Senior VAT Accountant

Robertson Bell; City Of London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A mission-driven organization in London is seeking a Senior VAT Accountant to shape VAT strategy and ensure tax compliance across a diverse group structure. The ideal candidate will have a full professional accounting qualification and strong experience in VAT accounting and HMRC compliance. You'll prepare VAT returns, improve processes, and support international expansion. This role presents varied and challenging work with opportunities for professional collaboration and career development.

Qualifications

• Strong experience in VAT accounting, including HMRC compliance and filing.
• Proven ability to take ownership of end-to-end VAT processes and drive improvements.
• Experience interpreting and implementing external VAT advice and legislation changes.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and file quarterly VAT returns to HMRC and foreign jurisdictions.
• Ensure accurate monthly reconciliations of income, sales tax, and recoverable expenditure.
• Review and improve existing processes, introducing best practices and efficiencies.
• Lead year-end VAT accounting, liaising with auditors to ensure complete and accurate reporting.

Skills

VAT accounting

HMRC compliance

Cross-team collaboration

Communication skills

Planning

Education

Full professional accounting qualification

Job description

Take the lead in shaping VAT strategy and ensuring tax compliance across a complex group structure spanning multiple entities and sectors, as a Senior VAT Accountant.

Join a mission-driven organisation with both commercial and not-for-profit operations. As Senior VAT Accountant, you’ll bring clarity, ownership, and proactive insight to a fast-moving finance team, helping the organisation stay tax-efficient while supporting its wider objectives.

What you’ll gain:

• Ownership and influence – take responsibility for all group VAT matters, lead reconciliations and returns, and act as the key VAT contact across the organisation.
• Varied and challenging work – work across multiple business models, with both UK and international VAT considerations.
• Process improvement – identify efficiencies, strengthen controls, and improve reporting, helping shape how VAT is accounted for across the group.
• Professional collaboration – work alongside internal finance teams and external advisors, engaging proactively across different areas of the organisation.
• Career development – expand expertise in VAT and international taxation within a high-profile, mission-driven setting.

What you’ll do as the Senior VAT Accountant:

• Prepare and file quarterly VAT returns to HMRC and foreign jurisdictions.
• Ensure accurate monthly reconciliations of income, sales tax, and recoverable expenditure.
• Interpret external VAT advice and ensure correct accounting across the group.
• Review and improve existing processes, introducing best practices and efficiencies.
• Support international expansion, researching VAT registration requirements and compliance in new jurisdictions.
• Lead year-end VAT accounting, liaising with auditors to ensure complete and accurate reporting.
• Build proactive relationships across internal teams to ensure timely and accurate flow of information.

What you’ll need:

• A full professional accounting qualification.
• Strong experience in VAT accounting, including HMRC compliance and filing.
• Proven ability to take ownership of end-to-end VAT processes and drive improvements.
• Excellent planning, communication, and interpersonal skills, with a proactive approach to cross-team collaboration.
• Experience interpreting and implementing external VAT advice and legislation changes.

Ready to make an impact?

Apply now and bring your VAT expertise to a high-profile, mission-driven organisation navigating both commercial and public-interest challenges.