Careers

Indirect Tax Specialist – Pfizer

Job posted date: 23 May 2023

Job location: Dublin

About the role: This role is an internal VAT compliance and consulting role working as part of a large team of internal VAT colleagues within the European Shared Services Centre at Pfizer GBS Dublin.,/p>

Our Company: Pfizer is one of Ireland’s leading employers and the largest pharmaceutical sector investor and employer. Pfizer has over 4,000 colleagues across 6 locations based in Cork, Dublin and Kildare, including approx. 500 colleagues located in Pfizer’s Global Business Services Group (GBS Dublin) in Ringsend in Dublin. In Pfizer our purpose is to bring breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. As colleagues here in Finance we play a critical role in making that happen.

What We Offer: This will be a permanent position with a competitive salary. We have recently refurbished our building in the Watermarque, Ringsend. We are conveniently located a short walk from grand canal dart station with multiple bus services running outside the building. For those who can cycle to work, we support the bike to work scheme and provide shower facilities and bike racks for colleagues

The Site: Pfizer Global Business Services (GBS) supports the Pfizer mission by providing Best In Class financial services to global R&D, Manufacturing and Commercial operations. Pfizer GBS Dublin was established in 2003 with a strong focus on compliance, cost and process efficiency, using the model of centralise, standardise and optimise. Pfizer GBS Dublin now operates a knowledge-based Controllership Model providing end-to-end financial accounting services, compliance oversight, and business transformation support to 150 markets for Pfizer globally.

We are part of a network of 1,500 global GBS colleagues. Today we are the largest Strategic Financial Shared Services Centre in Ireland and one of Ireland’s leading employers of colleagues from the accounting, taxation and treasury professions. We operate as an in-house accounting firm, aligning technical expertise and operational excellence, with a deep understanding of Pfizer’s business model and the Pharma industry.

Our Culture: The best thing about working in GBS is the great people that we get to collaborate with each day and a culture where we all encourage each other to do well. When something does not go quite according to plan, we don’t look for someone to blame. We think about how we can improve the process and to avoid similar issues re-occurring in the future.

Work Life Integration: What we do here is important and as we work hard for our patients and there may be times when we need to work late to accomplish an important task; However, we fully respect that everyone has a personal life outside of Pfizer and we are committed to work life integration, ensuring that colleagues are free to enjoy their own time with their friends and family.

Diversity & Inclusion: Colleagues are encouraged to bring their whole self to work. We recognise the value of diversity and the site hosts near to 40 nationalities currently. Pfizer Global Business Services is passionate about building a diverse work environment where all employees feel respected in their uniqueness. We are proud of our ongoing efforts to foster diversity & inclusion to ensure all colleagues have the freedom to be who they are and to bring their whole self to work. Together, we continue to build a culture that encourages, supports and empowers our employees.

Key Areas of Responsibility for an Indirect Tax Specialist

People

• Manage the workload of the VAT Analysts that report directly to you.
• Ensure regular 1 to 1 meetings take place (document relevant matters to VAT Leadership)
• Assist the Analyst with the preparation of Individual Goals each Semester
• Complete mid-year and end of year reviews in an appropriate timeframe (based on guidance from the Indirect Tax Manager and HR)
• Act as a mentor in assisting and developing the VAT knowledge and expertise of the VAT Analyst
• Assist and engage the Analyst in new and relevant local and international VAT updates
• Provide training to the GBS VAT team and other GBS and local market teams involved making VAT relevant decisions
• Manage timesheets process for contracted staff, where applicable
• Assist in interview process of new recruits, when requested

Process

• Ensure accurate and timely completion and filing of VAT returns by reviewing and approving all compliance work (VAT returns, EC Sales lists, intrastat, annual returns, Withholding returns, and any other ad hoc returns where applicable) of the Indirect Tax Analyst.
• Ensure the VAT Analyst makes all payments in a timely manner
• Ensure the relevant VAT Team controls are completed in a timely manner each month
• Oversee the Tax process to identify follow- up and resolve any errors or exceptions
• Follow up on outstanding repayments/refund applications in a timely manner
• Provide comment/suggestions on process/system efficiencies that might be adopted to improve the processes in GBS VAT
• Involvement and initiation of projects on above process/system efficiencies
• Manage the resolution of reconciling items assigned to you on the Issue Resolution Log

Manage Risk

• Elevate to VAT Leadership issues/errors of a systemic or financially material nature
• Manage errors and exceptions to minimize the impact on financial results and avoid non-compliance penalties with Tax Authorities
• Ensure all Tax Audits/Queries are registered and filed in the share drive under the appropriate folder and using the appropriate naming convention
• Manage all Tax Audits/Queries in a professional, timely and efficient manner whilst ensuring that, where appropriate, local Tax expertise is consulted
• Provide audit support to the Pfizer business units when requested

Consultancy

• Provide Pfizer business units, GBS departments and GBS VAT colleagues with accurate and practical VAT advice, as and when required, across the above mentioned countries;
• Support the Global Head of Indirect Tax in terms of any initiatives and requests
• Develop Market relationships by providing accurate and relevant VAT advice thereby centralising consultancy across GBS Dublin
• Oversee new VAT registrations and provide advice in respect of new business set ups; ensure the SAP/Oracle team are aware of the changes as soon as you are notified of the request for a new VAT registration

Systems

• Ensure all relevant VAT changes affecting your territories are considered in terms of system impact (e.g. SAP, Global VAT Reporting Tool (GVRT)) and that the information is communicated and documented to the appropriate contact for update
• Ensure all ad hoc reporting and information tools are available as required by GBS Indirect Tax or the markets (e.g. Tax audits)

General

• Demonstrate an adaptability and openness to change, whether it be in objectives, roles, procedures. Demonstrate flexibility in working roles, to allow assistance to other colleagues in busy periods, by proactively making themselves available to support others

Qualifications

• Minimum 3-5 years VAT experience
• Extensive knowledge of existing and proposed VAT legislation to provide detailed advice to management on specific transactions
• Experience in a Big 4 Indirect tax practice or a multinational commercial organisation and/or Specialist experience in Indirect Tax an advantage
• A recognized professional tax qualification (e.g. AITI, AIIT) and/or significant post qualified experience an advantage
• SAP experience an advantage
• European languages an advantage
• Effective communicator with excellent interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently, to work under pressure and to handle several projects at once

Pfizer Values & Behaviours

• Courage: This happens when we think big, speak up, and are decisive.
• Excellence: This happens when we focus on what matters, agree who does what, and measure outcomes.
• Equity: This happens when we are inclusive, act with integrity, and reduce healthcare disparities.
• Joy: We find joy when we take pride, recognize one another, and have fun.

Please apply via the application page.