Iris Schaefer graduated as Diplom-Kauffrau, certified auditor and tax adviser and is a widely acknowledged expert in VAT affairs. She acquired her professional know how as VAT consultant for the so called “Big Four” firms. That position took her for one year to Switzerland to prepare the country’s introduction of VAT. In Estonia and Latvia she advised the governments in matters of EU-compatibility of the VAT law. Moreover, Iris Schaefer assumes several coaching jobs and is a recognized editor in the field of VAT law. She joined the VAT-Commentary “Keller / Bustorff” as co-author and is the publisher of the book “Umsatzsteuer / The German VAT Law”. Iris Schaefer holds seats in the tax advisers’ as well as in the auditors’ VAT committee and on the international stage is listed as a partner of VAT Forum CV. C.K.