Transfer pricing professional

Analytical and strong numerical skills, usually with a background in corporate tax. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to lead and manage teams (as well as develop the skills and commercial acumen of more junior members of the team). Strong report writing skills with the ability to translate complex tax and jurisdictional issues into solutions for the business.

Multinational businesses will share services (shared service centres whereby the finance teams are located in one place and operations position multi-jurisdictionally; or manufacturing businesses whereby one company will manufacture widget A which will be transported to another country for manufacture into product B). Businesses need to ensure that the taxes reflect the business as a whole.  If one country sells all the products, they need to have costs of sales which reflect the costs associated with the manufacture of these goods. The added complexity is that prices have to be seen to be 'fair' and not overly favourable to any one entity. TP professionals ensure that the prices meet the various tax legislation in the countries whilst enabling the most efficient tax position for the company. If this is done incorrectly, fines (in the form of back taxes) may be incurred.