Hi Oleksandr! You graduated from the master’s degree programme in European and International Trade and Tax Law in 2016. Can you tell us more about what you have been doing since your graduation?
Since graduating in 2016, my career has really taken off. I first moved to sunny Malta, where I joined the international tax team at Deloitte. It was an exciting time to be in the field, with major developments happening in international tax rules. Being part of a strong technical team allowed me to apply the knowledge I had gained from the programme right away. After a few years, I decided to transition in-house to experience tax “from the other side.” That led me to join Uber, a unicorn at the time, which brought me to Amsterdam, where I have been ever since.
What inspired you to choose the Master’s in European and International Trade and Tax Law at LUSEM?
When I was comparing different tax programmes in Europe, the one at LUSEM truly stood out. The curriculum offered a strong and well-balanced mix of both direct and indirect taxation.
My studies in Lund provided a strong technical foundation and helped me develop the ability to process large amounts of information, identify what truly matters, and think critically.
I also really liked that the programme now includes a trade law component, which I think is a timely and valuable addition given recent global developments.
What does your role as Senior Tax Manager at Uber involve on a day-to-day basis? Which skills or insights from your master’s programme have been most valuable in your current position?
In my advisory role at Uber, I support a wide range of stakeholders daily—whether it’s launching a new product, entering a new market, managing country audits, or handling anything in between. I’m part of a talented team of tax professionals who are united by Uber’s mission to change how people and goods move. No day is ever the same, and as we like to say at Uber: #taxiscool (and we really mean it!).
While we continue developing our prompting and AI tooling skills, we must keep our critical thinking sharp, whether we’re reading a 50-page tax memo with a pen in hand or replying to an urgent email from a director.
My studies in Lund provided a strong technical foundation and helped me develop the ability to process large amounts of information, identify what truly matters, and think critically. The programme also connected me with a valuable alumni network, which has been helpful throughout my career.
How do you see the field of international tax evolving in the next few years? What’s one skill you’d love to master in the next five years?
It won’t surprise anyone when I say that AI is, and will continue to be, the biggest disruptor in our field. It is a game-changer for many professions, including tax and legal, but it also brings new challenges. For tax professionals and lawyers, critical thinking remains essential: making sound decisions, providing solid advice, paying close attention to detail, and relying on a strong technical foundation.
While we continue developing our prompting and AI tooling skills, we must keep our critical thinking sharp, whether we’re reading a 50-page tax memo with a pen in hand or replying to an urgent email from a director.
On the technical side, it is increasingly important for tax advisors and lawyers to understand the principles of tax accounting and know how to apply them in practice. This is an area I am also actively improving, as it plays a crucial role in bridging advisory work with financial reporting and business decision-making.
