Senior Tax Accountant

Alzheimers Society; Newsham; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Double‑matched pension

27 days annual leave

Health Shield Cash Plan

Job summary

Alzheimer’s Society seeks a Senior Tax Accountant to lead and deliver the charity’s tax function, driving continuous improvements across VAT, Corporation Tax and Gift Aid. You will optimise processes, implement controls, and ensure compliance while collaborating with Finance teams and external bodies.

The role requires CCAB qualification and strong experience in UK tax, with the ability to translate complex rules into practical guidance across the organisation.

Qualifications

• Qualified CCAB accountant with post-qualification experience.
• Strong VAT, Corporation Tax and Gift Aid knowledge.
• Proven track record in leading tax process improvements.

Responsibilities

• Own delivering and improving the tax function.
• Prepare VAT returns and manage partial exemption calculations.
• Oversee Corporation Tax, Gift Aid and related compliance.
• Build relationships with HMRC and provide clear tax guidance.

Skills

Process improvement

Tax expertise

Regulatory knowledge

Stakeholder engagement

Education

CCAB qualification

Tools

Unit4 ERP

Job description

What if your ability to transform tax processes could unlock thousands of pounds in savings while building best-in-class compliance systems for one of the UK's biggest charities?

About the role:

As a Senior Tax Accountant within our Finance & Assurance directorate, you'll be part of a team that's transforming how we deliver financial partnership across the organisation. We're on an exciting journey to become the Society's single point of financial truth. We aim to be trusted partners and credible experts who provide the insight and support the organisation needs to make faster, better-informed decisions.

This is a highly technical, hands‑on role where you'll own and improve our tax function. You'll be responsible for the essential technical delivery, preparing VAT returns, managing partial exemption calculations, overseeing Corporation Tax and Gift Aid, and ensuring we meet every regulatory requirement. But what sets this role apart is the opportunity to transform how we deliver this work. You'll drive continuous improvement across all tax processes, identifying inefficiencies, implementing automation, redesigning workflows, and developing robust controls that optimiser our position while maintaining compliance. This is your opportunity to leave your mark on a critical area of the finance function.

Your process improvement mindset and ability to explain complex matters clearly, will help colleagues understand and manage tax effectively.

About you:

You're a qualified accountant with strong process improvement experience who thrives on identifying inefficiencies and implementing better ways of working. You're excited by the prospect of shaping an entire area within a finance function.

You'll bring strong expertise in VAT compliance, alongside broader familiarity with Corporation Tax, Gift Aid, and other statutory obligations. Above all, you'll bring your sound judgment, expertise and determination to find positive solutions and the best way forward for the charity.

You'll have:

• Proven experience driving process improvements in a finance environment, demonstrating where you've identified inefficiencies, redesigned workflows, or delivered measurable improvements.
• A CCAB qualification is essential with relevant post-qualification experience.
• Advanced technical knowledge of VAT, Corporation Tax, Gift Aid, or other UK tax regulations.
• Significant experience preparing and reviewing VAT returns for large, complex organisations, including partial exemption.
• The ability to apply your technical knowledge to complex tax scenarios, with a problem‑solving approach to navigating regulations.
• Proven experience engaging with HMRC or other regulatory bodies, demonstrating credibility and professionalism in external relationships while effectively resolving complex tax queries.
• Demonstrated financial accounting experience in a large, complex organisation.
• The ability to work effectively across departments and at all levels, translating complex tax matters into practical guidance.
• Experience with cloud‑based ERP systems (we use Unit4) and a mindset of continuous improvement.

What you'll focus on:

• Leading the tax function and driving continuous improvement across tax processes.
• Developing robust tax processes and controls that optimise our position while ensuring compliance.
• Overseeing VAT compliance – preparing and reviewing accurate VAT returns, managing partial exemption calculations, and optimising our VAT position.
• Overseeing Corporation Tax and Gift Aid compliance as well as other statutory tax obligations.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with HMRC, managing enquiries or audits with professionalism.
• Providing clear tax guidance, training and support across the Society, empowering colleagues to make tax‑efficient decisions.
• Working seamlessly with colleagues across the Finance team to provide integrated financial partnership, while role‑modelling our values.

This is a great opportunity to lead and shape our tax function, building on what's already in place to help protect the charity's resources and ensure we can have the greatest possible impact for people affected by dementia.

This role can be offered on a full time basis of 35 hours per week or on a part‑time basis of 28 hours per week.

Recruitment Process:

Application deadline: Sunday 27th September at 23:59pm

Interviews will begin: Wednesday 7th October and Thursday 8th October

About Alzheimer's Society - who are we and what's our mission?

Dementia is the UK's biggest killer. One in three people born in the UK today will develop dementia in their lifetime.

At Alzheimer's Society, we're the UK's leading dementia charity and the only one to tackle all aspects of dementia by giving help and hope to people living with dementia today and in the future. We give vital support to people facing the most frightening times of their lives, while also funding ground‑breaking research and campaigning to make dementia the priority it should be.

Together with our supporters, we're working towards a world where dementia no longer devastates lives. Our values make sure that our focus is clear for the challenges and opportunities ahead and remind us of what we all stand for.

Our commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging

We need to ensure the voices around our table better reflect and understand the communities we exist to serve. We strongly encourage individuals to apply who have a disability, impairment or health condition or individuals who identify as part of a minority ethnic background, as these groups are currently under‑represented at Alzheimer's Society.

Our hiring process

We want you to bring your whole self to the process. Applications are anonymised until interview stage, and we're happy to support any adjustments. Share your feedback via our candidate survey when applying to help us improve. We may close early if we receive high interest (with 48 hours' notice). Some roles may require a DBS check as part of our safer recruitment commitment. Thinking about using AI during the recruitment process? We know this can be helpful in many ways but remember to include your personal and authentic self too. Your voice and experience are what really set you apart.

Giving back to you

At Alzheimer's Society, we value our people and take a total reward approach to pay and benefits. You'll enjoy a generous double‑matched pension scheme, 27 days' annual leave (plus bank holidays and wellbeing days), and access to a free Health Shield Cash Plan, 24/7 EAP, Thrive mental wellbeing support, and virtual GP services. Our Society Plus platform offers exclusive discounts, wellbeing resources, and recognition schemes, while our flexible working, family‑friendly policies, and life assurance provide peace of mind and work/life balance. We also offer a free Will‑writing service and long service awards to recognise your ongoing commitment.

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