We are looking for two Tax professionals to provide tax support for Etihad Airways and its group companies (‘Etihad’) in a range of taxation areas including planning, advisory, compliance, reporting and audit defense matters, with an element of “hands-on” management of tax matters including tax compliances and related operational matters. Whilst successful candidates would be expected to have broad capabilities across taxes, one of the roles will require strong international direct tax competence whereas the other will require strong international indirect tax competence. 

•    Monitoring updates on tax laws and multilateral tax initiatives and ensuring compliance with them;
•    Working closely with internal and external stakeholders with regard to evaluating and advising on changes in the tax landscape, and managing Etihad’s responses (strategic and operational) to such developments;
•    Advising on tax implications arising from contracts and similar documentation;
•    Advising business units on tax implications of their operations by evaluating complex commercial arrangements and applying knowledge and experience to develop recommendations;
•    Working closely with “outstation” finance teams on tax matters in or pertaining to overseas jurisdictions (“outstations” is the term used for overseas branches of airlines);
•    Managing tax audits, reviews, disputes and other risks globally, preparing adequate documentation in response, and reporting internally as necessary;
•    Analysing transactional data and validating the correctness thereof to ensure compliance with tax requirements;
•    Working closely with multiple teams, such as Accounts Payable (AP), Accounts Receivable (AR), Treasury, Revenue Accounting, operational business units, etc. to ensure complete and accurate tax reporting;
•    Arranging tax documentation to enable Etihad to avail of tax exemptions;
•    Various other tax related matters.

The direct tax role will also involve:
•    Implementing UAE Corporate Income Tax and the OECD’s Pillar 2 regime within Etihad, including developing processes and templates, and, thereafter, liaising with colleagues in Financial Reporting & Control and other stakeholders in preparing periodic current tax and deferred tax disclosures for interim and statutory financial reporting, preparing tax computations and returns for submission to the respective regulatory authorities;
•    Developing/updating Etihad’s Transfer Pricing policy in light of UAE Corporate Income Tax, ensuring compliance and making necessary submissions, including, Country-by-Country-Report, Master File, Local File in all relevant jurisdictions;
•    Ensuring performance of Etihad’s direct tax compliances including computation of tax, payment of tax, and filing of returns; and
•    Arranging Tax Residence Certificates from the UAE Federal Tax Authority and other similar tax documentation to avail of tax exemptions;

The indirect tax role will also involve:
•    Ensuring performance of Etihad’s UAE VAT compliances including computation of tax, payment of tax, and filing of returns; and
•    Guidance in relation to management of indirect tax matters pertaining to outstations.

•    Chartered Accountant (or other relevant professional qualification (e.g., CA, ACA, CPA, CTA)) with 6+ years of experience in tax advisory and compliances;
•    Experience in providing taxation advice to business units, including conducting research and providing practical written advice including reviewing contractual agreements, including those governed by English contract law, and making recommendations;
•    “Hands-on” experience in international tax advisory and compliances, including preparation, review and submission of returns, dealing with tax authorities, etc.;
•    Confidence and experience in operating in an international business environment (for example, having worked for a multi-national company or international advisory firm);
•    The applicant must demonstrate a pro-active nature, a self-starter mentality and a commercial mindset; 
•    Experience in dealing with requests from, or audits conducted by, tax authorities; 
•    An appropriate understanding (depending on whether a direct tax role or an indirect tax role) of the OECD’s Pillar 2 initiative and its impacts on multi-nationals;
•    For direct tax roles, an understanding of the UAE’s new Corporate Income Tax regime;
•    For indirect tax roles, an appreciation of the interaction of VAT with other indirect taxes, such as excise and customs;
•    Experience working in a dynamic cross-functional team and a good team-player;
•    Prior experience and knowledge of ERP systems and interfaces is an advantage;
•    Etihad’s workforce at its head office in Abu Dhabi is drawn from a diverse range of nationalities and English is the working language used there; accordingly, the Tax Manager would be expected to have a suitable standard of written and spoken English;
•    Good people skills, including confidence in discussing and explaining matters in person or by telephone and a tenacious approach to achieving results;
•    This role is likely to require occasional international business travel and flexibility to ensure that deadlines are met.