Hong Kong Tax Operations, Associate

We're seeking someone to join our team as an Associate in International Tax Operations to deliver accurate, timely and well-controlled operational tax processing and support the implementation of tax-related regulatory and business change.

In the Operations division, we partner with business units across the Firm to support financial transactions, devise and implement effective controls and develop client relationships. This is an Associate level position within Tax Operations, supporting operational tax obligations across relevant products, legal entities and jurisdictions.

Since 1935, Morgan Stanley is known as a global leader in financial services, always evolving and innovating to better serve our clients and our communities in more than 40 countries around the world.

What you'll do in the role:

• Execute Hong Kong Stamp Duty and other operational tax processes accurately and within prescribed deadlines, including data sourcing and validation, tax calculation or withholding, reconciliation, payment, reporting and evidence retention, as applicable.
• Apply working knowledge of relevant systems, markets, products and tax processes to investigate exceptions, resolve breaks and escalate issues promptly.
• Perform and evidence required controls in accordance with procedures, checklists and the Firm's risk and control framework.
• Recognize operational, regulatory, financial and client risks in day-to-day activity; identify key issues and contribute to sustainable process and control improvements.
• Support operational impact assessments for tax regulatory changes, new products and business initiatives, including analysis of process, data, system, control and reporting requirements.
• Maintain clear and accurate procedures, process maps, control documentation, issue records and audit trails.
• Partner with internal stakeholders, including Corporate Tax, business units, Operations, Risk, Compliance, Technology and external service providers, to deliver timely outcomes.
• Respond to stakeholder queries using evidence-based analysis, clearly distinguishing operational tax support from legal or technical tax advice.
• Participate in projects, remediation and automation initiatives, contributing to requirements, testing, implementation and post-implementation review.

• Ability to establish clear priorities, meet regulatory and internal deadlines, and address non-standard issues within the area of responsibility with minimal guidance.
• Understanding of tax operations, including daily transaction review, tax calculation, reconciliation, regulatory reporting, payment and maintenance of supporting evidence. Knowledge of Hong Kong Stamp Duty would be a plus.
• Experience in financial services operations, tax operations, asset servicing, trade support, regulatory reporting, finance operations or another relevant control-focused environment.
• Ability to identify risk, investigate exceptions, analyze data, document conclusions and escalate material issues clearly and promptly.
• Strong attention to detail, with a commitment to accuracy, complete audit trails and high-quality control evidence.
• Ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders at different levels and explain complex issues in a concise, structured and practical manner.
• Ability to work collaboratively across functions and locations while maintaining ownership and accountability for assigned deliverables.
• Experience using AI, Power BI and other automation tools to analyze data, streamline workflows, enhance reporting and support process improvements is advantageous.
• Understanding of the importance of protecting client assets and money, safeguarding confidential information and complying with applicable policies and regulations.
• Ability to support change initiatives, challenge inefficient processes constructively and contribute to automation or process-improvement opportunities.
• Culture carrier across Operations, embracing the Firm's core values and maintaining sound judgment, integrity and a strong control mindset.
• At least 2 years' relevant experience would generally be expected to find the skills required for this role.