C.A. Beena Samuel
Dubai,United Arab Emirates
Summary
Senior tax leader with 20+ years of international experience leading tax strategy, governance, compliance, and business partnering across the GCC, MENAT, and South-East Asia. Extensive expertise in direct and indirect taxation, transfer pricing, tax accounting, Pillar Two, and tax controversy management, with responsibility for multi-jurisdictional tax operations spanning the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Turkey, India, and Southeast Asia.
Trusted advisor to senior leadership teams on business expansion, restructuring, operating model transformation, and regulatory change. Proven success in leading the implementation of e-invoicing, UAE Corporate Tax, VAT, KSA RHQ requirements, and Global Minimum Tax (Pillar Two) frameworks, while driving tax transformation initiatives that strengthen governance, improve compliance, and enhance operational efficiency.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work history
Regional Tax Director - MENAT Region
Middle East Communication Network
Dubai
2022.03 - 2026.06
- Led direct and indirect tax strategy, governance, and compliance across the MENAT, GCC, and Southeast Asia regions, overseeing tax matters for operations in the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Tunisia, Algeria, India, Malaysia, and Thailand.
- Led the tax advisory function for the region, partnering with senior management and business leaders/ stakeholders to drive strategic tax-efficient decision-making on strategic initiatives, including market expansion, business reorganizations, operating model changes, and cross-border transactions.
- Led Pillar Two and Global Minimum Tax readiness assessments and implementation initiatives across the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait, evaluating financial, operational, and regulatory filing implications for the Group.
- Led implementation of major tax reforms, including, UAE E-invoicing, VAT and Corporate Tax, and KSA Regional Headquarters (RHQ) requirements.
- Monitored and interpreted emerging tax legislation and regulatory developments, advising senior leadership on business implications, risks, and strategic responses.
- Drove tax transformation, process optimization, and automation initiatives, including the development of technology-enabled tax reporting solutions to enhance efficiency, regulatory compliance, and data quality.
- Directed tax audits, assessments, investigations, and litigation across multiple jurisdictions, leading engagement and negotiations with tax authorities to effectively manage disputes, mitigate exposures, and safeguard business interests.
- Managed relationships with external tax advisors and tax authorities across the region, ensuring commercially aligned tax positions, effective dispute management, and consistent regulatory engagement.
- Partnered with global tax and finance leadership teams on group reporting, international tax initiatives, and cross-border transactions, ensuring alignment of regional tax strategies with global objectives.
- Advised management on entity-level and group-wide tax positions, identifying opportunities for tax optimization while ensuring alignment with business objectives, regulatory requirements, and risk appetite.
- Directed transfer pricing governance, including policy design, intercompany pricing frameworks, reporting obligations, and coordination of local and master file documentation requirements.
- Owned tax accounting and reporting processes, including tax provisions, deferred tax calculations, contingent tax reserves, effective tax rate (ETR) management, and tax cash-flow forecasting, in line with accounting standards and group reporting requirements.
- Reviewed and approved tax-related disclosures for statutory financial statements across multiple jurisdictions.
Group Tax Manager - MENA Region
Gulf Marketing Group
Dubai
2021.04 - 2022.03
- Executed regional tax advisory and compliance, tax compliance and risk mitigation measures.
- Processed VAT refund and application for USD 500k.
- Managed tax reporting for group financial statements and tax audit.
- Provided tax inputs on strategic and operational projects — market entry, restructuring etc.
- Conducted regional tax compliance and tax audits.
Senior Tax Advisor - MENA & APAC
Petrofac International Ltd
Sharjah
2012.09 - 2021.03
- Managed tax matters across 20+ jurisdictions in MENA and APAC regions.
- Advised executive leadership on international tax structuring, PE exposures, withholding tax risks and cross-border transactions.
- Coordinated tax advisors and audit teams across multiple jurisdictions.
- Managed major business restructurings, market entries and transformation projects.
Manager - Direct Tax, India
Deloitte Haskins & Sells
Mumbai
2010.06 - 2012.08
- Enhanced client tax savings by resolving complex Cross Border Tax Structuring and Transfer Pricing issues.
- Managed tax compliance and audit.
- Provided tax inputs on market entry, business and transaction restructuring etc.
Senior Consultant - Direct Tax, India
Ernst and Young Pvt. Ltd.
Mumbai
2007.07 - 2010.05
- Advised on cross-border tax structuring, international tax issues and transfer pricing.
- Handled tax compliance and executed tax audits/ assessments.
- Provided tax inputs on market entry, business and transaction restructuring etc.
Senior Executive - Taxation, India
Honda Siel Cars India Ltd
New Delhi
2005.12 - 2007.06
- In house tax expert advised on complex international and domestic tax matters, compliance, tax audits and tax risk mitigation.
Education
Chartered Accountant - [Tax, Law, Finance, Accounts]
Institute of Chartered Accountants
New Delhi, IndiaBachelor of Commerce (Honors) - [Tax, Commerce, Economics, Maths]
Delhi University
New Delhi, IndiaSkills
- Board, CFO & Executive Advisory
- Team Leadership & Stakeholder Management
- Tax Policy & Governance Frameworks
- Tax Strategy, Risk Management & Internal Controls
- Tax Structuring, M&A & Business Transformation
- International Tax & Transfer Pricing
- Corporate Tax & Indirect Tax (VAT/GST)
- Pillar Two & Global Minimum Tax
- Tax Accounting, ETR & Deferred Tax
- Tax Audits, Disputes & Controversy Management
Accomplishments
- Led the rollout of regional tax strategy initiatives and executive tax awareness programmes, strengthening governance, improving compliance across multiple jurisdictions, and reducing exposure to tax penalties.
- Designed and delivered UAE CT & VAT compliance training programmes across finance and operational teams, resulting in improved filing accuracy and stronger tax controls.
- Managed VAT refund claims across UAE, Turkey, and Tunisia, accelerating recoveries and improving cash flow.
- Reduced tax compliance risks, improving stakeholder satisfaction through leading the VAT and CT refund process in the UAE, Turkey and Tunisia.
INDUSTRY EXPERTISE
- Tax Advisory Firm (Big 4) [5 years]
- Media and advertising [4 years]
- Oil & Gas (EPC service provider) [8 years]
- Retail [1 year]
- Manufacturing [2 years]
Certification
- UAE VAT Certification (ICAI Dubai Branch)
- Diploma in International Tax, ATT UK (PWC Academy) – Pursuing
LANGUAGES
English Advanced
Arabic Beginner
Timeline
Regional Tax Director - MENAT Region
Middle East Communication Network
2022.03 - 2026.06
Group Tax Manager - MENA Region
Gulf Marketing Group
2021.04 - 2022.03
Senior Tax Advisor - MENA & APAC
Petrofac International Ltd
2012.09 - 2021.03
Manager - Direct Tax, India
Deloitte Haskins & Sells
2010.06 - 2012.08
Senior Consultant - Direct Tax, India
Ernst and Young Pvt. Ltd.
2007.07 - 2010.05
Senior Executive - Taxation, India
Honda Siel Cars India Ltd
2005.12 - 2007.06
Chartered Accountant - [Tax, Law, Finance, Accounts]
Institute of Chartered Accountants
Bachelor of Commerce (Honors) - [Tax, Commerce, Economics, Maths]
Delhi University