VAT Associate Director

Purpose of Role

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Associate VAT Director to work closely with our Tax Director to identify and deliver advisory projects with a commercial mindset. The candidate is expected to develop junior members of the team and contribute to the strategic growth of the VAT service line playing an active role in winning new business opportunities from existing clients and through Business Development activities.

You would ideally have 5+ years of post-qualification experience and demonstrable strong technical skills and have the ability to communicate VAT advice in a simple manner.

You will be highly proficient in taking full ownership and strategic oversight of a portfolio of complex clients, possessing deep expertise in a wide range of VAT compliance services, substantial advisory experience, and a strong understanding of international VAT matters.

This role requires you to be a key member of the department's leadership team, taking a leading role in the strategic development and implementation of departmental objectives. You should be able to collaborate with colleagues in order to provide holistic advice and service delivery.

Furthermore, you will be responsible for setting and maintaining high standards for client service, engagement, and profitability. You will champion a positive and collaborative work environment, fostering strong team morale and promoting a culture of continuous improvement amongst the managers and wider team.

This role demands strong organisation, project management and communication skills, coupled with comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of UK VAT and have an awareness of international VAT principles. You will be expected to be technically strong acting as an expert to the rest of the department and wider teams on complex VAT engagements which may have an international or advisory theme.

This will also include you contributing to thought leadership within the firm and playing a key role in wider strategic initiatives for the firm around client service, office culture and new business generation.

The candidate should be confident and maintain a self-sufficient approach to managing their own work and that of the VAT team and demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills whilst working in a collaborative style and showing sound judgement.

Key Accountabilities

· Take ownership of VAT service line, ensuring robust procedures are in place, managing risk, effective decisions and maintaining compliance standards at all times.

· Drive commercial performance by identifying and implementing new opportunities for additional billing, special projects to contribute to departmental sales targets and leading on sales decisions.

· Build strong relationships with other London office departments and the wider group promoting effective cross-departmental client service, collaboration, client delivery and good problem-solving on complex challenges

· Responsibility for VAT new business proposal processes, collaborating with the VAT team for the preparation of commercial and accurate proposals and engagement letters for new client opportunities

· Review VAT returns for the more significant and complex clients

· Win, assist and lead on special VAT project work, with liaisons with seniors, where appropriate

· Manage WIP and billing for your portfolio of clients

· Assist with the appraisal process for the team with other managers, including the collection of feedback from the team

· Ensure constant training development and progress with exams / CPD records are up to date

· Complete accurate timesheets of working time

· Timesheet reviews and approvals for reporting lines

Knowledge & Experience

· Professionally qualified with ICAEW, ACCA or CTA

· 5+ years post qualification with extensive management experience of a medium sized team

· Ability to grow and develop team members and encourage a positive working environment

· Excellent UK VAT knowledge and ability to share that knowledge with team and colleagues

· Outstanding client service skills

· Strong ability to work with seniors and leaders to deploy strategies and develop commercial offering

· International VAT experience and awareness

· Strong commercial performer, including budget setting, time cost management and good performance of sales targets and delivery

· Development of their own network which might present some new client opportunities

· Ability to work under pressure and deal with client service issues

· Work with our global network of Local Service Providers in delivering timely and quality advice to our clients

· Team player and ability to work as part of management team

· Work with the Tax Director to ensure full compliance with our risk management procedures

· Good communicator and fun to work with

You can expect from us:

· A competitive salary and company benefits

· To be welcomed and be part of a 1,300+ strong workforce across 30+ global offices

· The ability to play a key role in leading a strong and growing tax department which looks after high value clients with a key focus for compliance with tax advisory and international aspects

· A challenging portfolio of clients including internationally headquartered globally expanding businesses, including several groups with many operating in the Tech sector together with owner managed and entrepreneurial businesses, where you will become their key contact, and help manage all compliance and advisory matters

· The ability to support the Tax Director and the senior leadership team on various high value client engagements across specific VAT work and wider client management

· Opportunity to play a strong role as part of the management team including supporting and leading on certain aspects including overall tax strategy, corporate growth and recruitment of personnel

· Commitment on your coaching and personal development

· Lots of social, fun events and charity activities