In this episode of Tax Leaders Unplugged, host Stevi Frooninckx chats to Karl Berlin, Vice President and Head of Tax at Ørsted, about his career journey and the importance of aligning tax goals with business goals. Karl shares his experiences starting his career immediately in-house as well as emphasizes the importance of understanding the business and building relationships with stakeholders, to advance in your own tax career.
Stevi and Karl also discuss the significance of sustainable and responsible tax behaviour and the accreditations and certifications that can demonstrate a company's commitment to these principles.
Key Takeaways:
– Aligning tax goals with business goals is crucial for capturing and protecting the value created by the business.
– Understanding the business and building stakeholder relationships are key to being an effective tax leader.
– Sustainable and responsible tax behavior involves transparently communicating tax practices and actively participating in the tax debate.
– Accreditations and certifications can provide credibility and demonstrate a company's commitment to sustainable tax practices.
– Younger tax professionals should focus on effective communication and understanding the business context to excel in their careers. Understanding tax rules in different countries is crucial for companies operating internationally.
– A background in law can provide a methodological approach to analyzing tax problems.
– Problem-solving skills are essential for tax managers.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Tax Leaders Unplugged
01:09 Guest Introduction: Carl Berlin
02:08 Understanding Hygge and Lagom
03:06 Creating a Cozy Atmosphere in the Tax Department
05:46 Alternative Career Paths
07:06 Transition from Advisory to In-House Tax
09:05 Benefits of In-House Tax Roles
10:02 Balancing In-House and Advisory Roles
11:22 Learning Experience in Early Career
12:42 Importance of Advisory Background
13:19 Working with Different Tax Regimes
14:15 Importance of Tax on Senior Management Agenda
16:04 Promoting Tax as a Business Goal
17:26 Defining Sustainable and Responsible Tax Behavior
19:47 Accreditations and Certifications for Responsible Tax Behavior
21:37 Engaging with the Business as a Tax Leader
23:33 Building Relationships with Business Stakeholders
24:31 Managing Conflicts of Interest
27:14 Defining Sustainable Tax Behavior
30:37 Getting Started with Accreditations
32:44 Dealing with Controversy
37:37 Importance of Understanding the Business
39:35 Evolution of the Tax World
41:05 Advice for Younger Tax Professionals
53:27 Company Vision and Strategy
54:53 Training and Background for Tax Managers
56:44 Challenges for Airlines
57:39 Apportioning Costs Between Jurisdictions
58:32 Recommended Reading
01:01:27 Conclusion
