Tax Specialist

Communicate Finance; Randburg; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Communicate Finance is seeking a Tax Specialist to oversee tax compliance and reporting for life insurance entities in South Africa. You will manage calculations, returns, schedules, and disclosures under the 5-fund taxation methodology and engage SARS and auditors.

The role requires 3–5 years in life insurance taxation, strong technical knowledge, and the ability to interpret legislative changes in a complex financial services environment.

Qualifications

• CA(SA) qualification preferred.
• BCom in Accounting, Taxation, Finance, or related field.
• Postgraduate Taxation qualification advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Take responsibility for tax compliance and reporting across life insurance entities.
• Prepare, review, and validate tax calculations per 5-fund taxation.
• Manage compilation and submission of income tax returns and schedules.
• Ensure adherence to tax legislation and SARS obligations.
• Prepare tax provisions and disclosures for financial reporting.
• Maintain and reconcile tax accounts for accuracy.
• Engage with business stakeholders, auditors, and SARS on tax matters.
• Monitor changes in tax legislation and impact on operations.
• Provide specialist tax support to finance, actuarial and operations.
• Contribute to tax risk management, regulatory submissions and audits.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen tax processes and controls.

Skills

Life insurance taxation

SARS liaison

5-fund tax system

Tax returns & schedules

IFRS/tax accounting

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical skills

Education

CA(SA)

BCom in Accounting/Tax/Finance

Postgraduate Taxation qualification (advantageous)

Job description

Job Description

• Take responsibility for tax compliance and reporting activities across various life insurance entities
• Prepare, review, and validate tax calculations in accordance with the life insurance 5-fund taxation methodology
• Manage the compilation and submission of income tax returns, supporting schedules, and statutory documentation
• Ensure adherence to applicable tax legislation, regulatory requirements, and SARS compliance obligations
• Prepare tax provisions and tax-related disclosures for financial reporting purposes
• Maintain and reconcile tax accounts, ensuring the accuracy and completeness of balances
• Engage with business stakeholders, external auditors, and tax authorities on tax-related matters
• Monitor changes in tax legislation and assess the impact on life insurance operations and reporting requirements
• Provide specialist tax support and guidance to finance, actuarial, and operational teams
• Contribute to tax risk management initiatives, regulatory submissions, and audit engagements
• Identify opportunities to strengthen tax processes, controls, and overall compliance frameworks

Skills & Experience

• Minimum 3-5 years’ of recent experience within the Life Insurance industry
• Demonstrated expertise in life insurance taxation and related compliance requirements
• Strong working knowledge of the 5-fund tax system and its practical application
• Proven experience preparing and submitting tax returns, regulatory schedules, and statutory filings for life insurers
• Experience liaising directly with SARS, external auditors, and regulatory stakeholders
• Strong technical tax knowledge combined with excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to interpret and apply legislative changes within a complex financial services environment
• Exposure to IFRS reporting and tax accounting principles will be advantageous
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage effectively across multiple stakeholder groups

Qualification

• CA(SA) qualification preferred
• BCom in Accounting, Taxation, Finance, or a related commercial discipline
• Postgraduate qualification in Taxation or a relevant professional tax qualification will be advantageous