VAT Manager - 1 day per week in London office

VAT Manager

The VAT team is seeking experienced Managers to join a dynamic and expanding department. This is a pivotal role, requiring a strong client focus and the ability to engage credibly and professionally with clients. Excellent technical VAT knowledge is essential, as is the ability to communicate complex VAT concepts clearly to non-specialists. The ideal candidate will be a generalist with solid experience across key specialisms including Not-for-Profit (NFP), Recruitment (REC), Corporate Finance, Media, and International VAT.

• Primarily advisory-focused, with occasional support required for the compliance function.
• May be asked to review VAT returns and related assumptions prepared by compliance specialists before submission to HMRC.
• Manage a portfolio of clients, ensuring deadlines are met, work is completed within budget, and jobs are finalised efficiently to minimise senior review time.
• Advisory work spans a broad range of sectors, with property and NFP being particularly prominent.
• A broad understanding of VAT issues is preferred over deep specialism in one area-emphasis is on problem-solving rather than immediate answers.
• Experience in NFP or property sectors is especially desirable.
• Collaborate closely with VAT Managers and Directors across various advisory and consultancy projects.
• Take ownership of smaller projects and liaise directly with clients and colleagues, requiring confidence and the ability to work independently.
• Handle internal queries and referrals, necessitating strong internal relationship management.
• Flexibility and the ability to manage deadlines and internal stakeholders are crucial.
• Research technical points in legislation and propose practical tax planning ideas where relevant.
• Experience dealing with HMRC and understanding departmental procedures is beneficial.
• Strong technical skills and awareness of risk are essential, including knowing when to escalate to senior team members.
• Basic understanding of budgets and billing is helpful.
• Experience in business development or "selling" services is advantageous.
• Ability to manage internal client relationships is key.

VAT Advisory:

• Manage client VAT relationships across diverse industries.
• Advise on international services, especially where cross-border establishments are involved.
• Handle property-related VAT issues for both commercial and NFP clients.
• Review contracts and advise on appropriate VAT wording.
• Liaise with HMRC on a range of matters, from registrations to disputes and penalties.
• Support senior team members on complex advisory projects.
• Develop partial exemption special methods and business/non-business apportionments.
• Provide follow-up advice after assurance visits.
• Conduct VAT reviews and health checks.
• Support clients during VAT inspections.
• Handle reconsiderations of HMRC decisions.

VAT Compliance:

• Occasionally prepare and submit VAT returns for businesses of varying complexity.
• Review VAT returns prepared by compliance staff.
• Manage VAT registrations, de-registrations, and groupings/de-groupings.

VAT Training and Marketing:

• Build strong internal relationships to encourage direct work referrals.
• Prepare marketing materials on VAT initiatives and relevant case law.
• Attend biweekly meetings and contribute to weekly VAT updates.

Additional Duties:

• Attend client gatherings and seminars to strengthen relationships and encourage attendance.
• Participate in seminars and events to promote the firm and build client rapport.
• Assist in preparing and presenting new client pitches.
• Engage in social activities regularly to foster team relationships.

To discuss this role further, please contact Maisie Horrell on 02074152845 or email [email protected]

Please note our advertisements use PQE/salary levels purely as a guide. However, we are happy to consider applications from all candidates who are able to demonstrate the skills necessary to fulfil the role.

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Brewer Morris was established in 1987 as the UK's first recruitment consultancy to focus exclusively on the recruitment of taxation professionals.

We are firmly established as a market leader and take great pride in the enormous number of long-term business relationships that we have developed throughout the tax world. We have also expanded our remit into the recruitment of Treasury professionals. This enables us to better serve our clients’ needs in niche areas and we firmly believe this business line complements the Tax specialist recruitment that you have come to know and trust. From offices based in London, Melbourne and Sydney we recruit across the UK, Europe, The Middle East, Australia and New Zealand.

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