FS VAT SENIOR MANAGER/ MANAGER TOP 20 LONDON

Our client a Top 20 Firm is looking for VAT Senior Manager/Manager for its London Office.

The ideal candidate must have strong technical skills and experience and have a detailed up to date knowledge of VAT issues. Particular experience of land and property, partial exemption and business/non-business apportionments would be desirable. They will also be pro-active in their approach to problem solving and technical research. Strong report writing skills and the ability to express ideas and simplify complex issues are essential, together with computer skills, particularly Excel.

The team has a wide and varied mix of clients which means that the successful candidate will be constantly exposed to different clients and a range of different technical problems. An ability to take responsibility for and be comfortable with complex matters in a timely manner is very important, together with strong personal organisation and time management skills. Candidates should be self-motivated, display a positive approach to work and have the ability to get things done. In addition, they should possess the confidence and professionalism to establish credibility at all levels, be commercially minded and have a clear perception of client requirements and to ensure that service delivery is of the highest standard.

As there is a potential for client work away from London, a clean driving licence and access to a car to be used for business purposes would be advantageous, together with the flexibility to travel away from London to visit clients across the UK.

Responsibilities

The role will provide an opportunity for the individual to work across a wide range of clients and individuals advising on many different aspects of VAT advisory, dispute resolution, transaction and liability matters.

Advice is provided through face to face meetings and via written correspondence to clients and the successful candidate will also be able to support internal partners and staff on a variety of different VAT issues.

This will be a challenging and interesting role dealing with representatives from different clients directly on a day to day basis. Strong interpersonal skills are therefore essential for the role as, while secondary to technical ability initially, they are critical to the development of the role.

With these in mind, the successful candidate will possess the following:

experience of VAT across sectors and a good understanding of VAT principles
have a commercial outlook when delivering advice and find opportunities to develop new business
good client handling skills
must be personable and able to explain complex issues in a way non-VAT experts will understand - dealing directly with non-VAT partners and other technical staff
must be able to demonstrate enthusiasm and motivation for selling services to existing clients of the firm and to non-clients, including taking responsibility for marketing projects
experience of managing client engagements
willingness to speak at seminars etc

The department

The London VAT group is part of the tax department. The tax department currently organises itself into five direct tax groups: one predominantly corporate tax group, three personal tax groups, a tax advisory group and a VAT group. The VAT group organises itself into two teams, one dealing with predominately charity and not for profit clients and the other focusing on commercial enterprises, including high net worth individuals and international VAT.

A VAT Senior Manager / Manager is being sought to join the VAT Group. The successful candidate would join a team of eight members of staff; two partners, one director (based in Edinburgh), two senior managers, one assistant manager, one senior and a trainee. The group also has access to support staff.

The role is for an individual to work in the commercial VAT team advising on client matters across the firm’s practice groups.