VAT Manager, UBM plc, Kings Hill, Kent

We are currently partnering with UBM - One of Kent's most prestigious businesses who are recruiting for a VAT Manager. The ideal candidate will have at least 5 years VAT experience and have a recognised tax qualification (ATT/CTA).

Details about the Client

UBM plc, a FTSE listed business-to-business (B2B) events organiser, provides hundreds of live events each year and a range of related digital and print marketing products. A global organisation with offices in 70 cities across 20 countries UBM has three principle businesses: UBM Americas, UBM Asia and UBM EMEA. UBM is the largest 'pure-play' exhibitions organiser globally, and the biggest commercial organiser in the US, mainland China, India and Malaysia (Asia). The company's culture of innovation and collaboration brings its people together around common interests to create value, enhancing its ability to do exactly the same for UBM customers and the communities UBM serves.

Detailed Job Description

The role of VAT Manager is a key role in the Shared Service Centre in King's Hill. It will involve a combination of compliance, risk & controls, business advisory and staff management.

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Full ownership of the European VAT compliance, including the preparation and management of VAT returns.
• Reviewing and approving of VAT treatment for new events, manual invoices and credit notes.
• Preparing and reviewing UK partial exemption methodology, managing registration and deregistration of entities in the UK VAT Group.
• Managing VAT audits carried out by UBM Internal Audit and / or HMRC and other authorities.
• Identifying, preparing and reviewing of voluntary disclosures for approval by the Group Tax Department.
• Proactively monitoring changes in legislation.
• Performing analyses and review of VAT recorded by using OneSource to determine the high risk areas (e.g. manual invoices) and implementing corrective steps.
• Design and execute a review method for VAT processes to identify areas where controls can be enhanced, for example, based on SAO guidelines (issue logs, sign-offs).
• Ensuring operational (AR and AP) effectiveness and continuously improving the integrity of the processes relating to VAT.
• Providing advice to our Business Process Outsourcing team (BPO) in India and Poland on VAT queries raised by suppliers and customers.
• Providing support to UBM businesses in relation to business transactions ensuring that VAT risks are appropriately managed.
• Managing all aspects of VAT compliance and creating a motivating and supportive environment for one to two direct reports (e.g. tax assistant).

Candidate's Profile

• The ideal candidate will be a graduate with a relevant Tax qualification (ATT, CTA or equivalent).
• Minimum 5 years' experience focussed on managing UK VAT affairs in a large organisation.
• Strong financial analysis skills.
• Effective communication – able to put across messages clearly and concisely.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential to work effectively with finance managers, colleagues and external parties.
• Advanced/Intermediate use of Microsoft Excel.
• Knowledge of Oracle and OneSource (not essential but advantageous).
• Excellent prioritisation and organisational skills, including planning and delivery to challenging deadlines.