Manager, Tax

At AstraZeneca, we pride ourselves on crafting a collaborative culture that champions knowledge-sharing, ambitious thinking and innovation – ultimately providing employees with the opportunity to work across teams, functions and even the globe.

Recognizing the importance of individualized flexibility, our ways of working allow employees to balance personal and work commitments while ensuring we continue to create a strong culture of collaboration and teamwork by engaging face-to-face in our offices 3 days a week. Our head office and BlueSky Hub in downtown Toronto are purposely designed with collaboration in mind, providing space where teams can come together to strategize, brainstorm and connect on key projects.

Our dedication to sustainability is also central to our culture and part of what makes AstraZeneca a great place to work. We know the health of people, the planet and our business are interconnected which is why we’re taking ambitious action to tackle some of the biggest challenges of our time, from climate change to access to healthcare and disease prevention.

This role’s responsibilities will focus on a broad range of Canadian tax issues including Direct, Indirect, Transfer Pricing, Excise, Employment & R&D Tax Credits (as applicable) and will also include providing advice and assistance in other areas such as federal & provincial tax audits and income tax provisions.  As the income tax compliance is part of a co-sourcing arrangement with a Big Four accounting firm, the candidate will be responsible for the management and oversight of the tax compliance process to ensure accurate and timely completion of Canadian federal & provincial corporation income tax returns and estimated tax payment obligations.  The candidate will be working closely with the provider to establish agreed upon timelines, and to provide all supporting information/calculations needed to go into the tax returns and return review.  The candidate will also interface with core finance functions including corporate accounting, legal, treasury as well as other functions within the Canadian business. The successful candidate will join an increasingly dynamic and highly visible global tax team and should be prepared for frequent interaction with diverse internal and external stakeholders, operating in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities and many unknowns, while being provided various opportunities to work on complex and cutting-edge issues across multiple jurisdictions.

Responsibilities:

• Coordinate and manage Canadian Federal and provincial tax audits as the principal tax contact.

• Validate and review the related income tax, VAT/PST and SR&ED audit proposals received from CRA and the provinces with the purpose of facilitating the completion of the audits in a timely manner and minimizing the taxes payable.

• Ensure all correspondence with the relevant agencies is properly tracked and documented.

• Review/prepare workpapers, schedules, calculations and other items related to quarterly income tax provisions.

• Ensure any income tax instalment payments, or income tax payments/refunds, including penalties & interest, are appropriate paid and recorded.

• Review reconciliations of income, VAT & deferred tax balance sheet accounts.

• Review & analyze the Canadian statutory financial statements prepared by local finance.

• Assemble & prepare the appropriate data for submission to an external party for preparation & filing of AZ Canada’s annual corporate income tax, R&D Tax Credit & monthly VAT filings (with the assistance of a shared service center resource).

• Assemble, prepare and submit AZ Canada’s withholding tax and PST filings (with the assistance of a shared service center resource).

• Complete mandatory Canadian required R&D reporting including providing R&D information details to the business as needed.

• Tax business partnering for the Canadian business (including input on any financial applications/systems implemented in Canada).

• In conjunction with AZ Group Tax, ensure transfer pricing policies/documentation is current, consistently applied and in compliance with transfer pricing regulations and AZ policy.

• Actively participate in the transfer pricing activities required for the Canadian business.

• In conjunction with AZ Group Tax, monitor & assess the impact of, and respond to, potential Canadian tax changes impacting the Canadian organization or AZ as a whole.

• Work as the main point of contact for local insurance issues (acting as a liaison with AZ Group Insurance and the local brokers).

• Work on any AZ Global tax projects (as needed and as capacity allows).

Requirements:

• Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation.

• Bachelor’s degree.

• Minimum 5 years of experience managing federal & provincial compliance processes in public accounting and/or a large corporate tax department.

• Strong knowledge of the Canadian Income Tax Act and knowledge of the Canadian Excise Tax Act.

• Knowledge of CRA audit procedures.

• Experience with bridging financial data into and across tax systems as well as tax process automation.

• Highly self-motivated, with the ability to work independently and meet critical deadlines.

• Exceptional prioritization, project management, and organizational skills.

• Excellent communication skills including ability to synthesize complex tax matters into simple, concise communication.

• Readiness to work with others and share responsibilities across reporting and functional lines in a global team environment.

• Continuous improvement mindset and motivation to identify and implement key-tax process improvement initiatives.

• Willingness to develop and manage best practices to increase efficiencies and drive results.

• Agility with new technologies

• Knowledge of tax research tools.

• Experience with ERP systems such as SAP preferred, but not required.

Great People want to Work with us! Find out why:

• GTAA Top Employer Award for 10 years
• Top 100 Employers Award
• Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Culture
• Learn more about working with us in Canada
• View our YouTube channel

Are you interested in working at AZ, apply today!

AstraZeneca is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion and providing a workplace that is free from discrimination. AstraZeneca is committed to accommodating persons with disabilities. Such accommodation is available on request in respect of all aspects of the recruitment, assessment and selection process and may be requested by emailing AZCHumanResources@astrazeneca.com.

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorisation and employment eligibility verification requirements.