Senior VAT Manager

Bishop Fleming; West of England; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27–30 days holiday

Hybrid and flexible working

Contributory pension scheme

Life assurance

Critical illness cover

Simply Health cashback plan

Perkbox discounts

Social events with committees

Development opportunities

Job summary

Bishop Fleming is seeking an experienced VAT professional to lead and expand our VAT advisory offering. You will work with a high-calibre VAT team, shape client solutions, and drive business development while mentoring junior staff.

A clear progression path to Director awaits in a flexible, hybrid working environment. The role focuses on VAT strategy for corporates, international businesses, education and public sector clients, with opportunities to specialize in property VAT, partial exemption

Qualifications

• Extensive VAT experience gained from accountancy practice or HMRC environment.
• Proven track record of growing fee revenues across multiple VAT clients and sectors.
• Experience advising on Customs Duty alongside VAT considered beneficial.
• Examples of successful business development activity you have led.
• People management experience and leadership能力.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to build rapport at all levels.
• Desire to contribute to the overall success of Bishop Fleming.

Responsibilities

• Advising UK and international clients on VAT and indirect tax implications of international trade.
• Advising education and public sector clients on VAT liability and recovery, including partial exemption.
• Analyzing VAT implications of residential and commercial property transactions.
• Managing client relationships and expectations, scoping proposals, budgets and billing.
• Communicating key VAT developments internally and externally via articles, webinars and social media.
• Contributing to business development and mentoring junior team members.

Skills

VAT expertise

Business development

People management

Client relationship management

Excellent communication

Cross-sector experience

Advisory services

Education

CTA (Chartered Tax Adviser)

Job description

About this opportunity

Following our continued growth across the business, we’re looking for an experienced VAT professional to play a leading role in shaping and expanding our VAT offering, supported by our outstanding VAT team across the firm. We’re open to applications from both experienced VAT Senior Managers and ambitious VAT Managers ready to take the next step in their career. This is a fantastic opportunity to take ownership, drive business development activity, build long-term client relationships and make a visible impact within one of the UK's fastest‑growing accountancy firms. As a certified Great Place to Work® for the fourth consecutive year, we offer a clear pathway for progression, genuine flexibility, and a culture that empowers our people to thrive both professionally and personally. Working exclusively in VAT advisory, you’ll support a varied client base spanning corporates, international businesses, educational institutions, charities and public sector organisations with complex technical projects including property VAT, partial exemption, cross‑border issues, M&A transactions and dealings with HMRC. You’ll enjoy the autonomy to develop your specialisms alongside a clear route for future progression. You will also work closely with our VAT Partner and wider tax leadership team to support the continued growth of our VAT service line, including developing client relationships, identifying business development opportunities and mentoring junior team members. This opportunity offers a clear career path to Director within an organization that promotes hybrid and flexible working.

Your responsibilities will include

• Advising UK and international clients on the VAT and other indirect tax implications of international trade
• Advising education and public sector clients on VAT liability of income and VAT recovery including partial exemption and business/non-business
• Analysing the VAT implications of residential and commercial property transactions and developments
• Managing client relationships and expectations
• Scoping project proposals, monitoring budgets and billing
• Communicating key VAT developments internally and externally with articles, webinars and social media
• Contributing to business development activities and becoming actively involved in our key sector groups such as Manufacturing, Education and Real Estate

What we are looking for

To be considered for the role, you will need to have:

• Extensive VAT experience gained from either an accountancy practice or HMRC environment. Ideally you will be CTA qualified, but this isn’t essential
• Experience of managing a diverse portfolio of VAT clients across multiple sectors with a proven track record of growing fee revenues
• Some experience of advising on Customs Duty considerations alongside VAT would be beneficial
• Examples of successful business development activity you have led
• People Management Experience
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills that enable you to build rapport with people at all levels
• A strong desire to contribute to the overall success of Bishop Fleming

Why join us

We are an award‑winning certified Great Place to Work® provider of Audit, Accountancy, Tax and Advisory services in the South West and West Midlands. With a turnover of £48m, we saw growth of almost 15% over the last 12 months. We are also currently ranked fifth in the Accountancy Age Mid‑Tier Power Index and are the largest provider of audit services to multi‑academy trusts in the academy sector. From owner‑managed businesses, SMEs, and large businesses; to entrepreneurs and private individuals; we offer full services across a diverse range of sectors. With 9 offices, just under 60 partners, and over 500 people, we have the capability and capacity to meet our clients’ needs. From owner‑managed businesses to large businesses we have the full-service expertise to advise our clients.

We are also a member of Kreston Global, a global network of independent accounting firms in more than 100 countries.

We also offer a multifaceted benefits package, which includes:

• 27 -30 days holiday, plus bank holidays
• Extra time off at Christmas - in addition to your annual leave entitlement, we close between Christmas and New Year
• Hybrid and flexible working
• A contributory pension scheme
• Life assurance
• Critical illness cover
• Simply Health cashback plan including access to 24/7 online GP service and counselling services
• Perkbox discounts and rewards platform with over 4,000 perks and discounts
• Social events with active social committees that plan internal and external events
• Numerous opportunities for development

We welcome applicants seeking flexible working arrangements, including part time working or working from home, to support responsibilities such as caring commitments, further study, or interests outside of work.

We are committed to welcoming new people into an inclusive working environment, where everyone has equal opportunity to reach their full potential.

We support a culture where people are valued and treated with respect, and where differences are understood and celebrated.

The more varied our workforce, the broader the expertise within our business. The broader our expertise, the greater our chances of innovation and success.

That’s why we’re committed to equality of opportunity, diversity and inclusion at every level.

As part of our recruitment process and commitment to maintaining a safe and compliant working environment, we conduct background checks on all successful applicants. These checks will include verification of references, confirmation of right to work in the UK, and, where applicable, a standard or enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Further details will be provided during the recruitment process.