Interim Head of VAT, London, to £700 per day (7 month contract)

Interim Head of VAT role with an international banking group on a 7 month contract. Must be available to start from 24 November and have a background in VAT within Banking / Financial Services.

Purpose of the role:

As the Head of UK VAT, delegated responsibility from the UK Head of Tax for managing UK VAT for the group and advising on UK VAT issues. Primary contact for the business to ensure the group adheres to UK VAT law and meets all obligations by HMRC.

Responsible for managing UK VAT issues including:

* Managing and overseeing UK VAT advice to business lines and functions across the group CIB and non CIB including new products, transactions and internal reorganisations.

* Advising on a wide variety of UK VAT issues including fund management, corporate finance, commodities, real estate, leasing as well as retail and investment banking.

* Lead role in managing UK VAT risk for the group and keeping up to date with legislative developments; disseminating to the group as appropriate.

* Overall management of UK VAT advisory and compliance for the subsidiaries through VAT reviews and regular meetings.

* Managing partial exemption matters and dealing with HMRC VAT queries as appropriate.

* Review of the UK VAT group return prepared by the VAT Manager.

* Managing relationship with the Group Tax Department (Head office) for UK VAT matters.

* Driving enhancements to the permanent control framework covering UK VAT.

* Overseeing process improvements and innovation, including VAT reporting requirements for IT systems.

* Management and development of the VAT Manager.

* Representing the group at industry bodies on VAT matters where required.

Skills required:

* Strong track record of providing VAT advice in the financial services industry including experience of advising on commodity transactions and leasing.

* Effective & confident written and verbal communication skills

* Diligent and dependable

* Good Excel skills

* Wide variety of VAT advisory expertise

* Strong analytical skills