Head of Tax | Cape Town

The Recruitment Council; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 950,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading accounting firm in South Africa seeks a Head of Tax to drive their tax department's success, ensuring compliance and advisory excellence. This pivotal role involves managing a high-performing team, developing tailored services for high-net-worth individuals, and navigating complex tax landscapes. The ideal candidate will possess a Master's degree in Taxation and be a qualified Chartered Accountant with 10 years of progressive tax experience.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of relevant tax experience focusing on high-net-worth individuals.
• Strong background in managing and growing a tax department in a professional services firm.
• Proven proficiency in tax and accounting software.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Tax Department, overseeing compliance and advisory services.
• Develop and implement a structured Family Office service for high-net-worth clients.
• Cultivate client relationships and deliver strategic tax advice.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical Skills

Communication

Education

Master’s degree in Taxation

Qualified Chartered Accountant (CA(SA))

Tools

GreatSoft

Microsoft Office Suite

Libralex

Xero

Job description

Our Client is a growing and dynamic accounting firm in South Africa, dedicated to providing exceptional accounting, tax, and advisory services. They pride themselves on their commitment to excellence and their ability to support a diverse client base, often with international interests. As they continue to expand their capabilities, they are seeking a visionary and experienced Head of Tax to lead and grow their tax department, ensure world-class compliance, and establish a dedicated Family Office service for high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs).

The Opportunity:

As the Head of Tax, you will be a pivotal member of Our Client’s leadership team, responsible for the strategic direction and operational success of their tax department. You will oversee both compliance and advisory services, build and manage a high-performing team, and spearhead the development of their new Family Office offering. This is an exciting opportunity for a driven and technically astute tax professional with strong leadership skills and a passion for delivering exceptional client service.

Key Responsibilities:

Tax Department Leadership & Management:

• Assume full accountability for the Tax Department, encompassing both compliance and tax advisory functions.
• Strategically develop, implement, and oversee a structured Family Office service offering tailored to the unique needs of HNWIs.
• Formulate and execute tax strategies that align with Our Client’s objective of providing world-class tax services.
• Provide expert advice on the structuring, administration, and taxation of Trusts, ensuring optimal tax efficiency and compliance.
• Establish and monitor departmental targets, ensuring financial profitability and sustainable growth.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of tax professionals, fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional development.

Tax Advisory & Compliance:

• Deliver expert tax advisory services to clients with complex, often multi-jurisdictional tax considerations, while ensuring all advice remains rooted in South African tax legislation.
• Maintain a deep understanding of current and emerging tax legislation, SARS compliance requirements, and industry best practices.
• Prepare and review comprehensive tax opinions for Directors and clients.
• Oversee and manage end-to-end tax compliance across a broad range of tax types, including:
  • Income tax
  • Value Added Tax (VAT)
  • Payroll taxes (PAYE, UIF, SDL)
  • Dividends Withholding Tax (DWT)
  • Securities Transfer Tax (STT)
  • Other applicable withholding taxes
• Manage all aspects of tax registrations, SARS audits and verifications, and the resolution of tax disputes.
• Oversee the accurate calculation of income tax and deferred tax for year-end financial processing.

Estate Planning & Executorship Oversight:

• Manage and oversee Our Client’s estate planning and executorship services, ensuring efficient and seamless administration of deceased estates.
• Supervise the drafting of wills, accurate estate duty calculations, and comprehensive estate tax planning.
• Ensure strict compliance with all legal and tax requirements related to estate administration.
• Utilise Libralex software effectively to streamline estate planning and executorship processes.

Client Engagement & Business Development:

• Cultivate and maintain strong, long-term relationships with clients, delivering exceptional service and insightful strategic tax advice.
• Develop and implement tailored tax solutions for high-net-worth individuals and businesses operating in intricate tax environments.
• Proactively engage with clients to understand their tax planning, compliance, and advisory needs.
• Undertake travel to client sites, SARS offices, service providers, and other of Our Client’s offices as required.

Operational & Financial Management:

• Establish and maintain effective and competitive pricing structures for tax services to ensure departmental profitability.
• Drive continuous improvement and efficiency in tax compliance and reporting processes.
• Prepare and manage client billing, ensuring accuracy and timely invoicing.
• Ensure the Tax Department maintains accurate and up-to-date time records for all billable activities.

Collaboration & Cross-Departmental Support:

• Collaborate closely with Partners, the accounting team, and the business advisory team to provide integrated financial and tax solutions to clients.
• Provide support to other service offerings during peak periods, including monthly processing and statutory compliance, as needed.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Master’s degree in Taxation.
• Qualified Chartered Accountant (CA(SA)) or an equivalent professional qualification.
• A minimum of 10 years of progressive and relevant tax experience, with a strong focus on:
  • Taxation of high-net-worth individuals.
  • Multi-jurisdictional tax considerations (with a primary focus on South African tax advice).
  • Navigating SARS compliance, managing tax audits, and resolving tax disputes.
  • Successfully managing and growing a tax department within a professional services firm.
• Proven proficiency in tax and accounting software, including:
  • Must-have: GreatSoft and Microsoft Office Suite.
  • Nice-to-have: Libralex and Xero.

Key Attributes & Skills:

• Exceptional managerial and leadership skills, with a demonstrated ability to build, motivate, and lead a high-performing team.
• Unwavering commitment to high integrity, ethical standards, and professional credibility.
• Outstanding communication (both written and verbal) and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships with clients, stakeholders, and team members.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with meticulous attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and drive results.
• High energy levels and the capacity to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Excellent time management and organisational skills.
• Flexibility and willingness to travel as required.

To Apply:

If you are a highly motivated and experienced tax professional looking for a challenging and rewarding opportunity to lead a dynamic tax department and build a new Family Office offering at Our Client, we encourage you to apply.