The British Council builds connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and other countries through arts and culture, education and the English language. We work in two ways – directly with individuals to transform their lives, and with governments and partners to make a bigger difference for the longer term, creating benefit for millions of people all over the world. We help young people to gain the skills, confidence and connections they are looking for to realise their potential and to participate in strong and inclusive communities. We support them to learn English, to get a high-quality education and to gain internationally recognised qualifications. Our work in arts and culture stimulates creative expression and exchange and nurtures creative enterprise. We connect the best of the UK with the world and the best of the world with the UK. These connections lead to an understanding of each other’s strengths and of the challenges and values that we share. This builds trust between people in the UK and other nations which endures even when official relations may be strained. We work on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 2019-20 we connected with 80 million people directly and with 791 million overall, including online and through our broadcasts and publications.

Contract Duration: Indefinite
Location: Tunis, Tunisia
Pay Band G/6
Salary: 2745 TND/month + medical insurance

Closing date: 19 August 2021

Role Purpose

The Senior Tax Accountant will be responsible for ensuring operational compliance with the local legislation governing Tax in Tunisia. 

The post holder is responsible for preparing timely Tax returns, in line with legal requirements for filing, along with all related analysis, reconciliations, and, where required, language translation.

He/She is also responsible for organizing and maintaining books and records as required under local legislation, and for supporting any inspections and audits

Where necessary, the post holder will meet tax authorities. 

He/She will also be the primary point of contact for operational queries and issues of local team in Tunisia.

Main Opportunities

• The local legislation may have grey areas where there is a requirement of best judgement. Any view before application must be discussed with MENA Tax Manager and if required with Global Tax Team and external tax advisors.
• Awareness of all local tax law, regulations, updates and any other tax related documents issued by the Tunisia Tax Authority. 
• The post will regularly require occasional unsocial hours, flexible working, occasional weekend working and occasional travel.

Main Accountabilities

Tax Compliance

• Preparation and filing the Tax return (VAT, CIT, WHT, Stamp Duty and any other applicable taxes) in a timely manner in line with the requirements of local legislation. Ensuring the Tax return is approved internally ahead of filing
• Assisting with system testing associated with Tax related changes 
• Ensuring systems are tax compliant
• Monitoring Tax calendar, including all tax payments, to ensure compliance with tax authority’s deadlines
• Preparation of compliance checklist covering statutory compliances that needs to be followed by British Council 
• Preparation of VAT balance sheet reconciliations by set datelines
• Monitoring of VAT queries, ensuring prompt response to all issues within strict timeframe

Tax Advisory

• Advisory on queries related to taxation issues
• Advisory on tax related system changes
• Advisory on process related changes brought in by amendment or introduction of tax laws
• Analysis of the information reported to the auhorities and identify any possible risks which BC can face in future

Meeting with Stake Holders

• Conducting regular meetings with various stakeholders to understand the processes and check if there are any gaps in the same due to introduction or amendment in tax laws
• Keeping the stakeholders updated with the amendments in tax laws
• Documentation Review – Procurement and Sales
• Review of invoices in terms of compliance with the requirement of tax laws
• Reconciliation of the purchase/sale register viz-a-viz returns
• Review of recent updates in taxation
• Review of any clarification or communication issued by the authorities with respect to its applicability on BC operations
• Sending out correspondence to the concerned stakeholders regarding the updates affecting BC operations
• Implementing the changes brought in the systems and processes due to the tax updates and suggesting changes to comply with the same

Tax Audit

• Ensuring all necessary documents are stored as required by the local legislation, including supporting statements around areas of judgement that have been taken. Ensuring approvals which have been given internally. 
• Supporting any Tax audit process and ensuring all necessary documentation is made  available
• Providing the tax inspector with the appropriate documents and analysis needed for the inspection process
• Support MENA Tax Manager/Global Tax Team with the preparation of communications to be sent to the tax authorities

Qualification & Experience

• Bachelor Degree in Finance or relevant field
• Masters Degree or Professional qualification in Finance/Tax
• Fluency in English, French and Arabic is essential 
• Minimum 2 years work experience in Tax Accounting/Management
• Experience working in Tax consultancy firm and have SAP experience  

A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world.

Equality Statement

The British Council is committed to a policy of equality and to valuing diversity and is keen to reflect the diversity of the societies in which we work at every level within the organisation. We welcome applications from all sections of the community. We aim to abide by and promote equality legislation by following both the letter and the spirit of it to avoid unjustified discrimination, recognising discrimination as a barrier to equality of opportunity, inclusion and human rights. All staff worldwide are required to ensure their behaviour is consistent with our policies. 
The British Council has Disability Confident Employer Status. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role. Applicants are encouraged to highlight any specific requirements or adjustments needed to enable participation in the recruitment process.

The British Council is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults who we work with.

We believe that all children and adults everywhere in the world deserve to live in safe environments and have the right to be protected from all forms of abuse, maltreatment and exploitation as set out in article 19, UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) 1989.

Appointment to positions where there is direct involvement with vulnerable groups will be dependent on thorough checks being completed; these will include qualification checks, reference checks, identity & criminal record checks in line with legal requirements and with the British Council’s Safeguarding policies for Adults and Children.

  If you have any problems with your application please email