Job Description

Staff - Non Union

Job Category M&P - AAPS

Job Profile AAPS Salaried - Accounting, Level G

Job Title Tax Manager

Department Treasury Leadership | Treasury | VP Finance and Operations

Compensation Range $9,425.83 - $14,727.42 CAD Monthly

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Posting End Date March 6, 2023

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.

Job End Date Mar 19, 2024

**Please note this position is for a one year term.

Summary

The Tax Manager is a key member of the Treasury leadership team and is responsible for the overall tax compliance rules in the administration of taxation for the University. Accountability includes ensuring charity status is effectively maintained, tax audits and tax accounting matters affecting University operations. This role will be responsible to help develop and recommend the appropriate tax strategy and implement approved workplans across UBC.

This position is a key advisor for the University regarding tax interpretation and application of tax legislation and regulations related to the University of British Columbia, including analysis of the effects of changes or proposed changes in legislation and regulations.

The incumbent provides advice and operational oversight to all levels of finance leaders and stakeholders, including Faculties and Departments across the University on effective taxation interpretation, application and compliance.

As a key resource that works in collaboration and inclusion with the University Community, and directs the oversight of outside consultants on tax matters for overall legal and compliance expertise and monthly filings, this role is responsible for ensuring compliance with the appropriate federal and provincial tax legislation and protection of the University s reputation. The incumbent is responsible for ensuring that transactions, programs and projects/initiatives do not jeopardize the University s Registered Charity status There is a requirement to recommend a strategy with operational objectives and key metrics for tax to align with the Systems Renewal program and operational excellence focus over the next few years.

Organizational Status

This position reports directly to the Director, Treasury or other designated leadership in the VPFO to deliver on the tax compliance mandate as well as engaging in the systems renewal to ensure tax rules are aligned between the systems and processes for the University. This role partners specifically with the Financial Operations and/or Financial Reporting teams to ensure all monthly and annual tax filings are effective, completed accurately and on time. This includes, but not limited to GST, PST, and annual charity information returns for US and Canada.
The Tax Manager works in collaboration and inclusion with the leaders within the UBC community including senior finance personnel in faculties and other administrative functions outside of the VPFO. This position will participate in programs, projects and initiatives with the UBC community to create and sustain proactive tax advice.

Work Performed

-Accountable for recommendation on the tax strategy to implement effective administration and management of tax matters to ensure compliance with tax legislation. The degree of analysis required is significant, with any interpretation of tax law being justifiable.

-Implements systematic changes to ensure that the University is meeting its reporting requirements. Assesses tax implications for on-going transactions, including review of all tax returns to ensure accuracy and compliance. This will include the development of recommendations for changes (purchasing, accounts payable, payroll, tuition and accounting) that ensure compliance with federal and provincial tax laws.

-Develops and recommends strategies to ensure compliance. Actively identifies gaps in performance, and collaborates with senior leaders to create corresponding recommendations to improve accounting procedures and processes.

-Actively identifies cost minimizing revenue enhancing) opportunities for the University, and incorporates processes leading to routine benefit for the organization.
Accountable for ensuring Audits are completed effectively; works with outside consultants to ensure provincial and federal issues are resolved accurately to minimize the risk to UBC s reputation, financial and legal compliance.

-Creates and delivers regular tax workshops to the UBC community to continuously educate stakeholders on tax rules and compliance processes.

-Keeps abreast of best practice tax knowledge of GST, PST, Income Tax (including Charity taxation, employee benefits, etc.) and Excise Tax to ensure compliance with federal, provincial and international tax legislation.

-Partners with outside consultants to ensure advice with changing areas of taxation through legislation, challenges through the courts and changes in the Canada Revenue Agency s (CRA) interpretation of the law is sound for the University

-Oversees the development and documentation procedures with outside consultants for collecting, remitting, claiming rebates and inputting tax credits (GST/HST paid to suppliers).

-Maintains awareness of foreign activity including non-resident scholarships, withholding taxes on services performed in Canada, foreign employee payroll obligations and liaises with oversees advisors as required.

-Proactively engages with the University Community to understand foreign business activity relevant to the tax status of related entities (e.g. Alumni Association, Alma Mater Society, UBC Properties Trust, UBC Foundation) to ensure major capital transactions are structured most appropriately.

-Assists in delivery on other objectives confirmed with the Treasurer.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

The operational objective is to ensure the efficient and effective l accountabilities for administering of tax business activity at the University of British Columbia thereby minimizing risk of penalty to the University.

Incorrect interpretation of taxable status or misinformation provided to stakeholders will likely result in unnecessarily large increases in expenses, or create unnecessarily large liabilities and penalties (that may be identified during future audits).

Enables the university to be tax compliant, which minimizes the risk of potential liabilities for un-remitted taxes and related interest and penalties. Financial consequences of interest and penalties can be significant.

Supervision Received

This position reports to the Director, Treasury or other designated leader as assigned. The Tax Manager is expected to work collaboratively but independently at a high professional level to achieve objectives.

Supervision Given

This position currently gives direction to outside consultants and other internal working groups to ensure Tax rules and compliance processes are sound. As the Tax function evolves, this role will recommend a more operationally effective structure.

Preferred Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline and Completion of an accredited Accounting program (CA, CGA or CMA).Successful completion of the GST in-depth Tax course or equivalent. Minimum of 10 years experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience.Minimum of 10 years experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience.Strong Leadership skills, including an ability to coach and mentor management professionals to be high performing and deliver high quality service in a collaborative and inclusive environment.

Demonstrated business acumen on key tax metrics to ensure programs, projects and initiatives deliver best practice and process skills in tax rules and compliance.
Strong experience in process re-design and risk management.

Proven experience in the interpretation and application of federal and provincial tax requirements in a post-secondary education environment is preferred.

Working knowledge of Financials (General Ledger, Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable processes). Relevant Income tax experience preferred.

Strong system skills - capable of working with financial systems, including being proficient with Web based software tools. Outstanding organization skills are required in order to manage the workflow of information to internal stakeholders.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills to build institutional tax knowledge;

Excellent interpersonal skills to create trusted partnerships with internal clients and external clients, including, but not limited to, CRA, Auditors, external consultants and all levels of management and senior leadership.

Ability to lead self and others in adapting to rapid change and solving complex problems in business needs, processes and technology. Workday experience an asset as part of the responsibility of aligning systems and process for Tax rules and compliance.

The ability to partner with peers to lead, enable and inspire diverse teams and other stakeholders by supporting the VPFO strategic vision and drive the operational excellence story for the future.

University of British Columbia