Tax Manager

Job Summary

Square Enix is a leading publisher of entertainment content, known for iconic franchises such as Final Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts, Dragon Quest, NieR, Life is Strange, and Just Cause. Our mission is to create and deliver experiences that resonate deeply with the hearts and minds of our players.

Responsible for the Company’s corporate tax compliance. This role leads tax advisory across business segments and maintains complete and appropriate records to support reporting requirements and respond to tax enquiries, queries and audits, whilst maintaining a robust control environment.

Roles, Responsibilities, and KPIs

Tax Advisory & Projects

• Identifying tax risks and opportunities arising in the business and proposing and implementing solutions (e.g., permanent establishment risk, transfer pricing risk)
• Leading on tax advisory elements of group projects including group restructuring, transfer pricing transformation and intercompany debt rationalization in collaboration with the group tax team
• Managing APA and transfer pricing compliance and documentation
• Providing VAT tax technical advice where there are business changes – for example on new webstore arrangements
• Advising on cross-border VAT/customs duty to the Operations Department
• Providing employer tax advice as required, in particular in relation to internationally mobile employees
• Review of contracts and legal documentation for tax implications as required
• Co-ordinating the implementation of group projects (e.g., dormant companies elimination)
• Reviewing and communicating the impact of changes in the tax law and potential opportunities and risks (e.g. new R&D reliefs, changes in tax rates)

Tax Accounting and Reporting

• Quarterly group tax reporting including preparation of the UK tax packs, preparation and review of the overseas tax packs and tax consolidation
• Analysis of UK and group deferred tax provisions, including analysis of forecast business performance to maximise recognition of deferred tax assets
• Analysis of corporate interest restrictions, uncertain tax provisions & calculation of transfer pricing adjustments
• Leading on tax matters as they impact the quarterly and annual external audit
• Monitoring effective tax rate, and identifying strategies to normalise ETR where possible
• Preparing reports for Japan head office (e.g., APA calculation, reconciling impact of any tax adjustments on ETR)
• Preparation and review of the tax notes to the accounts in the UK statutory financial statements

Tax compliance

• Make IR35 status determinations for contractors working in the business
• Ensure compliance with employment tax areas including completion of the PAYE Settlement Agreement, operation of share schemes, employee relocations and review of short-term business visitor arrangements
• Ensure compliance with Senior Accounting Officer regime and maintain appropriate documentation to evidence compliance

Other

• Responsibility for tax budgeting and co-ordinating the work of external advisers
• Corporate tax filing for UK companies

Requirements:
Essential

Knowledge & Experience

• CTA qualified or equivalent
• Well-rounded knowledge and experience in VAT, corporate tax and transfer pricing
• Experience of cross border and international transactions/issues

Competencies, Skills & Attributes

• Excel proficiency
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships across the business with colleagues of all levels
• Ability to deliver accurately and within tight deadlines, with a high level of proactiveness

Desirable

Knowledge & Experience

• ADIT qualified or equivalent
• Particular experience in VAT
• Experience in employment tax
• Previous tax compliance and advisory experience in a top 10 accounting firm

Competencies, Skills & Attributes

• Tax calculation software (Onesource Corporate Tax and iXBRL tagging software skills or equivalent)
• Experience of managing a team of tax professionals
• Previous experience on Unit 4 ERP, SAP or similar ERP software

Purpose & Values

• Purpose: Creating New Worlds with Boundless Imagination to Enhance People’s Lives.
• Values:
• Deliver Unforgettable Experiences
• Embrace Challenges
• Act Swiftly
• Stronger Together
• Continuously Evolve
• Cultivate Integrity