Title: VAT Accountant
Department: MIOL Finance and Administration Team
Reports to: Tax Compliance Manager


Summary

The Microsoft Ireland Finance team supports the Operations organization in EMEA. We have a “can-do” team of dedicated business professionals providing leadership through world class process execution, and strategic business partnering to deliver analytical insights, sound business decisions, and mitigation of financial risks. This is a great opportunity to develop a career within a dynamic finance team supporting the Microsoft EMEA Operations Center (EOC). Within Microsoft Ireland Finance, the Tax Compliance Team provides tax and decision support to the various operations groups across Microsoft Ireland. This is a perfect challenge for someone with enthusiasm and energy looking to develop their career. Being successful in this position may lead to other opportunities within MS Finance.

The VAT Accountant is part of the Tax compliance function which has primary responsibility for ensuring that Microsoft Ireland Operations Limited (MIOL) manages its tax compliance (VAT, Corporation Tax, Withholding Tax, & Statistical (VIES/ Intrastat) Reporting) and that the accounting for these activities is current and accurate. This includes responsibility for sound underlying financial systems (both in-house and with outsourced vendors) and for the consolidation and analysis of information from multiple data sources. The VAT Accountant is responsible for ensuring VAT and Statistical Reporting compliance across MIOL’s multiple business streams.

The VAT Accountant will have direct responsibility for performing detailed reviews of all VAT compliance work completed by outsourced external vendor team providing guidance to team lead as appropriate.

They will be required to ensure local country VAT requirements are met on ongoing basis by liaising with external Fiscal Reps & tax advisers as appropriate as well as in house consulting team and implementing changes as required to current processes.

The VAT Accountant works within the finance group, as part of the Tax Compliance Group (Tax Compliance Manager plus one other Tax Accountant) but will be expected to work closely with the Corporate based Tax Department and other Tax experts both internal and external to MS, as appropriate.

The VAT Accountant will be expected to interact and liaise with senior management, the Microsoft Tax Department and European VAT Managers, and with external tax consultants and our fiscal representatives to ensure reporting compliance by MIOL

Responsibilities:

The VAT Accountant has responsibility for (as part of the Tax Compliance Group):

VAT
Ensure that MIOL submits accurate & timely VAT returns for all EMEA countries where VAT registered
Ensure that the underlying systems & financial controls generating the VAT information are robust and are VAT compliant
Participate in projects on-boarding new systems/controls as appropriate and/or generally improving structure of VAT Reporting environment within MIOL
Ensure that the MIOL General Ledger VAT balance is properly reconciled to VAT returns submitted
Engage in project work as directed
Work with our Outsourced & Turnkey Partners to ensure they are aware of & meet their VAT reporting responsibilities to MIOL
Become familiar with the relevant local and European VAT reporting requirements, and ensure that the reports submitted are compliant
Work with MIOL’s European Fiscal Representatives ensuring that local country requirements are met:
Manage, with these Fiscal Reps the European VAT registrations necessary to support MIOL’s business
Be a contact point for any support required for audits by taxation authorities in relation to MIOL VAT registrations, collating and providing supporting data and invoices as necessary, and managing audit process, with support/guidance as appropriate from Tax Accountant/Tax Compliance Manager/MS Tax.

Statistical Reporting

Ensure that the underlying systems & financial controls generating the VIES & Intrastat information are robust and are compliant with all the appropriate EU/local legislation
Ensure timely and accurate submission of our VIES & Intrastat reports and address/resolve any requests raised by the responsible tax authorities for additional information.
Engage with projects designed to improve MIOL’s statistical reporting and/or to cope with changing business requirements

Corporation Tax

Calculate and book monthly corporation tax accruals under direction from Tax Compliance Manager
Assist in preparation of Corporation Tax computations and returns for Irish registered tax entities under direction
Other
In conjunction with the other members of the Tax Compliance Group, help manage Communication process (e.g. Metrics, Updates, Business reviews etc) around Tax area to ensure relevant stakeholders are kept informed of developments as appropriate

Essential Requirements

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications/experience:
A minimum of 2-3 years of demonstrated work experience in a multinational organization
An honours degree in Commerce / Business studies or equivalent relevant experience and/or Professional accounting qualification, preferably ACA, CIMA or ACCA,
Experience working in a Taxation Compliance environment is essential.
Ability to work on own initiative & to manage deadlines.
Experience in working on multiple projects across varied business streams with emphasis on communicating, decision making and demonstrated ability to work under pressure.
Strong aptitude for systems; should be familiar with Microsoft applications such as Excel, & Access

Desirable Requirements
Project management skills are desirable.
SAP experience is desirable but not essential

Contact details

• Email: v-stpedz@microsoft.com
• Phone: 01-7064558

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