Caterpillar—Accounting Associate (Indirect Tax)

Job description

Description: Career Area: Finance Job Description: Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc. When you join Caterpillar, you're joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do – but also about each other. We are the makers, problem solvers, and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don't just talk about progress and innovation here – we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it. About Caterpillar Caterpillar Inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. For nearly 100 years, we’ve been helping customers build a better, more sustainable world and are committed to and contributing to a reduced-carbon future. Our innovative products and services, backed by our global dealer network, provide exceptional value that helps customers succeed. Your Impact Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc When you join Caterpillar, you're joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do – but also about each other. We are the makers, problem solvers and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don't just talk about progress and innovation here – we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it. Job Summary We are seeking a skilled Lead Associate (Indirect Tax) to join GLBL BusSvcs Tax-Bangalore -Global Finance Services Division. We are seeking a skilled Tax Analyst who will play a pivotal role within the Tax Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bangalore, supporting the full spectrum of VAT/GST/SUT compliance activities across APAC jurisdictions. This role goes beyond traditional return filing—it is central to strengthening tax governance through meticulous invoice validation, tax determination accuracy, and proactive resolution of VAT/ GST/SUT discrepancies (“tax griefs”) arising in our accounting processes. The preference for this role is to be based out of Bangalore Office, KA-India What you will do - We are seeking a skilled Tax Associate who will play a pivotal role within the Tax Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bangalore, supporting the full spectrum of VAT/GST compliance activities across global jurisdictions. - This role goes beyond traditional return filing—it is central to strengthening tax governance through meticulous invoice validation, tax determination accuracy, and proactive resolution of VAT/ GST /SUT discrepancies (“tax griefs”) arising in our accounting processes. - As a key member of the tax compliance team, you will work closely with upstream functions to ensure that the source data feeding tax returns is complete, compliant, and technically aligned with local tax rules. - A major part of this role involves reviewing vendor and customer invoices, validating tax rates and tax codes, and ensuring adherence to jurisdictional VAT/GST/SUT documentation requirements. - You will also investigate and remediate mismatches between ERP tax postings and statutory positions, ensuring accurate reporting and reducing tax leakage or non‑compliance risk. - Tax CoE is an evolving, technology-driven function with a clear mandate to standardize and automate tax processes on a global scale. - In this role, you will contribute to shaping that vision by supporting automation initiatives, testing system enhancements, improving data quality, and driving process excellence for tax operations. - Your work will directly impact the efficiency, accuracy, and integrity of the compliance lifecycle. - Given the multi‑jurisdictional nature of VAT/GST laws, success in this role requires strong analytical capability, sound understanding of country-specific tax requirements, and the ability to interpret complex transaction flows. - You must be a strong team player with the flexibility to support cross‑functional initiatives, manage multiple calendars, and meet critical compliance deadlines. - This position offers the opportunity to work in a diverse and highly skilled team with backgrounds spanning consulting, tax, accounting etc.—making it an exciting environment for someone who wants to deepen their indirect tax expertise and contribute to a high‑performing global CoE. What you will have - Support with VAT/GST compliances across global regions - Analyse and validate compliance data, flagging issues and collaborating with teams to resolve them efficiently. - Maintain and develop relationships with internal and external stakeholders regarding compliance-related matters. - Ensure adherence to indirect tax processes and update procedures as needed to reflect evolving business requirements. - Prepare and review month-end reconciliations and journal entries, maintaining comprehensive audit documentation. - Leverage technology to streamline and automate tax calculations, ensuring compliance and accuracy. - Degree in finance, accounting, tax, or related field. - Core experience with GST + tax accounting (mandatory) - Working knowledge of GVRT, is preferred - Robust knowledge of MS Excel - Ability to analyse large data volumes to identify key insights. - Strong English written and verbal communication skills. - Self-driven with a critical and positive 'can-do' attitude. - Comfortable collaborating with various subject matter experts. - Knowledge of SAP is a must - The position requires all 5 days work from office. Desired Profile (Education/Experience) - Qualification - Accounting/Finance Degree - Experience (in years) - 3+ years of relevant indirect tax combined with GST/VAT/SUT accounting experience - Experience in Big 4 (Indirect Tax domain) / Tax CoE Setup or fast-paced industry (indirect tax teams preferred) Preferred Qualifications - Experience supporting tax, finance, or accounting applications. - Familiarity with software testing methodologies and defect management processes. - Understanding of system integrations and data flows between enterprise applications. - Knowledge of ITIL concepts and support processes. Skill Descriptors Accuracy and Attention to Detail: Understanding the necessity and value of accuracy; ability to complete tasks with high levels of precision. Level Working Knowledge: • Accurately gauges the impact and cost of errors, omissions, and oversights. • Utilizes specific approaches and tools for checking and cross-checking outputs. • Processes limited amounts of detailed information with good accuracy. • Learns from mistakes and applies lessons learned. • Develops and uses checklists to ensure that information goes out error-free. Analytical Thinking: Knowledge of techniques and tools that promote effective analysis; ability to determine the root cause of organizational problems and create alternative solutions that resolve these problems. Level Basic Understanding: • Names specific tools or techniques that can be used to support the analytical thinking process. • Describes specific software applications or products used for business analytics. • Gives examples of how analytical thinking has been used to resolve problems. • Helps others research and learn more about business analytics tools and applications. Effective Communications: Understanding of effective communication concepts, tools and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviors. Level Working Knowledge: • Delivers helpful feedback that focuses on behaviors without offending the recipient. • Listens to feedback without defensiveness and uses it for own communication effectiveness. • Makes oral presentations and writes reports needed for own work. • Avoids technical jargon when inappropriate. • Looks for and considers non-verbal cues from individuals and groups. Managing Multiple Priorities: Knowledge of effective self-management practices; ability to manage multiple concurrent objectives, projects, groups, or activities, making effective judgments as to prioritizing and time allocation. Level Basic Understanding: • Explains basic concepts of time and priority management. • Seeks guidance in detecting and addressing priority conflicts. • States own business priorities. • Describes team or unit priorities. Problem Solving: Knowledge of approaches, tools, techniques for recognizing, anticipating, and resolving organizational, operational or process problems; ability to apply knowledge of problem solving appropriately to diverse situations. Level Working Knowledge: • Identifies and documents specific problems and resolution alternatives. • Examines a specific problem and understands the perspective of each involved stakeholder. • Develops alternative techniques for assessing accuracy and relevance of information. • Helps to analyze risks and benefits of alternative approaches and obtain decision on resolution. • Uses fact-finding techniques and diagnostic tools to identify problems. Accounting: Knowledge of accounting methods, processes, and tools; ability to maintain and prepare financial statements and reports using accounting methods and processes. Level Working Knowledge: • Utilizes cost monitoring practices, techniques and considerations. • Works with financial transactions and related documentation within the organization. • Participates in accounting practices of classifying and recording financial data. • Maintains existing charts of accounts. • Follows regulations for entering and reporting the financial content in major accounting systems. Financial Reporting: Knowledge of processes, methods, and tools of financial reporting; ability to create and maintain accurate and thorough financial reports. Level Basic Understanding: • Describes basic methods for financial report writing. • Identifies basic financial report-writing tools. • Clarifies the purpose and value of accurate financial reports. • Utilizes the major financial reports used by the organization. What you will get: - Work Life Harmony - Earned and medical leave. - Relocation assistance Holistic Development - Personal and professional development through Caterpillar ‘s employee resource groups across the globe - Career developments opportunities with global prospects Health and Wellness - Medical coverage -Medical, life and personal accident coverage - Employee mental wellness assistance program Financial Wellness - Employee investment plan - Pay for performance -Annual incentive Bonus plan. Additional Information: Caterpillar is not currently hiring individuals for this position who now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status; however, as a global company, Caterpillar offers many job opportunities outside of the U.S. which can be found through our employment website at www.caterpillar.com/careers Posting Dates: Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply Not ready to apply? Join our Talent Community.