Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
Currently working in EMEA tax team of a big commodity trading company, my day-to-day work is very broad, from advisory on the tax consequences of new transactions (mergers, spin off, financing structures) to tax compliance (tax returns, Swiss tax forms, rulings..) without forgetting tax audits, transfer pricing reports and tax accounting. My solid accounting background is definitely an asset in my current position. Flexibility, ability to work under pressure and strong technical knowledge are my main qualities.
Reporting to the EMEA Head of tax, my daily tasks can be described as below: Control framework - Implement a tool for tax reporting in Magnitude from tax to local GAAPs to IFRS (for current tax and deferred tax) and deploy it throughout EMEA region (France, Germany, Switzerland, South Africa, Senegal, Egypt, Turkey, UK, Russia, Ukraine). - Train local teams and SSC for using it Tax inspections/tax claims for both direct and indirect taxes - Liaise with tax authorities, prepare the requested documentation, write answers and discuss the points and findings with tax inspections. - Support local teams with inspections in EMEA, attend the meetings with local tax advisors, assess the risks and the needs of provisions and keep track of the open tax inspections Transfer pricing documentation - Prepare transfer pricing documentation and support local teams to put in place appropriate transfer pricing documentation, ensure that the local requirements are met (CbC reports) - Analyse transactions from a transfer pricing point of view (arm's length transactions, appropriate mark up, appropriate interest rates) Swiss Compliance - Review the Swiss tax returns (companies in Geneva and Lucern cantons with various status/regimes, auxiliary, holding) - Ensure the timely filing of the forms, prepare/review Swiss rulings, review and work on thin capitalization issues Advisory - Be a business partner by answering questions from other departments (treasury, controlling, traders..) on tax consequences of new transactions, new flows.., giving advice and suggesting some changes - Analyse the consequences of merger, spin off and transfer of assets
• Swiss and UK statutory compliance I was leading the compliance team, managing 2 people with a direct report to the EMEA Head of Accounting. More specifically: - Preparation/review the Swiss and UK statutory financial statements (15 Swiss companies – amongst which the main operational company of LDC group and large holding companies and 4 UK companies) - Management of the relationship with statutory auditors - Preparation of the Swiss tax returns (Geneva and Luzern tax returns) and review of the UK tax returns (externally prepared) - Managed the tax inspections - both indirect (Swiss VAT) and direct tax (stamp duty, withholding tax) inspections - Reviewed the Swiss VAT returns and ensured that accounting books and VAT returns were reconciled • Structured Trade Finance (STF) Controlling - Prepared monthly figures of the structured trade finance (STF) platform - Analysed the monthly transactions of the STF platform - Prepared the budget for the STF platform
Specialized in Oil & Gas sector/ Swiss CPA - Managed external audits of public and private companies specialized in the commodities trading and oil and gas sector (Trafigura, Puma Energy, Geogas Trading) - Acted as primary team for large audits and reviewed reporting from audit teams located throughout the world and performed field visits in Europe, America and Africa - Managed teams from 3 to 15 people, including IT, actuarial valuation and tax professionals - Audited IFRS and Swiss GAAP consolidated and standalone Swiss CO financial statements (Chopard, Nissan) - Audited IFRS consolidated cash flows statements - Prepared and delivered US GAAP and IFRS reporting to primary teams for public (Polo Ralph Lauren, Universal Tobacco, Adecco, LVMH) and private companies (Trafigura) - Trained colleagues on IFRS and SOX topics - Responded as key contact for PCAOB inspections on US GAAP clients
Prepared monthly reporting in Oracle - PeopleSoft Analyzed variances to budget/prior periods