CAREER HISTORY AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Assistant Manager – Tax Services June 2010 – Present
Work duties: Deloitte Ltd, Cyprus
Tax Advisory and Planning
• Being in close liaison with the VAT authorities, the Attorney General and the Ministry of Finance in formulating local VAT policies for the emerging industry of Oil & Gas, given the absence of specific VAT regulations in Cyprus for the industry;
• Performed a global VAT study in relation to the VAT treatment adopted by other EU and non-EU countries for the Oil & Gas operations in their EEZ, performed by companies engaged in all levels of the supply chain;
• Advised on VAT and customs duties matters in relation to the importation of equipment and associated goods and services used in all stages of the exploration, drilling and potential construction of an LNG facility, as well as on farming in/out arrangements, TOGC and participating interest assignments in the Oil & Gas industry;
• Participated in Due Diligence projects both from the perspective of the vender and the vendee where identified key areas of potential risks and hidden liabilities;
• Engaged in the potential acquisition of a global operations company in the Financial services sector, being responsible for ensuring that no overstatement of input VAT or understatement of output VAT were incurred and all compliance requirements were met, including the application of the reverse charge provisions;
• Worked closely with senior management staff within the Deloitte global network in providing high level planning advice and restructuring scenarios for international clients, aiming at minimising the global taxation liabilities and achieving the best possible structures from a cash flow and liquidity perspective.
VAT Diagnostic Reviews and Restructuring
• Engaged in VAT diagnostic reviews of both local and offshore companies, ranging in the industries of oil & gas, E-Commerce, Retail markets and the financial sector (trading of shares and securities, portfolio management services, holding companies with financing activities and other);
• Reviewed periodic Financial Statements and agreements for various clients, identifying areas of high exposure and leading to more in-detail examination of the business’ flow of transactions;
• Drafted reports delivered to clients summarizing the correct VAT application of the Law on the companies’ transactions with associated VAT liabilities where applicable and consequently delivered practical recommendations on possible insufficiencies identified in their accounting systems and internal controls from a VAT perspective;
• Assigned the responsibility of the field work in a VAT diagnostic review for a leading company operating in the sports and gymnastics sector, which also had the management and control of Cyprus National Stadiums, whilst being in charge of the coaching of junior staff;
• Calculated the VAT recovery on the input VAT of various companies, based on their taxable and exempt activities and quantified any possible VAT exposure.
Indirect Taxation Compliance
• Have the responsibility for compliance requirements for the assigned portfolio of clientele, including relevant supervision, review and guidance provided to more junior staff;
• Performed thorough reviews of companies’ activities and transactions in order to identify the obligation of companies for VAT, VIES and Intrastat registration;
• Completed and submitted periodic VAT returns, VIES and Intrastat forms;
• Performed Transfer On a Going Concern (TOGC) procedures for transfers of businesses or conversions of branches into companies and vice versa;
• Utilised the EU VAT legislation’s 8th directive for the obtaining of VAT refunds from other EU Member States for various clients and provided compliance advice and services for other jurisdictions, being in close collaboration with other Deloitte offices;
• Quantified tax exposure and penalties from late registrations and performed annual adjustment calculations for the percentage of claimable input VAT based on companies’ activities;
Audit Assistant – Assurance and Enterprise Risk Services September 2009 – June 2010
Work duties: Deloitte Ltd, Cyprus
• Performed statutory audits and other consulting engagements for various public listed and privately held companies;
• Prepared financial reports and financial statements in accordance with International Accounting Standards;
• Experience ranging between hotel and tourism, automobiles, financial services and gaming industries;
• Involved in the planning, group coordination, proper supervision and guidance of new members of an audit team;
• Performed tests to verify operating effectiveness and design and implementation of internal controls so as to ensure compliance with IFRSs, ISAs and IASs.
Tax Internship – Tax Services June – July 2008
Work duties: KPMG Ltd, Cyprus
• Completed a 4-week internship program in the Tax department;
• Assisted in the computation of personal and company tax assessments;
• Took part in the performance of tax restructuring and planning for groups of companies;
• Received a job offer upon the internship’s completion on the condition of university grade.
AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
• Ranked as top performer and amongst the 10% top employees at Deloitte;
• Received numerous commendations for outstanding contribution in music and arts both at university and school level;
• Youthpass certificate holder for participating in various EU training and exchange programs and seminars under the “Youth in Action” program of the European Commission.
KEY COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS
• Fluent in English and Greek. Basic knowledge of Italian;
• Excellent practical knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Web browsers, Audit System 2.0 and CaseWare Working Papers
• Strong analytical skills and excellent communication and presentation skills
