Job description

We have an exciting opportunity for a Tax Reserves Manager to join our Finance team, based in A&O Shearman's Belfast office.

Finance team - Belfast

The Tax Reserves Manager is a member of the Partners' Affairs and Tax (PAT) team supporting the Head of International Tax in the management of the global tax affairs of the A&O Shearman grouping, with a specific focus on the delivery of partners tax reserves.

What you will do

• Develop a detailed understanding of the tax systems of the territories in which A&O Shearman operates in relation to partner tax reserves.
• Set up of tax reserves both in GBP and in currency, for both equity and employee/consultant partners, and subsequent reconciliation and release of residual balances, including review of various tax equalisation arrangements.
• Coordination of work done by UK and international tax teams to obtain a consolidated view of partners overall tax reserves positions as part of ongoing reserves reconciliation and releases processes.
• Ongoing review of existing processes to ensure that they continue to be appropriate (e.g. to reflect impacts of business change transactions and external legislative developments), and to identify opportunities to improve these.
• Play a leading role in determining and putting in place appropriate processes for reconciling partner tax reserves for new offices and ensuring that these are maintained going forward.
• Support year-end work to deliver tax reserves calculations, tax equalisation calculations and relevant tax disclosures.
• Ensuring that positions taken in relation to partner tax reserves are correctly reflected in relevant accounting systems.
• Reconciliation and ongoing maintenance of deferred tax control accounts.
• Build awareness of technology solutions (including use of AI and automation) that could generate efficiencies in the tax reserving process and propose recommendations on how these could be implemented.
• Communications with partners, CFOs and other stakeholders in relation to tax reserving matters.
• Liaising with external advisors where required.
• Coordinate and support the work of junior team members in London and Belfast.

What you will have

• Strong General Ledger accounting skills.
• Evidence of strong numeric skills.
• ACA or equivalent accounting qualification.
• Tax qualification (e.g. ADIT or CTA) desirable.
• Personal or Corporate Tax Experience to Manager level.
• Collaborative approach and ability to build strong relationships with PAT team colleagues, as well as colleagues in other teams located across the globe.
• Ability to effectively communicate complex tax and accounting issues both orally and in writing to non-specialists.
• Strong analytical skills and an eye for detail.
• Broad knowledge of tax issues affecting partners in professional partnerships would be helpful but is not a pre-requisite.

What we can offer you
We recognise that our people are our most valuable asset, which is reflected in the wide range of benefits that are available to our employees. Some of these benefits include: our occupational pension scheme, group income protection cover, mental health resources and free apps, health and wellbeing services encompassing GP service, emergency back-up care support, parental and special leave, online discounts and lifestyle management services.

We recognise the value of flexible working and embrace hybrid working, allowing our people to work from home up to 40% of their working time. We do, however, remain committed to working together in person for the remaining 60% of time so that we can learn, grow and succeed together.

Should you require additional support at any stage of the recruitment process due to a disability or a health condition, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our recruitment team who will work with you to provide any adjustments as required.

We are an equal opportunities recruiter and do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other protected characteristic.


NO AGENCIES PLEASE - A&O Shearman does not accept unsolicited CVs. For further information, please see our UK Recruitment Agency Policy and our commitment to direct sourcing Role level: Manager