Waqaas Akhtar
London
Summary
I am an ATT and IRS EA qualified tax professional, who joined PwC's UK & US Private Client Tax Department as a School Leaver. With several years of experience in this department, I developed a specialism in the dual-handling of both UK & US taxation, with a particular focus on the interaction between both of the aforementioned jurisdictions. After years of experience in a role which focuses largely on providing expert Advice and Compliance related services to high-net worth clients, I joined PwC Tax Technology Department as a Product Manager, to merge my technical tax background, with the passion I had for the world of Technology. My exposure within the discipline of Product Management has since been incredibly vast, from working with leading global technology organisations to procure and build tech solutions, to rolling out state-of-the-art Generative AI products globally - I have in little to no time, developed an entirely new specialism altogether, which compliments both my interests and strengths. With the skills that I have acquired in light of such wide-ranging experiences, I possess the necessary attributes and skills to deliver high quality services of value. I am confident, quick to learn, and have great people skills. I care a lot about the work I do and the people I work with, and I do so whilst always maintaining integrity and professionalism.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work history
Tax Technology Product Manager
PwC LLP
London
05.2023 - 11.2025
- I managed the global rollout of advanced generative AI digital products. My role focused on ensuring the successful implementation and adoption of these tools, which included overseeing inter-firm agreements, managing licenses, conducting demonstrations, and handling some elements of global communication.
- In my role as a Tech Product Manager, I manage software developers from various backgrounds and experience levels in order to ensure the creation of digital assets that adequately address high-priority use-cases within designated budgets and timeframes.
- I am responsible for gathering requirements from tax business teams and conveying them to software developers in order to build digital solutions. Consequently, I have experience in using PMO tools like Azure DevOps, Smartsheets, and Kanbanchi.
- With approximately five years of experience as an international and domestic tax consultant, I utilise my technical tax expertise to understand varying operating tax models and identify opportunities for technological efficiencies.
- My role involves boosting the use of internal digital assets. I coordinate internal meetings to understand service delivey models and provide demonstrations to drive digital adoption, thereby increasing the use of internal digital assets to improve overall efficiencies.
- Engaged directly with clients to review their tax operating models, uncover inefficiencies, and recommend targeted digital improvements.
- My role involves assessing the commercial viability of development ideas proposed by our internal tax business teams. I then pitch these ideas to the Tax Technology Leadership Council in order to obtain investment, much like in a 'Dragon's Den' setting.
- Worked with hyperscalers (Google, AWS, and Microsoft) to secure co-investment for PwC-built products, including funding for development, sales enablement, and joint marketing initiatives.
Private Client Tax Consultant
PwC LLP
London
09.2017 - 04.2023
- Responsible for the preparation and review of both UK and US tax returns and reporting forms.
- I was allocated as the primary tax contact and consultant, for a portfolio of individual clients. I would correspond with them on behalf of PwC, and often lead calls and meeting for them.
- I delivered several highly technical advice services, in various forms including presentations, memorandums, flowcharts and the like.
- I liaised regularly with tax authorities, including HMRC, the IRS and US state tax departments such as the California FTB. I often did so so in order to resolve clients’ ongoing tax related issues including tax enquiries, audits, notices, identify verification, processing delays and other such tax related issues.
- Tasked with the responsibility to respond to tax audits and enquiries, such as those that come under Section 9A for our clients. I have developed my eye for detail and writing skills with such responsibility.
- As part of the US/UK training team, I was responsible directly for the upskilling of junior staff members. I led a ‘Back to Basics’ training program designed specifically for junior members of staff. This program was incredibly well-received and is now something that the departments conducts on a yearly basis.
- I led weekly ‘Associate / Senior Associate’ peer group meetings. These meetings are designed to provide senior associates (assistant managers) and below a safe space to speak and share their thoughts and concern. I acted as the go-between this peer group, and the senior members of the team.
- I delivered training sessions to the international tax experts on US taxation. Such sessions featured an audience in excess of 50 from around the world, including colleagues from Switzerland, Italy and the United States.
Education
GCSEs -
Stratford School Academy
London, United KingdomA-Levels -
Newham Sixth Form College
London, United KingdomCertificate of Higher Education - Taxation
Association of Taxation Technicians (ATT)
London, United KingdomDiploma of Higher Education - Taxation
Internal Revenue Service Enrolled Agent (IRS EA)
United States of AmericaSkills
- Leader
- Management
- Interpersonal Skills
- Public Speaking
- Confident
- Analytical
Timeline
Tax Technology Product Manager
PwC LLP
05.2023 - 11.2025
Private Client Tax Consultant
PwC LLP
09.2017 - 04.2023
A-Levels -
Newham Sixth Form College
Certificate of Higher Education - Taxation
Association of Taxation Technicians (ATT)
Diploma of Higher Education - Taxation
Internal Revenue Service Enrolled Agent (IRS EA)
GCSEs -
Stratford School Academy