Tax Specialist (Indirect Taxes)

Responsible for ensuring full compliance with all indirect tax obligations and statutory reporting requirements of the Company. The role oversees the preparation, review, reconciliation, and submission of VAT, Excise Duty, Withholding Tax, and Duty Remission Scheme (DRS) filings, while supporting tax audits, regulatory engagements, tax planning initiatives, and business advisory activities. The position serves as a key liaison with the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and other regulatory bodies to ensure compliance, minimize tax risks, and enhance tax governance.

Main accountabilities of the Tax Specialist will include: -

Tax Compliance & Reporting

• Prepare, review, and submit monthly VAT, Excise Duty, and Withholding Tax returns within statutory deadlines.
  
• Ensure completeness, accuracy, and proper documentation of all tax filings.
  
• Support VAT refund applications and follow up with relevant authorities.
  
• Maintain compliance with all applicable tax laws, regulations, and reporting requirements.
  

Duty Remission Scheme (DRS) Management

• Manage Duty Remission Scheme applications, renewals, gazettement processes, and approvals.
  
• Monitor remission utilization limits and reconcile raw material consumption against approved allocations.
  
• Maintain records and reports demonstrating compliance with DRS requirements.
  

Tax Reconciliations & Controls

•  Perform monthly reconciliations of VAT, Excise Duty, and Withholding Tax accounts.
  
• Review tax treatments and transaction coding within Oracle ERP.
  
• Identify, investigate, and resolve tax-related discrepancies.
  
• Maintain effective tax controls and compliance procedures.
  

Regulatory & Audit Management

• Act as the primary liaison with KRA and other regulatory authorities.
  
• Coordinate responses to tax assessments, notices, and information requests.
  
• Lead preparation for tax audits and investigations.
  
• Support resolution of audit findings and implementation of corrective actions.
  

Tax Advisory & Business Support

• Monitor tax law changes, Finance Acts, and regulatory updates.
  
• Assess business impacts of legislative changes and recommend appropriate actions.
  
• Provide tax guidance to management and cross-functional teams.
  
• Participate in finance transformation, automation, and tax optimization initiatives.
  

Requirements

The ideal candidates should meet the following requirements: -

•    Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, taxation, or a related discipline with minimum a Second Class Upper.
•    CPA (K), ACCA, or equivalent professional qualification.
•    Minimum five (5) years' post-qualification experience in taxation, preferably within a large FMCG, agriculture, manufacturing, or multinational organization.
•    Strong knowledge of Kenyan tax legislation, including VAT, Excise Duty, Customs, Duty Remission Schemes, and Withholding Tax.
•    Experience managing tax audits and regulatory engagements.
•    Proficiency in Oracle ERP and Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.

ADDITIONAL ATTRIBUTES:

•    Ownership & Accountability
•    Integrity & Ethics
•    Analytical Thinking
•    Attention to Detail
•    Communication & Influencing Skills
•    Stakeholder Management
•    Continuous Improvement
•    Business Partnership
•    Strategic Thinking