About the role

The UK is Pearson’s second largest market, comprising interesting and complex businesses across each of our divisions, together with significant central corporate functions and group financing activity. This role has direct responsibility for managing Pearson’s UK corporate tax compliance process and associated matters and you will be responsible for delivering the full annual cycle – from year-end tax provisions to statutory accounts provisions and tax computations.

A detailed understanding of our UK activities will be required in order to provide tax related business support to commercial/finance teams, and to ensure readiness for pending UK Transfer Pricing documentation requirements. You will also interact with Person’s broader tax strategy agenda, including identifying ETR and Cash Tax risks / opportunities and providing input to VP UK & International Tax, Head of US Tax & Tax Strategy and Head of Group Reporting & Operational Transfer Pricing agendas.

Key responsibilities

Delivering the annual UK year-end tax reporting process, working with local finance teams, Group reporting team, internal and external auditors as required. Including:

• Calculation of all corporate tax provisions (and prior year adjustments)

• Ensuring compliance with all SOX controls

• Ensuring accurate posting of tax journals (including group relief journals)

• Consideration of uncertain tax positions

• Delivering the annual UK Statutory tax reporting process in partnership with local finance teams, with ultimate sign off of tax numbers and disclosure notes

• Responsible for the timely filing of all UK corporation tax returns and related filings (via a Big 4 outsource), including management of associated RDEC claims.

• Provide day to day tax support and advice to Pearson’s businesses, and support financial controllers in all tax matters – including new business initiatives, supply chain and contracting models etc.

• Performing technical assessment of new UK tax laws & regulations and monitor the position on an ongoing basis.

• Future involvement in Pillar 2 compliance obligations as they relate to the UK

• Completing detailed and accurate UK cash tax forecasting and manage required payments with HMRC.

• Contributing to group ETR forecasting process.

• Readiness assessment for incoming UK TP documentation requirements, recommendation, and delivery of proposed solution.

• Partnership with Group Treasury team to ensure tax efficient management of intragroup financing arrangements, including derivatives and foreign exchange considerations.

• Leveraging UK knowledge and advisor network to provide tax technical support and guidance to wider tax team in support of group projects & global initiatives.

• Acting as key contact for HMRC with responsibility for managing UK corporate tax audits, SAO process, Business Risk Review activity and general correspondence

• Proactively identifying and responding to UK tax risks and opportunities.

• Support on global tax strategy projects as required.

Essential Qualifications and Skills

We are looking for someone with strong UK tax technical skills, a desire for accountability and autonomy, and an enthusiasm for optimizing processes and driving an agenda of continuous improvement. You will also demonstrate commercial awareness, and an interest in learning about Pearson’s UK businesses in order to best support from a tax perspective. In addition you will require:

• University degree and relevant professional qualification (accounting, tax or legal).

• Demonstrable tax experience gained in an in-house tax role and/or experience at Tax Manager level or above in Practice.

• Experience delivering (or making a significant contribution to the delivery of) the UK compliance cycle for a group of entities.

• Proficient in tax accounting.

• Strong Microsoft Excel skills, including high degree of confidence using tools used to interrogate accounting systems (Pearson use Smartview).

• Experience working with ERP systems preferred (Pearson use Oracle).

• Ability to build strong relationships with management and the wider business.

• Ability to interact with all levels and parts of an organisation including Treasury, Legal, Finance and Business, and to manage advisers.

• A proactive, enthusiastic, team oriented individual with excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Good project management experience and expertise.

Location

Based anywhere in the UK. Role may be remote, with occasional travel to Pearson offices.

Group Tax are based throughout the UK and US, with particular presence at our Corporate Head office in London (including Head of Tax) and Belfast.

Your Reward & Benefits

We know you’ll do great work, so we give a lot back with some of the best benefits in the business. We understand that one size doesn’t fit all, so our workplace programs meet the different needs of our diverse teams and their families too. There is a range of options, too many to list here, but when you join our Pearson family you can look forward to:

• Starting holiday of 25 days plus UK public holidays and you’ll earn 1 additional day’s holiday per year you work with us;

• A generous pension scheme where we match and double what you contribute;

• Maternity, paternity, and family care leave as well as flexible work policies;

• Stock/share purchase options;

• Healthcare and dental plans, and an employee well-being assistance program for you and your family to help balance work, family, and personal life;

• Cycle to Work Scheme, gym membership concessions in selected office locations, along with retail and leisure discounts.

What to expect from Pearson

Did you know Pearson is one of the 10 most innovative education companies of 2022?

At Pearson, we add life to a lifetime of learning so everyone can realize the life they imagine. We do this by creating vibrant and enriching learning experiences designed for real-life impact. We are on a journey to be 100 percent digital to meet the changing needs of the global population by developing a new strategy with ambitious targets. To deliver on our strategic vision, we have five business divisions that are the foundation for the long-term growth of the company: Assessment & Qualifications, Virtual Learning, English Language Learning, Workforce Skills and Higher Education. Alongside these, we have our corporate divisions: Digital & Technology, Finance, Global Corporate Marketing & Communications, Human Resources, Legal, Strategy and Direct to Consumer. Learn more at We are Pearson.

We value the power of an inclusive culture and also a strong sense of belonging. We promote a culture where differences are embraced, opportunities are accessible, consideration and respect are the norm and all individuals are supported in reaching their full potential. Through our talent, we believe that diversity, equity and inclusion make us a more innovative and vibrant place to work. People are at the center, and we are committed to building a workplace where talent can learn, grow and thrive.

Pearson is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer and a member of E-Verify. We want a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit and business need. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status or any other group protected by law. We strive for a workforce that reflects the diversity of our communities.

To learn more about Pearson’s commitment to a diverse and inclusive workforce, navigate to: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Pearson.

If you are an individual with a disability and are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our career site as a result of your disability, you may request reasonable accommodations by emailing TalentExperienceGlobalTeam@grp.pearson.com.

Note that the information you provide will stay confidential and will be stored securely. It will not be seen by those involved in making decisions as part of the recruitment process.

Job: FINANCE

Organization: Corporate Finance

Schedule: FULL_TIME

Workplace Type:

Req ID: 15710

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