Michael Schaefer
About Michael Schaefer
Michael Schaefer serves as the Head of Payroll Germany and Director at VISTRA since 2019, bringing extensive experience in tax advisory and payroll management from previous roles at Ford-Werke GmbH and Deloitte.
Work at Vistra
Michael Schaefer has been serving as the Head of Payroll Germany and Director at Vistra since 2019. His role is based in Cologne, where he oversees payroll operations and ensures compliance with local regulations. His leadership in this position has been marked by a focus on efficiency and accuracy in payroll processing.
Previous Employment Experience
Before joining Vistra, Michael Schaefer worked at Ford-Werke GmbH as a Supervisor Wage Tax from 2014 to 2019. His responsibilities included managing wage tax compliance and advising on related matters. Prior to that, he held positions at Deloitte as a Professional from 2009 to 2012 and at WTS Group Aktiengesellschaft Steuerberatungsgesellschaft as a Tax Advisor from 2012 to 2013. He also worked at Schiff-Martini & Cie. GmbH as a Tax Advisor for nine months in 2013.
Education and Expertise
Michael Schaefer studied at Fachhochschule für Finanzen Nordkirchen, where he focused on Tax Law and earned a Diplom-Finanzwirt from 2006 to 2009. His educational background provides him with a strong foundation in tax regulations and financial compliance, which supports his professional roles in payroll and tax advisory.
Professional Qualifications
Michael Schaefer is a Certified German Tax Advisor, a qualification that underscores his expertise in tax-related matters. This certification complements his extensive experience in payroll management and tax advisory roles across various organizations.