Tax Manager

Mukuru; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Mukuru is seeking a Tax Manager to lead day‑to‑day Group tax compliance and reporting, strengthen tax risk management, and support informed business decisions across Africa, the UK and Europe. You will partner with the Tax Director on material and strategic issues and oversee tax governance for scalable growth.

Ideal candidates have 7–10 years in tax, VAT expertise, and experience in multinational or fintech environments, with a postgraduate qualification and a professional tax designation.

Qualifications

• 7–10 years in a tax role with cross‑border exposure
• VAT and indirect taxes experience (minimum 5 years)
• Experience supervising or leading a team (minimum 5 years)
• Multinational or fintech context highly advantageous
• Strong IFRS and tax compliance knowledge

Responsibilities

• Lead Group tax strategy, planning and projects, coordinating stakeholders
• Oversee tax accounting, reconciliations and monthly close processes
• Manage multi‑jurisdictional compliance across Africa, UK and Europe
• Lead tax risk, audits, controls and remediation activities
• Engage with leadership, legal, compliance and external advisers to align tax practices

Skills

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Communication

Problem-solving

Education

Postgraduate honours in Accounting/Tax

CA designation or MCom Tax

Tax practitioner registration / certification

Job description

Shape Confident Tax Decisions Across a Growing Fintech Group

Are you an experienced tax professional who can turn complex requirements into clear, practical action?

Mukuru is looking for a Tax Manager to lead the day-to-day delivery of Group tax compliance and reporting, strengthen tax risk management, and support informed business decisions across multiple jurisdictions.

In this role, you will manage operational tax matters while partnering with the Tax Director on material, unusual and strategic issues.

Why This Role Matters

Your work will help protect the Group, improve reporting quality, enable responsible expansion, and build scalable tax processes for new products, entities and markets.

You will have the opportunity to influence key decisions, improve the way we work, and contribute to a strong, future‑ready tax function.

What You Will Lead

Tax Strategy, Planning and Projects

• Help develop and implement Group tax processes and polices that support business priorities.
• Lead tax planning and advisory projects, coordinate stakeholders, and translate technical findings into practical recommendations.
• Advise on the tax implications of business decisions, transactions, new products, entities and country launches.
• Manage tax projects focused on optimising the Group’s tax position, improving efficiency and mitigating risk.
• Manage external advisers and review deliverables to ensure they meet the agreed scope, quality and budget.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to ensure tax decisions align with business objectives.

Tax Accounting and Reporting

• Review income tax and other tax reconciliations, advise on adjustments, and support monthly close activities.
• Ensure tax positions align with applicable accounting standards and tax regulations.
• Provide insight into the effect of tax matters on the Group’s financial statements.
• Partner with auditors, service providers and internal finance teams on tax calculations, reporting positions and audit readiness.
• Ensure the timely processing of VAT payments and refunds.
• Drive tax automation and continuous improvement initiatives.

Multi‑Jurisdictional Tax Compliance

• Oversee accurate and timely tax returns and reporting across Africa, the United Kingdom and Europe.
• Maintain a strong understanding of relevant local and international tax legislation.
• Review tax returns, calculations and reports for quality, accuracy and completeness.
• Maintain high‑quality working papers, filing packs, supporting evidence and audit‑ready documentation.
• Coordinate responses to tax information and data requests.
• Oversee direct and indirect tax obligations, including company tax, payroll taxes, VAT, GST and SDL.
• Maintain accurate tax balances on the general ledger.
• Coordinate transfer pricing master and local files, supporting documentation, returns and external adviser engagement.
• Implement and coordinate transfer pricing processes in line with Mukuru’s transfer pricing policy.

Tax Risk, Audits and Controls

• Manage the Group tax risk register, tax controls and remediation tracking.
• Identify tax risks relating to existing operations, new products, entities and country launches.
• Recommend practical actions to reduce financial, regulatory and reputational exposure.
• Implement effective controls and processes to support accurate tax calculations, compliance and reporting.
• Lead tax audits by coordinating information requests, adviser input, dispute strategy and recommended resolutions.
• Work closely with legal and compliance teams to align tax practices with regulatory requirements.
• Escalate material exposures, uncertain tax positions and significant tax authority matters where required.

Leadership and Stakeholder Engagement

• Set objectives, prioritise workloads, coach team members and build tax capability within the team.
• Manage and support the performance of the Junior Tax Specialist and any other assigned direct or indirect reports.
• Provide clear tax guidance and training to colleagues across the business.
• Keep stakeholders informed about developments and changes in tax regulations.
• Explain complex tax concepts clearly to colleagues who may not have a tax background.
• Build strong working relationships with finance leadership, legal, compliance, external advisers and tax authorities.

What You Will Bring

Qualifications

• A postgraduate honours degree or postgraduate diploma in Accounting or Tax.
• A Chartered Accountant designation, professional tax qualification or MCom Tax.
• Registration as a tax practitioner or recognised professional tax certification.

Experience

• Between 7 and 10 years of experience in a tax role.
• Between 7 and 10 years of experience managing tax projects, tax audits and providing tax advice.
• At least 5 years of experience in VAT and indirect taxes.
• At least 5 years of experience supervising or leading a team.
• At least 5 years of experience in a multinational or cross‑border organisation, accounting firm, financial institution or fintech environment.
• Experience working across African markets will be advantageous.

Knowledge and Skills

• Advanced knowledge of corporate tax and VAT legislation, including VAT apportionment.
• Strong knowledge of global tax regulations, with a focus on Africa.
• Advanced knowledge of IFRS and tax compliance requirements.
• Experience working with different types of tax returns.
• Strong knowledge of international tax and complex transfer pricing.
• Proficiency in tax software, financial systems and Microsoft Office.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• The ability to analyse complex tax matters and recommend practical solutions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong leadership, coaching and mentoring capabilities.
• The ability to adapt to changing regulations and business environments.
• A proactive, accountable and solutions‑focused approach.

Should you be appointed in a remote/work from home role at Mukuru, it is your responsibility to ensure that you have uninterrupted internet connectivity and a ‘work‑like’ environment at your home location, in order to deliver your best in terms of performance, productivity and service to our customers.

NB: ALL STAFF APPOINTMENTS WILL BE MADE WITH DUE CONSIDERATION OF THE COMPANY’S DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION PLANS