely and accurate filings
• Working with external advisers to develop transfer pricing documentation and tax planning initiatives and lead their implementation
• Acting as a key point of contact for tax authority audits and enquiries, preparing responses and supporting documentation in collaboration with external advisors.
• Identifying opportunities to streamline and improve tax processes, controls, and data management to enhance efficiency and accuracy particularly using technology and automation
• Managing and running tax provisioning and reporting under IFRS, including calculating effective tax rates and preparing tax-related disclosures for financial statements
• Working closely with the wider finance team, legal, and business operations to provide tax support and ensure cross-functional alignment
• Monitoring changes in tax legislation across the regions in which we operate and assess their potential impact on the company.

What we are looking for in you

• An exceptional academic track record from high school and university.
• Undergraduate degree in business, finance, economics, technology or other quantitative field.
• Full accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) and tax advisor (CTA, ADIT or equivalent) qualifications.
• A minimum of 3-5 years of relevant tax experience, gained within a Big 4/Top 10 accounting firm or a multinational in-house tax team.
• Track record of going above-and-beyond expectations to achieve outstanding results.
• The work ethic and confidence to shine alongside motivated colleagues.
• Confidence to respectfully speak up, exchange feedback, and share ideas without hesitation.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to explain complex tax concepts to non-tax stakeholders.
• Business level written and spoken English with excellent presentation skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, curiosity, flexibility, and accountability.
• Focus on results, with a personal drive to meet commitments.
• Thoughtfulness and self-motivation.
• Sincere personal motivation aligned with our mission.
• International travel 2-4 times a year for company events up to two weeks long.

In addition we expect that you will match our values, by being:

• Precise, taking care to deliver correctness and clarity.
• Reliable, delivering high quality work that builds trust and confidence.
• Accessible, collaborating to build products and systems that are usable.
• Adroit, blending enthusiasm, knowledge, adaptability, style and character.

Nice-to-have skills

• Leadership ability
• Software or tech industry experience
• Public company finance and reporting experience

What we offer colleagues

We consider geographical location, experience, and performance in shaping compensation worldwide. We assess performance and revisit compensation twice annually to ensure we recognize outstanding colleagues. In addition to base pay, we offer a performance-driven annual bonus or commission. We provide all team members with additional benefits which reflect our values and ideals. We balance our programs to meet local needs and ensure fairness globally.

• Distributed work environment with twice-yearly team sprints in person
• Personal learning and development budget of USD 2,000 per year
• Bi-annual compensation review
• Company recognition rewards
• 40 days annual leave per annum, including public holidays and our All Company holiday periods
• Maternity and paternity leave
• Team Member Assistance Program & Wellness Platform
• Opportunity to travel to new locations to meet colleagues, with Priority Pass for lounge access

About Canonical

Canonical is a pioneering tech firm at the forefront of the global move to open source. Our platform, Ubuntu, is very widely used in breakthrough enterprise initiatives such as public cloud, data science, AI, engineering innovation, and IoT. Our customers include the world's leading public cloud and silicon providers, and industry leaders in many sectors. We are founder-led, profitable, and growing.

Powered by worldwide distributed collaboration since our inception in 2004, we believe tech and business leadership can emerge anywhere. We have no central headquarters. Most of us work from home, but we are exceptionally disciplined about this. We have very high expectations of all colleagues, and are champions of excellence. Working here is a step into the future and will challenge you to think differently, work smarter, learn new skills, and raise your game.