Tax Audit Specialist for the Agro-Processing Sector At African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF)

Position : Tax Audit Specialist for the Agro-Processing SectorThe African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) has received financing from the African Development Fund toward the cost of the Regional Institutional Support Project for Public Financial Governance – Phase II (RISPFG) and intends to apply part of the agreed amount for this Grant to payments under the contract for Tax Audit Specialist for the Agro-Processing Sector – Zimbabwe.

The services included under this project are:  

• Developing and delivering learning products for tax auditors to increase their understanding of the steps involved in conducting a tax audit of the agro- processing sector including the sub-sectors listed above;
• The expert is expected to share audit good practices to put in place in order to foster tax compliance of taxpayers operating in the sector;
• Providing audit skills and techniques on how to detect incomplete and inaccurate tax declarations submitted by taxpayers operating in the sector.

Required profile for job ad : Tax Audit Specialist for the Agro-Processing SectorThe Individual expert is expected to have among others the following qualifications and key competencies:

• A Bachelors’ Degree or professional qualification in applied taxation, accountancy, auditing, fiscal studies, economics or any other relevant degree related to the field.
• A master’s degree will be an added advantage.
• Have a good understand and have the ability to evaluate the Agro processing tax regime from a tax audit perspective including the taxes payable, the activities, actors, tax incentives, domestic tax issues;
• A minimum of seven (7) years of working experience as tax auditor or tax advisor or tax accountant in Agro processing, or any other relevant areas in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Demonstrate an experience in developing the technical capacity including strong mentoring/ coaching/training skills;
• Have a good understanding of audit processes and techniques in:
• performing tax audits,
• in reviewing a file and planning an audit,
• in auditing financial books and records; and
• compiling audit report and preparing quality tax assessments.
• Have a good level of understanding and interpretation of tax legislation as well as the sectors regulatory framework.
• Possess a proven experience in the examination of a taxpayer’s financial statements, tax returns, accounting records and source documents in order to identify areas of high risk or non-compliance and determine the required tax adjustment to make and calculate the correct amount of tax to be paid by the taxpayer;
• Master the sector specifics, the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) or International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as well as the examination process and procedure and the types of checks in order to determine the correct tax liability;
• Possess knowledge in audit tools for data interrogation and fraud detection would be an added value;
• A sound understanding of Agro processing sector, particularly in Zimbabwe would be valued;
•    Ability to provide both theoretical (60%) and practical (40%) training;
• The consultant is also expected to participate in ad hoc external meetings as requested by the Technical Assistance Manager.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with peers and colleagues from a wide range of professional and cultural backgrounds;
• The consultant should relish working in a team, should be innovative, energetic, positive, and genuinely committed to achieving lasting change. He/she should have the ability to work effectively in politically sensitive and challenging environments;
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including fluency in English.

Added advantages:

• Excellent strategic and analytical skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Proven ability to work in a collaborative team environment.