About The Job
We are looking for a dynamic and highly skilled Indirect Tax Lead to join our Sanofi Finance Team in Kuala Lumpur. This role is a blend of leadership and hands-on operational responsibility, encompassing indirect tax compliance, core model implementation, and the management of complex countries or entities.
As a leader in the Tax and Statutory Reporting Team, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the indirect tax landscape for the Asia region. Starting in 2025, indirect tax activities from multiple countries will be centralized to the Kuala Lumpur Hub, offering a unique opportunity to lead transformational projects while being directly involved in the compliance and operational aspects of the role.
Leadership And Team Management
You will manage a growing team, focusing on delivering high-quality services, driving continuous improvement, and handling operational responsibilities for more complex tax jurisdictions. Key Responsibilities include:
- Lead, mentor, and motivate a team of indirect tax professionals to deliver exceptional results and foster a collaborative team culture.
- Coach and guide team members, helping them develop technical skills and ensuring high-quality outputs.
- Manage team performance by setting clear objectives, monitoring progress, and addressing challenges proactively.
- Act as the primary point of escalation for complex issues and ensure timely resolution.
- Drive team engagement and align efforts toward achieving strategic goals.
Strategic Oversight And Core Model Implementation
- Implement and ensure alignment with the SBS core model for indirect tax processes across all countries.
- Propose and lead projects aimed at standardizing, transforming, and automating tax processes, including the adoption of Robotic Process Automation (RPA).
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize workflows and enhance operational efficiency.
- Ensure alignment with the organization's strategic vision and act as a key driver in implementing process improvements.
Compliance And Operational Excellence
- Oversee compliance responsibilities for more complex countries or entities, ensuring all indirect tax filings and reconciliations meet local regulatory requirements.
- Perform hands-on tasks, including preparing, reconciling, and submitting indirect tax returns and journals for high-risk or complex jurisdictions.
- Conduct real-time reviews of indirect tax treatments and transactions to ensure proper tax accounting and compliance.
- Maintain and enhance tax internal controls and governance, ensuring all process guides and documentation are up to date.
- Partner with the business to provide indirect tax advice and address queries related to more intricate tax matters.
Operations For Complex Countries Or Entities
- Take direct responsibility for operational tasks related to complex countries/entities, including preparing MyTax Package Reports, managing tax risk provisions, and resolving SOLAR controls.
- Handle indirect tax audits and serve as the key liaison with tax authorities for the most challenging jurisdictions.
- Prepare and reconcile monthly balance sheet accounts for tax-related general ledger (GL) accounts for these entities.
- Lead pre-close and quarterly tax risk discussions for high-risk jurisdictions.
Indirect Tax Returns
- Conduct real-time reviews of indirect tax treatments for unusual transactions to ensure proper tax accounting.
- Review indirect tax postings in SAP, using RPA or manual processes, and correct errors as needed.
- Prepare, reconcile, and submit indirect tax returns, ensuring compliance with local regulations.
- Process indirect tax journals and reconcile indirect tax ledgers to maintain accurate records.
- Analyze trends in indirect tax returns and provide detailed insights.
Reporting And Risk Management
- Coordinate pre-close discussions to agree on group and local tax treatments in advance.
- Extract and consolidate tax data from SAP and other sources for reporting purposes.
- Prepare and control MyTax files, ensuring accuracy and compliance with tax provisions.
- Finalize and publish MyTax risk packages, resolving any blocking controls.
- Assist with tax audits by providing required documentation, reconciliations, and calculations.
Tax Audit Management
- Provide copies of relevant tax returns, reconciliations, detailed tax calculations, and supporting documentation required by local tax authorities.
Monthly Balance Sheet Reconciliation
- Prepare and maintain monthly reconciliations for tax-related general ledger (GL) accounts.
- Ensure accuracy and resolve discrepancies promptly, adhering to internal controls.
Continuous Improvement And Project Management
- Identify and implement opportunities for process enhancements and operational efficiency, leveraging automation tools and technologies.
- Lead and manage projects assigned to the indirect tax team, ensuring timely delivery and alignment with business objectives.
- Regularly monitor updates to tax legislation and assess their impact on compliance and operational processes, ensuring the team remains proactive in addressing changes.
- Drive customer satisfaction initiatives by building strong relationships with stakeholders and addressing feedback effectively.
About You
Essential Skills and Experience
- Leadership: Proven ability to manage, coach, and inspire a team to achieve results in a collaborative and high-performance environment.
- Tax Expertise: At least 8 years of experience in taxation, with significant exposure to indirect tax compliance, advisory, and operations in complex jurisdictions.
- Analytical Thinking: Strong analytical skills to detect errors, identify risks, and provide actionable recommendations for improvement.
- Operational Excellence: Hands-on experience in managing indirect tax operations, particularly for high-risk or complex entities.
- Process Improvement: Demonstrated ability to identify and implement process enhancements and automation tools.
- Critical Thinking: A detail-oriented, critical thinker who proactively addresses challenges and drives improvements.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage with cross-functional teams and external stakeholders effectively.
- Project Management: Experience in leading and delivering projects, particularly those related to process transformation and compliance improvements.
- Proficiency in MS Excel, including advanced features for data analysis and reconciliation.
- Experience with SAP or equivalent ERP systems is required for managing tax data, reconciliations, and journal entries.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Desirable Skills And Experience
- Background in a Finance Shared Services environment, either captive (in-house) or BPO.
- Familiarity with automation technologies, including RPA and SAP or similar ERP systems.
- Experience in managing indirect tax operations across multiple jurisdictions.
Essential Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree/Professional Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or equivalent.
- Certification in indirect tax (e.g., CITM) is highly advantageous.
Why Join Us
Role
This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to Sanofi's growing Tax and Statutory Reporting Team. This role offers a unique opportunity to:
- Take on a hybrid role that combines leadership with hands-on responsibilities for complex jurisdictions.
- Contribute to an exciting transformation journey centralizing tax activities for the Asia region.
- Gain exposure to diverse tax frameworks and regulations across multiple countries.
- Work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment that values innovation, learning, and professional growth.
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