Accelerating careers for tax Superstars: in conversation with Oleg Rak, managing partner of Mason Rak

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Accelerating careers for tax Superstars: in conversation with Oleg Rak, managing partner of Mason Rak

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ITR sat down with the founder and managing partner of Mason Rak, a specialist tax recruitment firm, to discuss what makes a tax Superstar and how to best position top-level professionals for that next big career move.

Mason Rak, a game-changing global tax recruitment firm, works with the world’s leading tax professionals who need a trusted adviser with superior expertise, a global network and the authority required to facilitate reputation-defining career moves.

The company has successfully completed more than 300 tax partner and team moves with a global reach that spans more than 50 jurisdictions.

Mason Rak’s mission is to support senior tax professionals so that they reach their full potential and enjoy a career that befits their talents and professional acumen.

ITR: Can you explain your approach to working with senior tax professionals?

Oleg: What sets Mason Rak apart is our bespoke, tailor-made approach to every individual we engage with. We work with the senior echelons of the tax world, and each case is different, so our approach is tailored to the vision and aspirations of each tax professional we work with. We take time to deeply understand their needs and support them at every stage of the recruitment process.

Together, we build a powerful personal brand and a winning business case that stands out from the competition. It’s a bespoke approach based on my own experience. Over years we’ve built a powerful global network, and as a result we have access to key stakeholders and some of the most exciting strategic tax roles.

I’ve been in tax my entire working life, first at a Big Four firm in London as a tax professional and then as a specialist tax executive search expert. I’ve experienced first-hand how frustrating recruitment services can be, so our mission is to provide a superior experience and great results for those we work with.

ITR: What kind of professionals do you work with, and how do you add value to them?

Oleg: We’re uniquely positioned in the market for purely focusing on strategic tax recruitment. We work with tax partners and teams, supporting them to secure market-defining moves with leading professional services and law firms across the globe. We like to call the professionals we work with “Superstars”, and it’s all about them realising their worth.

We add value by leveraging our network and our second-to-none market intelligence and global reach, so we truly have the means to add value. We are results-driven, and tailor our approach to their specific circumstances to realise their personal and professional ambitions. Our global reach means that wherever you are, and wherever you want to be across the world, you’re covered.

During our initial face-to-face meeting, in person or via video call, we discuss your unique situation and build a strategy to increase your chances of success. We are genuinely invested in securing the best outcome for every individual we work with and understanding the challenges ahead and how to overcome them.

ITR: What defines a “Superstar”?

Oleg: Those who are already playing in the highest league, typically tax partners or partners-in-the-making, people who want to take their career to the next level. In football terms, we’re referring to players like Lionel Messi, whose every move can shake the market and make a difference to a new club. Part of being a Superstar is building and maintaining a winning personal brand, which is something we can help with.

ITR: How is the current tax market encouraging high-level recruitment?

Oleg: Everything is globalised now, and tax is no exception. For example, transfer pricing offers opportunities across the global market because the legislation is applied in quite a uniform way. It gives tax partners the flexibility to work across a range of jurisdictions.

Looking at the Middle East, for example, there is currently a growth in demand for corporate tax professionals due to the introduction of relevant legislation, which is attracting leading tax professionals from emerging markets and advanced jurisdictions. We recently completed the process for a tax partner who moved from London to Dubai, and he is greatly enjoying his new role, as well as benefiting from a significant bump in his compensation.

In Europe, the EU’s adoption of BEPS 2.0 Pillar Two rules raises implementation issues across the member states which will require additional tax expertise. Like other jurisdictions, the EU is also growing its tax technology, and we’re currently working with a number of clients who are looking to attract tax technology experts to grow this business line.

In the US, recent news from the Biden administration has suggested that the IRS will be making a concerted effort on tax enforcement for big businesses. This, along with the continued flurry of M&A in the market, requires an influx of highly skilled M&A tax experts.

Asia Pacific, and China in particular, has become a key growth market for private clients, as high-net-worth individuals seek to diversify their portfolios. The collapse of Credit Suisse has forced wealthy individuals to consider spreading their investments across new geographies, and with Asia Pacific likely to experience an economic uptick this year, it seems a safe bet. This obviously entails new tax opportunities in the region.

Whether you are considering a local move, or exploring strategic tax opportunities overseas, our team at Mason Rak will be glad to support. Our mission is to help senior tax professionals reach their full potential and enjoy a career which befits their talent and professional acumen.

To read case studies from tax professionals who have worked with Mason Rak and secured strategic tax roles, please visit the Mason Rak website. https://www.masonrak.com/case-studies/

Oleg Rak

Managing Partner

Mason Rak

T: +44 786 911 3281

E: oleg.rak@masonrak.com

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