For more than 85 years, Caterpillar has been building the world’s infrastructure and, in partnership with our network of Cat® dealers worldwide, has helped drive positive and sustainable change on every continent. We are a global company, with hundreds of locations worldwide to serve and support our customer base and respond quickly to their needs.
This exciting opportunity will provide the successful applicant with exposure to a global business with a diverse portfolio of businesses and an eclectic mix of products and services.
This opportunity also provides flexible working arrangement.
ROLE PURPOSE AND OVERVIEW:
Caterpillar’s Global Indirect Tax Team is seeking to recruit an Indirect Tax Senior Manager for Asia-Pacific region. This position is part of the Indirect Tax Advisory Team, which together with Systems and Technology Team, form the Global Indirect Tax Team of 20+ specialists located in all regions.
The purpose of this role is to provide Indirect tax support for Caterpillar entities’ operations in Asia-Pacific (outside of Singapore and Australia), to minimize the risk of Indirect tax being accounted for incorrectly and to minimize the enterprise Indirect tax costs. This will be accomplished by providing Indirect tax advice and support, managing VAT planning, government representation and engagement with outside advisors and by supporting the businesses in the operation of the Global VAT Controls.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
The successful candidate will manage Indirect tax matters of Caterpillar entities in Asia-Pacific region (except Singapore and Australia) and will be responsible for:
- Working with Business Managers, operations personnel, Legal Services Division, Corporate Accounting, Corporate Treasury, outside counsels, government officials, Global Tax Direct and other Indirect tax managers to ensure that Caterpillar entities’ existing and future operations in APAC are structured and operated in an efficient manner with regards to Indirect tax, taking into account business and operational needs and concerns.
- Representing Caterpillar, in co-operation with local management, advisors, Global Tax Direct and Indirect Tax Managers in all matters dealing with fiscal authorities relating to Indirect tax. This includes managing responses to all government requests, managing government auditors during visits to Caterpillar facilities, managing the representing Caterpillar entities at official government hearings, and managing Indirect tax litigation.
- Determining when outside advisors can add value, choosing the appropriate outside advisor, determining the fee arrangements, and managing the workflow, relationship and cost/value equation.
- Working with the Indirect tax Technology Team to ensure that the accounting and reporting systems used are configured correctly and deliver Caterpillar’s 3 Key Indirect tax Compliance Requirements of: (i) correct Indirect tax decision making; (ii) compliant documentation; and (iii) complete and accurate reporting.
- Advising the Indirect tax Accounting teams in their Indirect tax compliance processes for the Caterpillar entities in APAC.
- Supporting Caterpillar APAC entities in implementing the Global Indirect tax Control Processes and completing the Validation Workbooks, and providing continuing support.
KEY RELATIONSHIPS:
The APAC Indirect Tax Senior Manager will work directly with other members of the Global Tax Team, Caterpillar Business Managers, Logistics, Legal Services, Finance, Corporate Accounting, Corporate Treasury, Global Tax and Indirect Tax and Trade Compliance Managers, Shared Service Centers, as well as with outside counsels and government officials.
KEY COMPETENCIES:
- A strong Indirect tax mindset and a good understanding of Indirect tax principles applicable in APAC countries, including particularly China.
- Excellent communication skills, as dealing with senior business personnel and tax authorities around the world will be expected.
SKILLS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
Essential:
- A successful minimum 10-year experience dealing with indirect tax matters, namely with international cross-border indirect tax matters, preferably with a Big 4/Law firm and/or an international group of companies.
- A Law, Business, Finance or Tax degree.
- Fluency in English, both oral and written.
- Good understanding of VAT principles and processes.
- Ability to:
o identify and analyze the information needed to accomplish complex technical analysis, to use this information to perform Indirect tax technical analysis and to provide business recommendations.
o evaluate the consequences of Indirect law changes as they relate to Caterpillar’s businesses.
o identify solutions to manage any Indirect tax risks faced by Caterpillar’ entities in APAC.
o collaborate with multi-functional teams to deliver appropriate indirect tax advices and solutions.
o have an enterprise view when resolving issues or completing projects.
o explain complex issues to key business partners.
o liaise with Caterpillar’s businesses to understand current and planned transaction flows.
o manage relationships with and gain the trust of Caterpillar staff at all levels, namely direct report(s) and other teams within Caterpillar.
o manage relationships with external advisors and tax authorities.
- High sense of initiative and leadership, ability to work independently.
- Ability to collaborate and building partnerships with multi-functional teams to deliver appropriate indirect tax advice and solutions.
- Conduct complex research and/or technical analysis on Indirect Tax.
Desirable:
- Other languages, in particular Mandarin, are an added strength.
- Proven record of success and commitment to quality.
- Strong analytical and process improvement skills.
- A good knowledge of accounting practices and information technology systems.
