VAT Director

PKF Littlejohn; Leeds; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

PKF Littlejohn LLP in Leeds seeks a dynamic Director VAT specialist to join our expanding Indirect Tax team led by the Head of VAT. The role focuses on delivering high-quality VAT advisory and compliance services for corporate clients across sectors.

You will liaise with HMRC, provide written advice, manage a sizable client portfolio, mentor staff, and contribute to growth through new client opportunities, training, and VAT due diligence.

Qualifications

• Proven skills in VAT advisory/compliance work gained in practice.
• A good understanding of VAT principles.
• Able to explain complex issues to non-VAT experts.
• Up-to-date technical skills across a broad range of client issues.
• Experience managing a large client portfolio.

Responsibilities

• Liaise with HMRC to help them discharge VAT obligations correctly and on time.
• Speak to clients (in person and/or on video calls) to understand issues and determine VAT treatment.
• Provide clear written advice that is well-researched with practical recommendations.
• Resolve differences of view about VAT treatment between clients and HMRC/suppliers/customers.
• Obtain written views from HMRC and participate in Alternative Dispute Resolution.
• Negotiate with HMRC and, where necessary, their suppliers/customers about VAT treatment.
• Liaise with VAT barristers to obtain robust opinions and manage a large client portfolio.
• Use client insights to generate new VAT work and opportunities for the team.

Skills

VAT advisory

VAT compliance

Client liaison

Technical VAT knowledge

Business advisory

Education

ACA/CA/CTA or equivalent

Law

Finance, Accounting, Economics

Job description

Overview of Firm

PKF Littlejohn is one of the leading challenger firms in the UK with offices in London, Leeds and Manchester. We are also an active member of PKF Global, an international network of legally independent accounting firms that gives us an on‑the‑ground presence in 150 countries around the world with access to more than 20,000 people across 440 offices globally.

We provide a full range of audit, accountancy, tax and advisory services, and are experts at simplifying complexity. We are particularly well‑known for working with complex clients with challenging issues in fast‑moving and highly technical areas, such as the insurance industry, the global capital markets and the not‑for‑profit sector. Our aim is to understand people, the organisations they run, and what matters to them, so we can simplify complexity and help them achieve their ambitions.

Introduction to the Division

Tax

The division provides VAT, Corporate Tax, Transfer Pricing, Personal Tax, Global Mobility and Employment Tax compliance and advisory services to a wide range of clients and prides itself on the quality of service, high degree of professionalism and personal approach that is offered to each and every client.

The division has a growing number of Corporate Clients, with the team regularly involved in a number of transactional pieces of advisory work, across a variety of sectors and covering a variety of taxation issues. These can impact both the company and individuals, for example, demergers, restructuring, acquisitions and disposals.

We have an exceptional opportunity for a dynamic, driven, and highly skilled Director VAT specialist to join our expanding Indirect Tax team, led by the Head of VAT. Ambitious and experienced Senior Managers seeking the next step in their career are also encouraged to apply.

After a transformative year that reshaped our client portfolio and team structure, there has never been a better time to become a pivotal member of this progressive, high‑performing team, helping to define the next phase of growth.

Responsibilities

Client Responsibilities

• Liaise with HMRC to help them discharge their VAT obligations correctly and on time so that they and their suppliers/customers do not incur unexpected VAT costs (whether absolute or cash‑flow), interest and penalties.
• Speak to clients (in person and/or on video calls) to understand their issues and determine the VAT treatment(s) of their transactions.
• Provide clear and concise written advice that is well‑researched, considered and contains practical/commercial recommendations.
• Resolve differences of view about the VAT treatment of transactions between clients and HMRC/suppliers/customers through insight, deep technical research and a pragmatic/commercial approach.
• Obtain written views from HMRC.
• Participate in Alternative Dispute Resolution.
• Negotiate with HMRC and, where necessary, their suppliers/customers in respect of the potential VAT treatment of transactions.
• Liaise with specialist VAT barristers to obtain robust opinions regarding VAT treatment. Profitably manage a large client portfolio, working with managers and assistant managers who deliver work/advice to clients.

Use insights gathered from client work and other people’s client work to proactively generate new clients and projects for the VAT team.

Work assignments

Work Will Include Support With The Following

• Tender proposals
• Assistance in VAT marketing initiatives
• Due diligence as part of Transaction Services projects
• VAT input as part of external audit services
• VAT input to insolvency/restructuring team
• Training staff/clients on VAT matters
• Investigation and resolution of VAT queries
• Preparation and submission of VAT registration applications and VAT returns.

People Management

PKF believes strongly in encouraging the personal development of each member of staff and supports and provides internal and external training courses, as well as professional updates on technical and non‑technical subjects. Individuals are expected to encourage and take an active role in the training and development of less experienced staff, including managing one or more direct reports and conducting their appraisals.

Opportunities

Career progression at PKF Littlejohn LLP is meritocratic. The VAT department is growing; there is therefore ample scope for progression. Career progression is reviewed not just at the annual appraisal.

Person Specification

• Proven skills in VAT advisory/compliance work gained in practice.
• A good understanding of VAT principles.
• Able to explain complex issues in a way non‑VAT experts will understand.
• Up‑to‑date technical skills and experience across a broad range of client business issues.
• Potentially (but not critical) one or more specialist areas, e.g. insurance sector.
• Ability to manage a large client portfolio profitably.
• Ability to convert queries from existing clients/contacts into significant projects.
• Ability to win new VAT work from existing clients/contacts that would not have arrived with the firm anyway.

Attributes

• Willingness/desire to help colleagues and clients resolve their issues.
• Tenacious, creative and enjoys solving puzzles/problems.
• Interested in trying to understand issues and other people’s perspectives.
• Thoughtful, reflective and well‑researched before offering views/opinions.
• Able to quickly identify main ideas/important points in written text or during verbal interactions.
• Organised, efficient and responsive.
• Clear and concise communication (both verbal and written).
• Willingness/desire to expand knowledge and improve skills (of self and others).
• Responsive/attentive.
• Proactive.
• Positive can‑do attitude.
• Calm.

Qualifications

Not essential, but helpful:

• ACA/CA/CTA or equivalent.
• Law.
• Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Studies or similar.
• English, History, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Classical Studies, International Studies.