Our tax practice revolves around helping our clients effectively manage their tax obligations proactively and responsibly. As part of a global team of 35,000 tax professionals in 150 countries, you will advise clients on planning, compliance and reporting wherever the client has needs. Our unwavering commitment to quality service and our technical networks enable you to help clients reduce inefficiencies, mitigate risk and improve opportunities within their tax functions. Groups (or, as we call them – sub-service lines) within Tax include Business Tax Services, Global Compliance and Reporting, Indirect Tax Services, EY Private, People Advisory Services and International Tax & Transaction Tax Services.

EY Private Tax shapes and delivers the part of business strategy that provides tax solutions to high net-worth individuals (HNWI), Family Offices and Private Investors. We focus on engagements that relate to HNWI (including their trusts and privately held companies), personal and family local and international tax structuring.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Significant experience specialising in tax compliance and advisory for high-value clients.
• Managed a range of both corporate and private clients, including High Net Worth Individuals, VIPs, Directors and C-Suite executives.
• Previous experience at Big Four (PwC, EY, Deloitte, KPMG) or boutique tax advisory firms.
• Strong ability to analyze investment statements, tax returns, and financial instruments.
• Strong understanding of tax legislation (including Trust law), tax compliance, and risk management.
• Proven ability to deliver accurate results under short time-constraints, whilst building trust with clients.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in key client relationships to provide advice and support the client in their personal and international tax affairs.
• Drafting opinions relating to HNWI’s, personal tax, employees’ tax, international tax matters and exchange control matters, specific to local South African and cross border matters
• Liaise directly with partners and wider team, VIP clients, and external advisors to deliver tailored tax solutions.
• Assist in identifying new business opportunities – with a focus on identifying opportunities for other business units and wider international tax and personal tax planning services.
• Identify potential new clients and overall growth of the national HNWI, personal, and international tax structuring business.
• Assist partner with financial and risk portfolio management including client risk on-boarding assessments, WIP management, billing and cash collection
• Research, read and interpret applicable legislation in order to appropriately draft advice to clients on various personal, employees’ tax and international tax issues
• Promote and live the team values
• Present technical training topics, and to train and mentor junior staff on best practices and client management.
• Good report writing ability, presentation skills and excellent communication skills.
• Computer literate: a good working knowledge of Word and Excel and Powerpoint.
• Manage and oversee client deliverables deadlines.
• Motivated and driven, ability to work on your own and be a team player.
• Ideally this candidate will, in addition to technical skills in personal and international taxes, have energy, enthusiasm and drive to grow a long-term career in our business.

Qualifications & Experience

• Tax attorney/accountant with preferably 3-5 years in a tax consulting environment.
• Honours degree in Accounting, Law, or Finance (MCom/MLLB Tax preferred).
• Minimum 5–7 years post-qualification experience, including at least 3 years post-articles.
• Experience at a Big Four or boutique tax compliance/advisory firm.

Required Skills & Attributes

• Exceptional analytical skills, especially with investment and tax statements
• Strong interpersonal and client relationship management abilities.
• Ability to thrive under pressure and manage competing priorities.

Desirable Extras

• Recognized for process innovation or client service excellence.
• Published thought leadership or presentations on tax compliance topics.
• Has proven prior experience in advising Family Offices, or has worked in Family Offices, or has worked in financial institutions offering Private Wealth services.