Tax Manager

Reports to: Division Manager, Tax

Direct Report(s):

Supervisor, Tax

Job Summary

To manage the execution of the organisation’s tax strategy, and directly manage tax tactics, advisory, compliance and general tax matters for the organisation, carrying along internal and external stakeholders, in order to ensure the group's tax portfolio delivers optimal compliant returns while building a capable tax team and strong internal, external and regulatory relationships.

KEY RESPONSIBILITY AREAS (KRAs) & INITIATIVES

1) Tax Strategy, Advisory and Compliance Management

• Interpret and provide specialist guidance on tax laws and Oando's practice for complex and strategic matters, applying relevant principles, to ensure optimal returns from the business' tax portfolio.
• Manage departments within the group to procure the information required for tax processes, advising on proper internal processes, to ensure compliance with tax laws and avoidance of tax leakage.
• Approve tax positions and advisory documents prepared by the Supervisor and Officer, Tax, applying independent judgment, to give management assurance that the output is technically sound.
• Find solutions to unconventional tax situations arising across the business, applying a results oriented approach, to keep operations moving while remaining compliant.
• Support the group's corporate finance and allied finance processes with tax input on transactions and structuring, so that decisions properly reflect their tax implications.

2) Tax Accruals Approval and Reconciliation

• Approve tax accruals, tax assets and tax liabilities for internal and external users, to actively support the Financial Reporting, Management Reporting, Budgeting, Treasury and allied Finance processes.
• Coordinate the effective and timely computation and filing of tax returns across the unit, tracking deadlines, so that the organisation consistently meets its statutory obligations.
• Coordinate the effective and timely computation and presentation of tax accruals for each reporting period, reviewing prepared schedules, to ensure accurate financial disclosures.
  
• Coordinate and review the periodic reconciliation of tax accruals to actuals, investigating material variances, to maintain the legal, accounting and mathematical accuracy of tax numbers.
• Support the designing of systems and processes for tax and related regulatory compliance, ensuring they are adhered to, so that the tax function operates efficiently and consistently.

3) Regulatory and Stakeholder Relationship Management

• Build and manage strong relationships with tax authorities, engaging proactively, so that the group's tax issues and information are well managed and disputes are minimized.
• Interface between the tax authorities and the group on substantive matters, representing Oando at external tax meetings, to protect the company's interests and reputation.
• Manage relationships with tax consultants, lawyers, regulatory bodies and other stakeholders, coordinating their input on complex matters, so that the business obtains specialist support when needed.
• Provide regular awareness and exposure to the organisation on contemporary tax matters, briefing management, to keep the business informed of developments affecting its tax portfolio.
• Champion the proactive identification of tax reduction opportunities and assess risks of cost overruns and their implications, advising management accordingly, to protect and enhance shareholder value.

4) Internal Controls and Tax Risk Management

• Actively drive the implementation of adequate internal controls in projects and operations, to minimize tax exposures and leakages across the business.
• Ensure the legal, accounting and mathematical accuracy of tax numbers produced by the Tax Unit, reviewing outputs before approval, to protect the integrity of the organisation's tax reporting.
• Oversee the management of legacy tax liabilities and tax cash flows, directing remediation actions, to reduce the company's exposure to historical tax risk.
• Support Finance and other departments in project / asset financial and performance analysis, highlighting tax risk considerations, to enable sound decision making.
• Escalate significant tax exposures or disputes to the Division Manager with recommended actions, so that leadership can respond in a timely and coordinated manner.

5) Team Leadership and Capability Development

• Supervise the Supervisors and Officers directly and indirectly, allocating work and setting expectations, to ensure consistent, high-quality delivery across the Unit.
• Mentor, coach and guide tax related staff of the group, supporting their development, to build the tax team's competence and process maturity over time.
• Take decisions independently at internal and external meetings without day-to-day supervision, applying sound judgment, to represent the Tax Unit credibly at management level.
• Review team performance against tax KPIs and objectives, providing feedback and support, to maintain a culture of accuracy, timeliness and continuous improvement.
• Coordinate cross-functional collaboration between the Tax Unit and other Finance functions, facilitating knowledge sharing, to strengthen the overall effectiveness of the group's tax management.

6) General Support to Leadership

• Carry out other related tasks as directed from time to time by the organisation’s leadership.

Qualifications & Experience Requirements

Minimum Qualification

• Bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a reputable institution.

Required Professional Certifications / Accreditations / Registrations:

• Membership of a recognised professional accounting body such as the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) or Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).
• Membership of a recognised professional taxation body such as the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN)

Minimum Years of Experience and Relevant Areas:

• Minimum of 8 years cumulative experience in tax practice in a reputable consulting firm or in-house tax department of a reputable company, or a mix of both, including at least 2 years in a management position. Minimum of 3 years' experience in an oil and gas company or a role with oil and gas related deliverables in a reputable consulting firm, or a mix of both.
  

Proven experience in:

• Tax Compliance and Return Filing - leading tax compliance activities, including the preparation, review and timely filing of income tax, transaction tax, Stamp Duties, PAYE and other tax returns.
• Tactical Tax Planning and Advisory - providing tactical tax planning and advisory services to support business operations, projects, acquisitions, disposals etc.
• Upstream Oil and Gas Tax Interpretation - interpreting and applying the tax laws particularly as they affect upstream oil and gas operations.
• Tax Audit and Dispute Management - managing tax audits, investigations, assessments, objections, disputes, etc. with the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) and State Internal Revenue Services.
• Tax Governance and Risk Management - developing and implementing tax governance frameworks, internal controls, tax risk management strategies, and compliance monitoring processes to minimize tax exposure and strengthen regulatory compliance.
• Tax Provisioning and Financial Reporting - preparing and reviewing tax computations, tax provisions, reconciliations, and related financial statements information.
• Cross-Functional Tax Business Partnering - partnering with other departments to provide proactive tax guidance and ensure tax implications are effectively considered in commercial and operational decisions.
• Tax Optimization and Incentives Management - identifying opportunities for tax optimization, incentives, exemptions, and operational efficiencies while maintaining full compliance with statutory and corporate governance requirements.
• Tax Team Leadership and Development - leading, coaching/developing tax professionals while fostering a culture of integrity, accountability, continuous improvement, and technical excellence.

Any Additional Qualifications / Certifications or Experience (Desirable but not essential):

• Extended oil and gas industry taxation exposure beyond the minimum requirement.
• Legal qualification and/or relevant legal experience. o Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools and/or tax applications.