Tax Senior Associate

Canonical

Canonical is seeking a Tax Senior Associate to help shape and strengthen its global tax capability at a time of continued international growth. Reporting directly to the CFO, this is an exciting opportunity for a commercially aware and forward-thinking tax professional to build scalable tax processes across multiple jurisdictions.

If you are energized by international tax complexity, modern tax technology, and the chance to make a visible impact in a fast-growing technology business, this role offers a rare platform to do exactly that.

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About Canonical

Canonical is a global leader in open source software and operating systems. Its platform, Ubuntu, powers innovation across public cloud, AI, data science, engineering, and IoT. Canonical works with some of the world’s most influential public cloud providers, silicon companies, and enterprise organizations across a broad range of industries.

The company is founder-led, profitable, and growing, with more than 1,200 colleagues across 75+ countries. Canonical is also a pioneer in distributed work, with most roles operating remotely and teams coming together in person several times a year to collaborate on strategy and execution.

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The Opportunity

This is not a traditional tax role. It is a chance to help build a modern tax function from the ground up within a dynamic, international software company.

You will work closely with senior leadership to create tax processes and frameworks that support global expansion, manage compliance obligations, and respond effectively to an evolving regulatory landscape. From transfer pricing and VAT to digital services taxes and IFRS reporting, you will play a key role in ensuring Canonical’s tax approach remains robust, efficient, and future-ready.

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Location

• Remote within the EMEA region, or

• Office-based in London, UK

Canonical has a preference for candidates based in EMEA time zones.

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What You’ll Be Responsible For

As Tax Senior Associate, you will take ownership of a broad range of international tax activities, partnering with internal teams and external advisers to deliver high-quality outcomes.

Core Responsibilities

• Manage and coordinate the preparation and review of:

• Corporate tax returns

• VAT returns

• Other relevant tax filings across multiple entities

• Ensure timely, accurate, and compliant submissions in all required jurisdictions

• Partner with external advisers on:

• Transfer pricing documentation

• Tax planning initiatives

• Implementation of agreed strategies

• Lead responses to tax authority audits and enquiries, preparing supporting documentation and coordinating with external advisors

• Improve tax processes, controls, and data management, with a strong focus on:

• Efficiency

• Accuracy

• Technology enablement

• Automation

• Manage tax provisioning and reporting under IFRS, including:

• Effective tax rate calculations

• Tax disclosures for financial statements

• Collaborate cross-functionally with:

• Finance

• Legal

• Business operations

• Monitor legislative developments across relevant regions and assess their potential impact on the business

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What We’re Looking For

Canonical values intellectual curiosity, strategic thinking, and the ability to thrive in a high-performing global environment. We are especially interested in candidates who bring strong academic achievement, professional credibility, and practical multinational tax exposure.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Exceptional academic results at both high school and university level

• Undergraduate degree in one of the following or a related discipline:

• Business

• Finance

• Economics

• Technology

• Another quantitative field

• Fully qualified accountant:

• ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent

• Fully qualified tax advisor:

• CTA, ADIT, or equivalent

• 3–5 years of relevant tax experience gained in:

• A Big 4 / Top 10 accounting firm, and/or

• A multinational in-house tax team

Key Skills & Attributes

• Strong understanding of global tax considerations in a multinational environment

• Ability to communicate complex tax matters clearly to non-tax stakeholders

• Confidence to contribute ideas, challenge constructively, and exchange feedback professionally

• Excellent written and spoken English

• Strong presentation and interpersonal skills

• High levels of:

• Curiosity

• Flexibility

• Accountability

• Thoughtfulness

• Self-motivation

• Results-oriented mindset with a strong personal commitment to delivery

• Willingness and ability to travel internationally twice per year, for up to two weeks at a time

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Nice to Have

• Leadership capability

• Experience in the software or technology sector

• Exposure to public company finance and reporting

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Why Join Canonical

Canonical offers the chance to work at the forefront of open source innovation in a business that is redefining how distributed companies operate. You’ll join a high-calibre global team and play a meaningful role in building tax capability within a fast-moving international environment.

What Canonical Offers

• Distributed work environment

• Twice-yearly in-person team sprints

• USD 2,000 annual learning and development budget

• Annual compensation review

• Performance-driven annual bonus or commission

• Recognition rewards

• Annual holiday leave

• Maternity and paternity leave

• Team Member Assistance Program

• Wellness Platform

• Opportunities to travel to new locations and connect with colleagues globally

• Priority Pass and travel upgrades for long-haul company events

Compensation is shaped by location, experience, and performance, with a commitment to fairness and global consistency.

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A Career at Canonical

Canonical is one of the most influential companies in open source technology. As the publisher of Ubuntu, it sits at the center of major developments in cloud computing, AI, IoT, and enterprise software.

Joining Canonical means joining a company with exceptionally high standards, global reach, and a culture built around excellence, learning, and innovation. It is an environment where you will be challenged to think differently, grow continuously, and perform at your best.

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Equal Opportunity

Canonical is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. The company is committed to building an inclusive workplace free from discrimination, where diversity of background, experience, and perspective is valued and respected.

Whatever your identity or background, your application will receive fair consideration.