As a team we are incredibly lucky that we have a variety workstreams and projects to get our teeth into throughout the year. As a team, we cover all taxes and all jurisdictions that the group operates in. We are currently working our way through the usual October compliance tasks, which include interim reporting, preparation of the group VAT return and preparation of the UK tax computations, to name a few things on the to do list.
We are also busy preparing the business for the changes that ‘making tax digital’ will bring. We are looking at technology solutions that will not only ensure we are compliant but that optimise our VAT process going forward. Tax technology is an exciting topic at the moment, and the quicker pace of change, even compared with a year ago, shows how technology will redefine our roles as in-house tax professionals in the future.
Alongside these projects, the team continues to support the wider AO business with its continuous expansion. This includes tax support on projects such as our new AO finance proposition to our activities in Europe, and of course preparing for Black Friday. There is never a quiet day at AO!
Please share a practical tip on your work as an in-house tax leader.
I recommend taking the time to seek out and get to know your key stakeholders outside of the finance team. It is really important to build and invest in these relationships. As an in-house tax professional, you need to be commercially aware of what drives your business, not just now but in the medium and long term. People need to trust you. People want to talk about their business if you ask them. In my experience, this is only achieved if you take the time to listen to them and are genuinely interested in what they have to say.
It may seem obvious but having a solid network of in-house tax peers is invaluable; it can be quite lonely and daunting being the only tax person in a business. In the North West, there are a few in-house tax forums that run throughout the year which give us the opportunity to share practical experience and best practices.
Are there any new tax rules that are causing a particular problem for your industry?
Everyone is paying close attention to the discussions around the taxation of the digital economy. As these conversations have evolved, it is clear that the transfer pricing principles being considered will not just impact the technology and digital industry but will have far wider reaching impacts. I think the real question is whether this is the beginning of the end of the arm’s length principle? And if it is, what does the new world look like? Watch this space.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
It is really simple: be bold, be brave and, most importantly, be kind.
What do you do to unwind outside of work?
I have two small children, so I spend my free time with them and my husband exploring the outdoors, swimming and generally burning off excess energy. I also try to find time to support the local CIOT Manchester Branch committee and the Women in Tax Manchester branch group. I have been incredibly lucky in my career to be supported by senior tax leaders in the North West, and supporting these groups is one way of ensuring other tax professionals have to same opportunities.
As a team we are incredibly lucky that we have a variety workstreams and projects to get our teeth into throughout the year. As a team, we cover all taxes and all jurisdictions that the group operates in. We are currently working our way through the usual October compliance tasks, which include interim reporting, preparation of the group VAT return and preparation of the UK tax computations, to name a few things on the to do list.
We are also busy preparing the business for the changes that ‘making tax digital’ will bring. We are looking at technology solutions that will not only ensure we are compliant but that optimise our VAT process going forward. Tax technology is an exciting topic at the moment, and the quicker pace of change, even compared with a year ago, shows how technology will redefine our roles as in-house tax professionals in the future.
Alongside these projects, the team continues to support the wider AO business with its continuous expansion. This includes tax support on projects such as our new AO finance proposition to our activities in Europe, and of course preparing for Black Friday. There is never a quiet day at AO!
Please share a practical tip on your work as an in-house tax leader.
I recommend taking the time to seek out and get to know your key stakeholders outside of the finance team. It is really important to build and invest in these relationships. As an in-house tax professional, you need to be commercially aware of what drives your business, not just now but in the medium and long term. People need to trust you. People want to talk about their business if you ask them. In my experience, this is only achieved if you take the time to listen to them and are genuinely interested in what they have to say.
It may seem obvious but having a solid network of in-house tax peers is invaluable; it can be quite lonely and daunting being the only tax person in a business. In the North West, there are a few in-house tax forums that run throughout the year which give us the opportunity to share practical experience and best practices.
Are there any new tax rules that are causing a particular problem for your industry?
Everyone is paying close attention to the discussions around the taxation of the digital economy. As these conversations have evolved, it is clear that the transfer pricing principles being considered will not just impact the technology and digital industry but will have far wider reaching impacts. I think the real question is whether this is the beginning of the end of the arm’s length principle? And if it is, what does the new world look like? Watch this space.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
It is really simple: be bold, be brave and, most importantly, be kind.
What do you do to unwind outside of work?
I have two small children, so I spend my free time with them and my husband exploring the outdoors, swimming and generally burning off excess energy. I also try to find time to support the local CIOT Manchester Branch committee and the Women in Tax Manchester branch group. I have been incredibly lucky in my career to be supported by senior tax leaders in the North West, and supporting these groups is one way of ensuring other tax professionals have to same opportunities.
