Summary
Role of the tax specialist
Expert advice
The tax specialist advises companies on taxation and law. He gives his expert opinion during company changes.
Its role is to propose tax solutions to optimize the company’s profits.
Guarantor of compliance with the law, he is up to date in terms of regulations.
Control role
The tax expert ensures the application of tax standards in the company and answers legal questions.
During tax audits, he is the link between the tax administration and the company to defend its interests in the event of litigation.
Essential qualities
Reflection and dialogue
The tax specialist is a good communicator. He must know how to express himself perfectly, both in writing and orally and be able to negotiate with his various interlocutors.
Tools to master
The practice of English is essential, as well as the mastery of IT management tools.
Flexibility and organization
The tax specialist must be able to work in a team. Resistant to pressure, it adapts to the different demands it receives.
Environment and salary of the tax specialist
Superstructures
The tax specialist intervenes within large-scale companies, in particular large international groups. Its role is strategic in supporting merger and acquisition operations, reorganization… it is at the heart of important issues.
A profession of the future
The profession of tax expert is constantly evolving because it follows the laws in force and all future bills that have a direct impact on business activity. In recent years, companies have sought to strengthen their tax teams by preferably recruiting specialized professionals.
Employee or consultant
The minimum wage for a young recruit is around €30,000 gross per year. Then, the progression is rapid and exponential: after a few years, one can hope to earn between 40,000 and 100,000 € annually. In the best of scenarios, an experienced tax specialist can receive up to €180,000 per year, excluding premiums and bonuses!
The tax expert can be employed in the financial and accounting department of a company, or practice as a consultant in a specialized firm. If he is a consultant, he travels frequently.
Finally, count at least 10 years to be eligible for a position of tax manager.
What training required?
You need a bac +5 level diploma to access the profession of tax specialist.
The following university paths can lead to it:
- master 2 “tax law”;
- master 2 “business law”;
- master 2 “legal and financial sciences”;
- master 2 “political sciences”;
- master 2 “economics and management law”;
- professional master’s degree in “corporate finance”;
- professional master’s degree “Accounting Control Audit”;
- diploma of professionalized university institutes (IUP) “banking and finance”;
- business school diploma.
Professional experience in law, taxation or administration is a valuable asset.
Content updated on 02/05/2012
Our tips:
Students graduating from a law course have every interest in becoming a lawyer, even if they do not practice the profession. This is a quality highly valued by employers.