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.