VAT Manager

Rutherford Briant Recruitment; Crawley; Hybrid; GBP 57,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

25 days leave + bank holidays

Bonus scheme

Structured career development

Job summary

Rutherford Briant is recruiting a VAT Manager for a well-established accountancy and business advisory firm in the UK. You will join a growing indirect tax team, advising a mix of owner-managed and corporate clients on complex VAT issues and commercial outcomes.

You will lead advisory and compliance work, manage assignments and develop your own technical interests while mentoring others. The role offers hybrid working, a supportive team, and a clear path to progression.

Qualifications

• Strong UK VAT experience gained in an accountancy practice, consultancy, HMRC or in-house environment.
• Ability to manage client relationships and translate complex VAT legislation into practical advice.
• Professional qualification such as ATT/CTA is advantageous, practical VAT experience is also key.

Responsibilities

• Manage a varied portfolio of VAT advisory and compliance assignments.
• Advise clients on complex VAT matters, including partial exemption, land and property, and international transactions.
• Support clients with VAT aspects of acquisitions, disposals and restructures.
• Manage HMRC enquiries, disclosures and negotiations.
• Review VAT processes to identify risk, improvement or opportunities.
• Oversee projects from scoping to delivery, ensuring timely, commercial outcomes.
• Build relationships with clients and act as a key VAT contact.
• Collaborate with tax, audit, accounts and corporate finance teams to provide joined-up advice.
• Identify opportunities to grow the VAT service across existing clients.
• Delegate work to juniors and support their technical development.
• Keep clients and colleagues informed of VAT legislative developments.

Skills

UK VAT experience

Client management

VAT advisory

Leadership

Communication skills

Education

ATT/CTA or equivalent

Job description

Are you an experienced VAT professional looking for greater variety, responsibility and scope to develop your career?

Rutherford Briant are recruiting a VAT Manager for a well-established accountancy and business advisory firm. This is an opportunity to join a growing indirect tax team, working with an interesting mix of owner-managed businesses, larger corporate groups and international organisations.

The role offers considerably more than reviewing VAT returns. You will act as a trusted adviser to clients, helping them navigate complex VAT matters and providing practical, commercially focused advice. There is flexibility to develop your own areas of technical interest while building broader management, client development and leadership experience.

What you will do:

• Manage a varied portfolio of VAT advisory and compliance assignments
• Advise clients on complex VAT matters, potentially including partial exemption, land and property, international transactions and business/non-business activities
• Support clients with the VAT aspects of acquisitions, disposals and business restructures
• Manage HMRC enquiries, disclosures and other negotiations
• Review VAT processes and identify areas of risk, improvement or potential opportunity
• Oversee projects from initial scoping through to delivery, ensuring work is completed accurately, commercially and within agreed timescales
• Build trusted relationships with clients and become a key point of contact for VAT advice
• Work closely with colleagues across tax, audit, accounts and corporate finance to provide joined-up advice
• Identify opportunities to support existing clients and contribute to the continued growth of the VAT service
• Delegate work to junior colleagues, review their output and support their technical development
• Keep clients and colleagues informed of relevant legislative and technical developments

What we are looking for:

You will have strong UK VAT experience gained within an accountancy practice, specialist consultancy, HMRC or a relevant in-house environment. You should be comfortable managing client relationships and translating complex legislation into clear, practical advice.

ATT, CTA or another relevant professional qualification would be advantageous, although substantial practical VAT experience will be equally important.

You will also bring:

• Good technical knowledge across a range of VAT matters
• Experience managing advisory assignments and competing deadlines
• A commercial and pragmatic approach to problem solving
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• The confidence to build relationships with clients and colleagues
• An interest in developing others and contributing to the growth of the team

The opportunity:

This position would suit an established VAT Manager or an experienced Assistant Manager ready to take the next step. You will join a supportive team with access to complex work, experienced specialists and genuine scope to develop your own profile and areas of expertise.

The firm offers:

• Salary of £57,000-£60,500
• Hybrid working, typically including two days working from home
• Flexible working around core hours
• 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to buy or sell additional days
• bonus and employee recognition scheme
• Structured career development and progression

Rutherford Briant is passionate about equity, diversity, and inclusion. We seek individuals from the widest talent pool and encourage underrepresented talent to apply to vacancies with us. We are committed to recruitment processes that are fair for all, regardless of background and personal characteristics.