VAT Assistant Manager

ICAEW; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working policy (home up to 3/5)

Contributory pension scheme

25 days annual leave

Life Assurance

Flexible benefits and family-friendly

Profit-sharing plan (discretionary)

Discretionary bonus

Job summary

Saffery LLP is seeking a full-time VAT Assistant Manager to join its VAT advisory team in the UK. The role combines VAT expertise with data analytics and technology to enhance advisory services across a diverse client base, including owner-managed businesses, private wealth, corporates and charities.

The successful candidate will be ambitious, service-focused and keen to contribute to the development of technology-enabled VAT services while growing within a national practice.

Qualifications

• VAT knowledge across sectors and UK VAT principles for domestic and cross-border transactions.
• Interest/experience in land and property VAT matters is advantageous.
• Commercial and practical advisory mindset with focus on client objectives.
• Ability to draft clear, concise technical reports and other written advice.
• Strong IT and data analysis skills, including advanced Excel and interpretation of transactional data.
• Interest in using tax tech and data analytics tools to improve VAT advisory services.
• Experience with Power BI, Alteryx, SQL or similar data tools would be advantageous; training provided.
• Excellent client service standards and ability to discuss VAT matters with clients and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Advise clients on all aspects of VAT including land and property transactions, VAT recovery, partial exemption, place of supply and VAT liability matters.
• Use data analytics and tax technology tools to review client VAT data, identify risks and opportunities, support VAT health checks and reviews, and enhance quality of advice.
• Contribute to the development and improvement of the team’s VAT technology capabilities and data-driven services.
• Manage day-to-day advisory assignments, delivering client service face to face, virtually, and via written reports.
• Maintain high technical standards with a commercial, outcomes-focused approach for clients.
• Liaise with HMRC on behalf of clients to achieve positive VAT outcomes (registrations/deregistrations, errors, notices).
• Assist in drafting VAT articles and updates for publication on the firm’s external site.
• Involve in managing a small portfolio of VAT compliance clients, assisting with VAT returns.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Data analysis

Client service

Problem solving

Coaching trainees

Clear reports writing

Communication

Tools

Power BI

Alteryx

SQL

Data visualization

Job description

The role

We are looking for a full-time VAT Assistant Manager to join our VAT advisory team. This is an interesting and varied role which will require the successful candidate to advise on all aspects of VAT. The team is investing in the use of data analytics, AI and tax technology to enhance how VAT services are delivered. Our client base is a blend of owner managed businesses, private wealth and estates, mid to large-sized corporates and charities/NFPs, and the VAT advisory team advises clients across all sectors.

The successful candidate will be ambitious and keen to learn, understand the value of excellent client service, and want to be part of growing the VAT practice. They will also have an interest in the use of data analytics and technology within the tax profession and be keen to contribute to the development of technology-enabled VAT services.

The responsibilities

• Advising clients on all aspects of VAT including land and property transactions, VAT recovery and partial exemption, place of supply and VAT liability matters.
• Using data analytics and tax technology tools to review client VAT data, identify risks, anomalies and opportunities, support VAT health checks and compliance reviews, and enhance the quality and efficiency of the advice delivered to clients.
• Contributing to the development and continuous improvement of the team's VAT technology capabilities and data-driven service offerings.
• Managing day-to-day advisory assignments, providing client service face to face, through virtual meetings, effective written correspondence and formal advice reports.
• Achieving high technical standards with a commercial and practical focus on the outcomes that clients are trying to achieve.
• Liaising with HMRC on behalf of clients to achieve positive outcomes on matters such as VAT registrations and deregistrations, error corrections, and interest and penalty notices.
• Assisting in the drafting of VAT articles and updates for publication on the firm's external website.
• Involvement in managing a small portfolio of VAT compliance clients, assisting in the preparation, review and submission of VAT returns.

The team

The VAT team is a truly national VAT practice with clients from Inverness to Bournemouth. We advise a very broad range of clients and, whilst individuals within the team are encouraged to develop sector specialisms, we are not organised into technical silos.

The successful candidate would join an advisory team of eighteen comprising two partners, three directors, two senior managers, five managers, and six trainees.

The team works closely with the accounting and outsourcing teams, as well as audit and private wealth teams, across the firm.

You

• Experience of VAT across sectors and an excellent understanding of VAT principles for UK domestic and cross-border transactions.
• Interest and experience in land and property VAT matters would be particularly advantageous.
• A commercial and practical outlook when delivering advice, with the ability to understand the objectives and needs of clients.
• The ability to draft clear, coherent and concise technical reports and other forms of written advice.
• Strong IT and data analysis skills, including advanced Excel capabilities and experience of reviewing and interpreting transactional data.
• An interest in using and developing tax technology and data analytics tools to review client VAT data, identify VAT risks and opportunities, and improve the quality and efficiency of VAT advisory services.
• Experience of Power BI, Alteryx, SQL, data visualisation tools or similar technologies would be advantageous, although training and support will be provided.
• Excellent client service standards and the ability and confidence to discuss VAT matters directly with clients and obtain all necessary facts to provide practical, commercially focused advice.
• A personable approach and the ability to explain complex VAT issues to non-specialists, including non-tax colleagues and external stakeholders such as lawyers, land agents and banks.
• Enthusiasm and motivation for developing technical knowledge and keeping up to date with HMRC guidance, legislation and case law developments.
• A proactive approach to problem solving, technical research and continuous improvement.
• Curiosity about the application of technology, automation and data analytics within the VAT profession, with a willingness to contribute to innovative approaches to VAT reviews, compliance processes and advisory work.
• Experience of coaching, supporting and developing trainees.
• The ability to produce effective VAT updates and thought leadership pieces for both internal and external audiences.

Reward and Benefits

• A 35-hour working week with a hybrid working policy with the flexibility to work from home for up to three days per week (our core hours are 10-4)
• Excellent benefits including; contributory pension scheme, 25 days annual leave, Life Assurance cover and great flexible benefits and family friendly policies,
• Eligibility for the firm's Profit-Sharing Plan. Paid in December
• Eligibility for the discretionary bonus scheme

About us

Saffery LLP is an adviser to individuals and businesses across a range of sectors, providing market-leading accountancy, audit, business advisory, tax and VAT services. Founded in 1855, we are the UK's 15th largest accountancy firm.

When you work with us at Saffery, you work with people who know your name, not just a job title. We're a place shaped by friendly, intelligent people who are individually excellent and collectively exceptional. We’re committed to our clients, but also to our greatest asset - our people.

As a proud member of Nexia, a leading, international network of independent accounting and consulting firms, we've got access to local insight on a global scale.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Equality, diversity and inclusion is a top priority for us. With our ED&I strategy, Everyone Belongs, we are building on our positive work culture and implementing initiatives to improve diversity and strengthen our equitable culture of inclusion, led from the top.

Built on values of excellence, integrity, collaborative, progressive and responsible, Saffery is where Potential