VAT Manager, BDO - Ipswich

This role will provide VAT compliance and advisory services to a wide range of clients.

The primary responsibility will be to deal with all matters relating to the management of a portfolio of clients. You will also provide assistance to senior Managers/Directors/Principals/Partners in both client work and in the management of the group and on occasions the practice. Will be involved in special assignments on an ad hoc basis.

A key part of the role requires the individual to actively seek, and keep your line manager informed about, any new business opportunities arising on existing and new clients.

Responsibilities

Principal Accountabilities

Project involvement:
• To act as a key point of contact within the firm for the client, together with the Senior Manager/Partner. This will involve responding quickly to, as well as anticipating, client requests/needs, keeping clients informed of progress in relation to all aspects of the service provided, and maintaining regular contact with clients
• There will be an expectation that you will take full responsibility for project delivery on their portfolio
• Manage a portfolio of clients including control of billings and cash collection within the firms criteria
• Review of work prepared by more junior members of staff
• Liaise with HMRC
• To ensure assignments are completed within agreed budgets and keep client senior manager/Partner /Principle informed of overruns and plan staff assignments in order to give an appropriate spread of experience
• Ensure that the firm’s quality control procedures are adhered to including second partner review
• Identify risk and technical matters, as well as selling opportunities, to the Senior Manager/Partner/Principle/ Senior Manager, whilst exercising judgement within agreed parameters.
• Identify risk and technical matters, as well as selling opportunities, to the Partner/Principal/Senior Manager, whilst exercising judgement within agreed parameters.

Management:
• Must provide overall support on client matters and assist in the management of the group, this will include support at times for the recruitment and appraising of staff
• Will work as part of management team with other Tax managers within the business group, and provide support to the rest of the Tax team
• Actively participate in the management of the group through partner/manager meetings and by attendance at social functions

• Training must be provided to more junior staff both on the job and through monitoring exam and on the job performance, whilst consistently providing feedback
• Counsel, appraise, develop and motivate staff as appropriate
• Responsible for coaching and developing junior members of staff

Sales and Marketing:
• Must be able to recognise business and sales opportunities and progress these forward with Partner support
• Participate in bids/proposals for new work
• Able to take advantage of marketing/PR opportunities
• Develop own network of contacts internally and externally and start winning own work

Communication and representation:
• Develop contact with clients at senior level and maintain contact with other levels as appropriate to ensure the firm has the confidence of the client
• Act as a liaison between the client and other specialist service groups within BDO
• Contribute centrally by lecturing on internal courses
• To work on own initiative
• Consult with colleagues and Partners on technical and risk matters.

Requirements

Technical Knowledge and Professional Qualifications

• Staff management experience
• Maintain an in depth, up to date, knowledge of taxation
• Ability to profitably manage a client portfolio
• To actively seek opportunities for developing new clients and for selling new services to existing clients
• Experience of dealing direct with clients
• Educated to degree level, and/or CTA and/or ACA qualified or equivalent
• Demonstrable post qualified experience