VAT Manager

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of clients, ensuring work is delivered to a high technical standard, within budget and in line with agreed deadlines.
• Work closely with the Partner and Directors on VAT advisory and consultancy projects, from initial scoping through to completion.
• Take ownership of smaller and medium-sized projects, managing deliverables and coordinating with clients and colleagues as required.
• Develop and maintain strong client relationships, acting as a trusted adviser and providing practical, commercially focused VAT advice.
• Work closely with the VAT Directors and wider team on complex technical assignments across a variety of sectors.
• Support clients across a diverse portfolio of sectors, including Not-for-Profit, Property, Financial Services, Media and Recruitment, as well as matters arising from Corporate Finance transactions.
• Advise clients on complex VAT matters including international VAT, property transactions, partial exemption methodologies, business/non-business apportionment arrangements and other technical VAT issues.
• Research technical issues, interpret legislation and HMRC guidance, and provide clear, practical recommendations.
• Identify VAT risks, planning opportunities and value-added solutions relevant to client circumstances.
• Build strong relationships with colleagues across the wider firm and respond effectively to internal referrals and technical queries.
• Support business development activities by identifying opportunities to provide additional services to existing and prospective clients.
• Manage WIP, budgets and billing for your portfolio, ensuring assignments are completed efficiently and profitably.
• Review VAT returns and associated workings prepared by compliance specialists where required.
• Manage HMRC enquiries, inspections, disputes and appeals, including supporting clients through reconsiderations and penalty matters where required.
• Support clients with VAT registrations, deregistrations and VAT grouping matters as required.
• Support and mentor junior members of the team, sharing technical knowledge and contributing to their professional development.
• Escalate complex or high-risk matters appropriately while demonstrating sound professional judgement and commercial awareness.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Strong VAT advisory experience gained within a professional services environment.
• Broad technical VAT knowledge across a range of sectors and transaction types.
• Experience within the Not-for-Profit and/or Property sectors would be advantageous.
• ATT, CTA, or equivalent professional qualification preferred.
• Ability to work collaboratively across multiple service lines and build effective internal networks.
• Experience liaising with HMRC and managing VAT enquiries.
• Broad technical skills are essential, and an ability to understand risk, and to appreciate when to call on the services of more senior members of the team.
• Strong organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• Experience managing client relationships and delivering advisory projects independently.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-specialists.
• Commercial awareness and an interest in identifying opportunities to support clients and develop business relationships.

Benefits