VAT Manager

Bishop Fleming LLP; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Up to 27 days holiday

Extra time off at Christmas

Hybrid and flexible working

Contributory pension scheme

Life assurance

Critical illness cover

Simply Health cashback plan

Perkbox discounts

Social events

Development opportunities

Job summary

Bishop Fleming LLP is seeking an experienced VAT Manager to lead our VAT advisory offering in the UK, working with a high-calibre team to deliver practical indirect tax solutions for clients across sectors. You will own client relationships, scope projects, mentor junior staff and drive business development while collaborating with our VAT Partner and Advisory Team to expand capabilities and client base.

We offer flexibility, progression, and a collaborative culture as part of one of the UK's

Qualifications

• VAT experience gained from either an accountancy practice or HMRC environment.
• Experience managing a diverse VAT client portfolio across sectors with a proven track record of growing fee revenues.
• Some experience advising on Customs Duty 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.

Responsibilities

• Advising UK and international clients on 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.
• Analyzing 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.

Skills

VAT advisory experience

Client relationship management

Business development

People management

Communication skills

Job description

VAT Manager

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 are open to applications from both experienced VAT Managers and ambitious VAT Assistant 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 VAT Advisory Team to support the continued growth of our VAT service line, including developing client relationships, identifying business development opportunities, and mentoring junior team members.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Advising UK and international clients on 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

• VAT experience gained from either an accountancy practice or HMRC environment.
• 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 £50m plus. Having won best regional tax team in the Tolley's Taxation Awards 2025, we were a finalist in two categories this year. We are investing heavily in Tax team growth having recently promoted two partners, three Directors and two senior managers from within demonstrating our commitment to growing our people as well as bringing fresh ideas and talent into the team from outside. 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, 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 correspondent firm of Kreston Global, a global network of accounting firms in more than 100 countries.

We also offer a multifaceted benefits package, which includes:

• Up to 27 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. We do not currently offer visa sponsorship. To be eligible for this role, applicants must have the unrestricted right to live and work in the UK.