VAT Analyst - 12-month FTC

Centrica; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading energy company is seeking a VAT Analyst to oversee VAT return preparation and compliance. The role involves collaborating with the Accounts Payable team and the tax department to ensure accurate reporting and documentation. Candidates should have a degree in Accounting or Finance, experience in VAT analysis, and familiarity with SAP systems. This position offers flexible working arrangements with occasional office visits in Windsor.

Qualifications

• Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field.
• Professional qualification in VAT or taxation is a plus.
• Experience in VAT analysis, focusing on reconciliation and reporting.
• Strong understanding of double-entry accounting principles.
• Hands-on experience with SAP system for VAT and general ledger processes.

Responsibilities

• Support team in preparing and reconciling VAT returns.
• Reconcile VAT returns ensuring data integrity.
• Work with Accounts Payable team on VAT-related queries.
• Partner with tax department to ensure compliance.
• Prepare detailed VAT reports for stakeholders.

Skills

VAT analysis

Double-entry accounting

SAP system expertise

Analytical skills

Problem-solving capabilities

Interpersonal skills

Education

Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business

Professional qualification in VAT or taxation

Tools

SAP system

Excel

Job description

About the role

We have a great opportunity for a VAT Analyst to join our Tax team! As a VAT Analyst, you will oversee the preparation, review, and reconciliation of VAT returns ensuring compliance with regulations and accuracy in submissions.

This role requires a proactive and accountable professional with robust accounting knowledge, including double-entry principles, journal postings, SAP system expertise, and VAT ledger management. You will collaborate with the Accounts Payable (AP) team, tax professionals, and cross-functional departments to ensure precise VAT reporting while maintaining and improving process documentation and policies.

Location - We work flexibly in line with our Flexible First working arrangements believing that empowered colleagues are happier and more productive. The successful candidate will, however, need to be comfortable commuting to our Windsor office circa 2-4 times per month.

This opportunity is for a 12-month FTC/secondment.

Responsibilities of the role

• VAT Compliance: Support the team in preparing, reviewing and reconciling VAT returns for UK and European countries, ensuring timely and compliant submissions.

• VAT Returns Reconciliation: Reconcile VAT returns ensuring data integrity and compliance with VAT regulations, analysing discrepancies and resolving them efficiently to maintain accurate reporting. Apply appropriate VAT rates, exemptions, and sector-specific rules to ensure compliance.

• Collaboration with AP Team: Work with the Accounts Payable team to ensure accurate processing of invoices and payments for VAT purposes and address and resolve VAT-related queries raised by the AP team to ensure smooth operations.

• Collaboration with Tax Department: Partner with the tax department to ensure VAT filings and reports comply with local and international regulations. Assist during VAT audits, ensuring all required documentation is accurate and up-to-date.

• Compliance controls: Operate key tax compliance controls liaising with other finance and business teams to manage and operate those controls.

• Data Management and Reporting: Utilise advanced Excel skills to analyse and manage VAT-related data. Prepare detailed VAT reports for stakeholders, audits, and regulatory submissions, ensuring accuracy and completeness. Ensure VAT-related data aligns with SAP system records and reconcile discrepancies when identified.

• Process Documentation and Policy Development: Create, update, or design new process notes or policies as required to address evolving business needs and compliance standards. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to standardise and enhance VAT-related processes and policies. Ensure all documentation is clear, accessible, and adheres to relevant organisational and regulatory standards.

• Continuous Improvement: Identify and implement improvements in VAT reconciliation, reporting, and documentation processes. Proactively streamline workflows to enhance data accuracy and overall efficiency.

Here's what we're looking for

• Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field.

• Professional qualification in VAT or taxation is a plus.

• Experience in VAT analysis, focusing on reconciliation and reporting.

• Strong understanding of double-entry accounting principles, journal postings, and VAT ledger management.

• Hands-on experience with SAP system for VAT and general ledger processes.

• Proven experience in process documentation and policy development.

• Proactive, self-motivated, and accountable for work accuracy and quality.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.

• A collaborative team player with excellent interpersonal abilities to build and maintain relationships across departments.