Tax Analyst

Job Summary

The Tax Analyst will be responsible for indirect tax compliance at UBC and for maintaining the accuracy of tax transactions and integrations in Workday. Tax calculations are performed outside of Workday, and must be re-integrated back into Workday. The Tax Analyst will support the completeness and accuracy of this process. This role will play a significant role in teaming with the Director, Treasury and other Finance leaders in guiding the University in the correct application and filling of GST, PST, withholding taxes, other provincial indirect tax returns (such as MRDT, taxes and charges administrated by Translink and QST), and annual charity information returns for US and Canada, with a key focus on the mitigation of tax risk to the University. Specifically, the Tax Analyst will work to identify overpaid/underpaid taxes and will ensure that the University is meeting its indirect tax reporting deadlines.

Tax compliance is a technical process, involving the application of tax laws and regulations to the University’s diverse set of operations. Indirect tax in particular is challenging for the University versus a typical for-profit corporation, given the interplay between exempt and commercial activity at the University. This leads to an onerous set of rules governing when to collect tax, when to self-assess tax and how to claim rebates and input tax credits. The Tax Analyst is a key role at the University to ensure the University is in compliance with tax laws and regulations and, under the direction of the Director, Treasury, ensures the appropriate advice has been provided to the University’s stakeholders.

Organizational Status

This position reports directly to the Director, Treasury to deliver on the tax compliance mandate as well as the Integrated Renewal Program, to ensure tax rules are aligned between the systems and processes for the University. This role partners with the university’s finance community, mainly with Financial Operations and Financial Reporting teams, to ensure all monthly and annual tax filings are filed completely, accurately, and timely. This includes but is not limited to GST, PST, withholding taxes, other provincial indirect tax returns, and annual charity information returns for US and Canada. The Tax Analyst works in collaboration and inclusion with internal stakeholders, including senior finance personnel in faculties and other administrative functions outside of the VPFO. The Tax Analyst will participate in programs, projects, and initiatives with the UBC community to create and sustain proactive tax advice.

Work Performed

1. Tax Compliance: supporting the Director, Treasury on mitigating the University’s tax risk through management of the indirect tax compliance process by:

• preparing monthly GST and PST returns

• preparing other provincial indirect tax returns, such as MRDT, taxes and charges administrated by Translink and QST

• preparing non-resident tax returns (T4A-NR and NR4)

• preparing 3-way reconciliation of tax GLs, to filed returns, to CRA and Ministry of Finance balances

• maintaining Input Tax Credit (ITC) rate table, and assists internal stakeholders in assessing levels of commercial activity

• liaising with external advisors regarding Public Service Body (PSB) rebates and Input Tax Credit (ITC) claims

• providing support during tax audits, gathering information and data from units

2. Tax Planning & Review: be responsible for optimizing the University’s tax preparing and filing process by:

• providing accounting guidance to internal stakeholders on transactions involving GST

• liaising with external advisors in annual GST/PST recovery review

• gathering and performing data analysis to review tax integrations in Workday, preparing corrective journals where necessary

• supporting departments in their tax form reporting requirements (XML and BIRT formats)

• helping to develop and improve departmental tax processes at the University

3. Research and interpretation of tax legislations: be responsible for conducting research and/or interpretation on relevant tax legislations by:

• assisting in research and analysis as required for advisory matters and tax projects

• drafting memos of those advisory matters and tax projects

4. Other:

• Support other ad-hoc tasks within Treasury

Consequences of Error/Judgement

The tax function at UBC is to ensure efficient and effective accountabilities for administering the tax business activity, thereby minimizing risk of penalty to the University. Incorrect interpretation of taxable status or misinformation provided to stakeholders will likely result in unnecessarily large increases in expenses, or create unnecessarily large liabilities and penalties (that may be identified for future audits).

Supervision Received

Reports to the Director, Treasury.

Supervision Given

None.

Minimum Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Enrolled in the CPA Professional Education Program (PEP) modules. Minimum of three years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own
- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• Preferred experience from large/complex accounting firms, higher education, government, health care or related industry role, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Ability to effectively and efficiently work with spreadsheet and database software.

• Ability to interpret and apply tax legislation, and present conclusions to stakeholders in clear, understandable terms and formats.

• Ability to perform analysis on large data sets.

• Strong systems skills – capable of working with complex financial systems, including being proficient with Web based software tools.

• Demonstrated ability to engage with senior levels of management and financial personnel in an organization.

• Very strong oral and written communication, interpersonal, analytical, problem-solving and organizational skills.

• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and within a team environment.

• Strong ability to prioritize and work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines.

• Strong ability to maintain accuracy, attention to detail, and to demonstrate strong initiative, work ethics, and integrity.