Assistant Controller – Tax (APAC)

Position Overview

The APAC Direct & Indirect Tax Head will be responsible for controlling all aspects of direct and indirect taxation across the Asia-Pacific region. This includes , compliance, planning, risk management, reporting and partnering with business leaders to support business objectives while ensuring adherence to local and international tax regulations.

Must have capabilities to escalate to Dentsu and/or relevant advisors when required with minimum supervision across APAC region. This includes but is not limited to managing and working local finance team, local tax consultants, auditors and statutory authorities.

Extraction of value from advisors and the dentsu experts in the network.

Key Responsibilities

Tax Strategy & Planning:

• Develop and implement regional tax strategies (direct & indirect) aligned with global tax policies and business objectives.
• Transfer Pricing Management: review and update of TP policies
• Tariff Management including business impact assessment
• Managing and updating Workday and DI Tax master set ups ownership

Tax Compliance and Reporting:

• Oversee, project manage timely and accurate filing of all direct and indirect tax returns across APAC jurisdictions.
• Provide guidance to regional finance teams to ensure compliance with local laws, transfer pricing documentation, GST/VAT regimes, and withholding tax requirements with help from market denstu tax person
• Coordination with regional finance teams, local consultants and other stakeholder to ensure accurate and timely filings.
• Review of Tax packs for all APAC entities with close coordination with regional finance teams
• Leading engagement with external consultants and completing Transfer pricing reports and explanations when required to advisors ; and CBCR reporting data (to Dentsu) for all APAC entities with close coordination with regional finance teams
• Manage RO transfer pricing distribution
• Preparing and maintaining data base of Withholding Tax rates applicable in all APAC countries

Risk Management & Governance:

• Identify, monitor, and mitigate tax risks in the region.
• Complete ownership of analysis and reconciliation of all Tax ledger codes in all APAC entities balance sheet
• Ensure timely update on internal reporting systems (Trackers, internal online portal and ERP Tax packs)

• Business Partnering:

• Advise senior management on tax implications of business initiatives, restructurings, and M&A transactions.
• Provide guidance and coaching to finance and operations teams on tax-related issues/ updates

Stakeholder Management:

• Liaise with external advisors, auditors, and tax authorities.
• Collaborate with internal teams (Finance, Legal, Treasury, Supply Chain) to ensure cohesive tax planning.

Qualifications & Experience

• Chartered Accountant (CA), CPA, or equivalent professional qualification.
• Minimum 10–12 years of progressive tax experience (direct & indirect) in multinational organizations or Big 4 consulting firms, with at least 3–5 years in a leadership role across APAC markets.
• Strong knowledge of APAC tax laws, international tax, transfer pricing, and GST/VAT regimes.
• Proven experience managing tax risks and audits across multiple jurisdictions.
• Excellent stakeholder management, leadership, and communication skills.

Key Competencies

• Strategic and analytical thinking with a hands-on approach.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and cross-culturally in a fast-paced environment.
• High integrity, business acumen, and problem-solving capabilities.