JOB SUMMARY The Head of Tax and Technical Accounting is a senior strategic leadership role responsible for leading the Tax and Technical Accounting functions across the EPF Group, both locally and globally. This role involves high-impact decision-making related to tax planning, accounting policies, financial compliance, and audit readiness. A key component of the role is to strategise, streamline, and manage relationships with external accounting firms across jurisdictions, covering accounting services, statutory audit, and tax compliance/advisory, to ensure value, consistency, and quality delivery. The incumbent also leads policy development, risk assessment, and process improvement initiatives while ensuring timely, accurate, and compliant financial reporting across the Group. JOB RESPONSIBILITIES Tax Compliance and Strategy Lead the overall Group-wide tax strategy, ensuring effective tax planning, risk mitigation, and full compliance with both Malaysian and international tax laws, including those applicable to global subsidiaries. Provide authoritative guidance on the interpretation and application of direct and indirect tax legislation, transfer pricing rules, withholding tax, capital gains tax, stamp duty, and double taxation treaties, where applicable. Oversee the preparation, review, and timely submission of all tax filings and statutory reporting obligations, ensuring accuracy and alignment with local regulations across jurisdictions. Develop and implement group tax governance frameworks, internal controls, and risk registers to support tax transparency, accountability, and audit-readiness. Proactively identify and assess tax exposures and opportunities, advising senior leadership on structural and transactional tax implications, including new investments, acquisitions, and divestments. Drive the development of tax-efficient structures and strategies to support business growth, optimise the Group's effective tax rate (ETR), and manage deferred tax assets/liabilities. Lead and coordinate group-wide transfer pricing policies, intercompany arrangements, and documentation in line with OECD guidelines and local regulatory requirements. Serve as EPF's lead representative in engagements with the Inland Revenue Board (IRB), Royal Customs, and foreign tax authorities to manage audits, disputes, tax queries, and voluntary disclosures. Liaise with external tax advisors, legal counsel, and accounting firms to obtain technical opinions or validate strategic tax positions, particularly in high-risk or novel areas. Continuously monitor regulatory and legislative changes in tax laws and accounting treatment with tax impact (e.g., deferred tax), and lead implementation across all affected entities. Lead tax compliance and strategy integration during onboarding of new subsidiaries and cross-border expansion initiatives, including entity structuring and tax registration. Ensure the integration of tax risk management into the wider enterprise risk management (ERM) framework of the Group. Technical Accounting Oversight Serve as the Group's lead technical advisor on the interpretation and application of MFRS, IFRS, and other relevant reporting frameworks. Provide expert guidance and judgement on complex accounting transactions such as investments, financial instruments, lease arrangements, consolidation, and revenue recognition. Lead the accounting review of strategic business initiatives, investment structures, and corporate transactions to ensure accurate and compliant treatment from inception. Oversee the preparation and technical review of accounting position papers for material or judgemental areas to support audit readiness. Actively engage with external auditors on technical issues to ensure alignment and avoid late-stage audit adjustments. Monitor emerging accounting standards and trends and assess their operational and reporting impact on EPF and EPF Group's financial statements. To lead the implementation of new or amended MFRS/IFRS standards Conduct technical briefings and training to enhance internal capability and awareness of key standards among EPF finance teams. External Firm Strategy and Delivery Model Lead and manage strategic engagements with external accounting firms, specifically for complex and technical matters related to accounting services, statutory audits, and tax compliance/advisory. Key responsibilities include performance evaluation of service providers, managing escalations, and ensuring technical accuracy and alignment with group policies. Conduct cost-benefit analyses to guide insourcing vs outsourcing decisions and lead periodic assessments of accounting effectiveness in subsidiaries to recommend improvements in delivery models. Policy Development and Standardisation Lead the formulation, harmonisation, and periodic review of EPF's Group-wide accounting policies, ensuring clarity, consistency, and alignment with current standards. Develop and maintain a robust Accounting Policy Repository that provides practical guidance on application, including illustrative examples and implementation notes. Coordinate with key stakeholders (e.g., Risk, Legal, Business, and Investments) to ensure policies are operationally relevant and effectively embedded in business processes. Establish a framework for addressing and documenting non-routine accounting matters through formal internal position papers. Ensure all policy updates and interpretations are properly communicated to relevant entities and finance personnel. Compliance Governance and Internal Controls Maintain a comprehensive Technical Accounting Manual as the official reference document governing the application of accounting standards and policies across all EPF entities. Ensure alignment between accounting practice, financial reporting, internal controls, and external audit expectations. Collaborate with Internal Audit and Risk teams to regularly assess the effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting (ICFR) related to technical accounting areas. Establish clear workflows and approval processes for technical accounting decisions to support governance and accountability. Lead documentation and audit trail management to support internal and external reviews on all accounting positions and policy applications. Financial Reporting and Year-End Closing Provide technical oversight during the year-end financial close process to ensure complex accounting issues are addressed early and do not result in audit findings or adjustments. Ensure accounting policies and standards are clearly communicated and consistently applied across the Group through technical guidance and governance. Collaborate with external auditors to resolve technical queries and prevent qualifications or late adjustments. Internal and External Stakeholder Engagement Build strong working relationships with key internal stakeholders, particularly the Investment Division, to ensure accurate accounting and appropriate tax treatment for complex investment structures and transactions. Act as liaison with external accounting and tax firms, professional bodies, and regulatory authorities. Risk Monitoring, Research & Standards Implementation Monitor local and global developments in accounting and tax standards. Lead implementation efforts of new or revised standards across the Group. Identify risks and formulate proactive mitigation strategies. Provide thought leadership on technical accounting matters, supported by ongoing research and benchmarking. Professional Development of Accountants in EPF Develop and implement a structured professional development strategy for EPF accountants. Collaborate with bodies such as ACCA, MIA, MICPA, and academic institutions to support certification, upskilling, and technical excellence. Promote a learning culture and a pipeline of technically sound finance professionals within the organisation. Leadership and Continuous Improvement Lead finance transformation initiatives, including systems enhancement and process redesign. Foster a high-performance team environment with strong governance and accountability. Mentor, coach, and guide tax and accounting professionals to build future leaders within EPF. JOB REQUIREMENTS Possess a Bachelor's degree or Master's in Accounting, Finance, or equivalent field which is recognized by the Government from any local or abroad higher learning institution. Professional qualification (CPA, CA, ACCA, or equivalent) is compulsory. Minimum 15 years of progressive experience in tax, audit, and technical accounting, preferably in a Big 4 firm or multinational group. Proven leadership in group-level oversight involving both local and global operations Strong expertise in MFRS, IFRS, and regulatory reporting frameworks. Experience in managing external accounting service providers and in strategic evaluation of service models. Demonstrated capability in stakeholder engagement, particularly with senior management and investment teams. Relevant experience in the development or technical interpretation of accounting standards, particularly from roles in accounting firms, professional bodies, academia, or standard-setting institutions, is a strong advantage. Excellent communication, analytical thinking, and governance mindset. Malaysian citizen. Obtain a pass in Bahasa Melayu, including an oral test in Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) level or equivalent qualification recognised by the Government. PLACEMENT Tax & Technical Accounting Section, Finance Department JOB STATUS Permanent All applications are strictly CONFIDENTIAL and only shortlisted candidates will be called in for interview. Applications are deemed UNSUCCESSFUL if there is no feedback from the EPF 2 MONTHS after the closing date of the advertisement. Show more Show less