Tax Accountant

Job Overview

University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) is seeking a highly specialized and strategic Tax Accountant to manage the full spectrum of tax compliance, risk management, and financial reporting for its operations in Rwanda. This critical role demands expert-level knowledge of all relevant Rwandan tax heads (CIT, PAYE, VAT, WHT, Excise Duty), robust experience with the RRA’s transfer pricing regulations, and the technical accounting capability required by IAS 12.

Key Responsibilities

Rwandan Tax Compliance and Management

• Corporate Income Tax (CIT): Lead the preparation and filing of accurate annual CIT returns, managing computations, capital allowances, and liaising with RRA during assessments.
• Indirect Taxes (VAT & Excise): Ensure rigorous compliance with VAT legislation, managing EBM operations, accurate input/output VAT reconciliation, and timely submission of monthly returns. Manage all compliance aspects, computation, and reporting related to applicable excise duties on goods and services.
• Payroll Taxes (PAYE & RSSB): Ensure precise and timely computation and remittance of all payroll-related taxes and social security contributions in accordance with RRA and RSSB requirements.
• Withholding Tax (WHT): Oversee the correct application, deduction, and remittance of all domestic and cross-border WHT obligations, ensuring compliance with relevant double taxation agreements (DTAs) and local law.
• RRA Liaison & Audits: Act as the primary point of contact for the Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA). Prepare comprehensive documentation for all tax audits, resolve disputes, manage queries, and minimize penalty exposure.

Transfer Pricing (TP) Management

• Policy Implementation: Implement and monitor transfer pricing policies in line with RRA regulations and OECD guidelines.
• Documentation: Coordinate the preparation and maintenance of comprehensive local file and master file documentation to robustly support intra-group transactions and defend the company’s arm's length position.
• Risk Management: Identify and mitigate transfer pricing risks, advising management on compliance requirements and potential adjustments.
• Reporting: Ensure all required TP disclosures are accurately made in the annual CIT return process.

Financial Accounting and IAS 12 Reporting

• IAS 12 Application: Execute the requirements of IAS 12 (Income Taxes) within the company's financial reporting framework.
• Deferred Tax Management: Accurately identify, measure, recognize, and account for temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and their tax base. This includes recognizing and measuring deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets including assessments of asset recoverability.
• Current Tax Calculation: Compute the current tax expense/liability for financial reporting purposes, ensuring alignment with local tax law while applying accounting standards.
• Financial Statement Disclosure: Prepare meticulous, transparent, and comprehensive tax-related notes and disclosures for the audited annual financial statements, adhering strictly to IFRS/GAAP standards.
• Reconciliation: Ensure seamless reconciliation between tax filings (tax returns) and the tax figures reported in the audited financial statements.
• Audit Support: Provide comprehensive tax provisions and workings to external auditors during the annual financial audit cycle.

Required Qualifications and Skills

• Education: A Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field is mandatory.
• Possession of a full professional accounting qualification (ACCA, CPA, CFA, or equivalent) is essential.
• Experience: A minimum of 5-7 years of dedicated tax and accounting experience, with significant exposure gained ideally within a globally recognized audit firm or a large multinational corporate environment in Rwanda.

Technical Expertise:

• Expert knowledge of Rwandan Tax Law and RRA procedures is non-negotiable.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience managing transfer pricing compliance and documentation.
• Deep technical mastery of IAS 12 (Income Taxes) and overall IFRS framework.
• Software Proficiency: Proficiency in enterprise-level accounting software and advanced Microsoft Excel skills for financial modeling and data analysis.
• Attributes: Superior analytical skills, exceptional attention to detail, proactive problem-solving ability, and the ability to manage strict reporting deadlines effectively.
• Language: Excellent professional communication skills (written and verbal) in English are required; proficiency in Kinyarwanda or French is a strong asset.

Skills Required:

• Accounting / Finance
• Economics / Statistics