VAT Manager - London or Manchester

Georgiana Head Recruitment Limited; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Part time

Job summary

An award-winning UK accountancy firm is seeking an experienced VAT Manager in Manchester to lead on complex VAT advisory work. This role involves managing client relationships, negotiating with HMRC, and mentoring junior team members. The successful candidate will possess a CTA qualification and extensive VAT advisory experience. The firm offers hybrid working options with potential for part-time hire, providing excellent career development in a prestigious team.

Qualifications

• Proven VAT advisory experience with complex matters.
• Strong ability to build trusted client relationships.
• Experience in negotiations and managing disputes.

Responsibilities

• Act as the lead VAT expert for clients, delivering strategic solutions.
• Manage high-stakes VAT matters with accuracy.
• Lead business development initiatives and mentor juniors.

Skills

VAT advisory experience

Client relationship building

Technical analysis

Negotiation with HMRC

Mentoring junior team members

Education

CTA qualification

Job description

Expanding, award winning Top 60 accountancy firm seeks an experienced, proactive, commercially minded VAT Manager to play a central role within the VAT team.

Reporting directly to the VAT Director, you will act as the first point of contact for clients, taking ownership of complex VAT matters, managing a diverse portfolio, and building long term, trusted client relationships as well as managing, supporting and training the junior VAT team members.

This is a high impact position where you will lead on technical advisory work, oversee case management, and confidently represent clients in negotiations and disputes with HMRC. You will collaborate closely with colleagues across AMS Group, ensuring exceptional service delivery and contributing to the continued growth and reputation of our VAT offering.

Key Responsibilities

• Be the go to VAT expert for your client portfolio, building strong, influential relationships and delivering high impact, commercially focused advice.
• Lead on complex, high stakes VAT matters, using legislation, case law, and HMRC guidance to provide clear, strategic solutions that clients can rely on.
• Champion clients in HMRC enquiries and disputes, crafting persuasive technical arguments and confidently defending positions to secure the best outcomes.
• Own the quality and accuracy of VAT work, ensuring exceptional compliance, robust audit trails, and a consistently high standard of delivery across all engagements.
• Spot risks and opportunities early, taking the lead on technically challenging matters and involving the VAT Director where strategic escalation is needed.
• Drive business development, engaging with new enquiries, identifying growth opportunities, and supporting internal, cross group referrals that strengthen the firm's offering.
• Lead, mentor, and inspire junior team members, delivering training, reviewing work, and helping shape the next generation of VAT specialists.
• Stay ahead of the VAT landscape, monitoring legislative changes and emerging HMRC positions, and contributing to thought leadership across internal and external platforms.
• Build strong working relationships with HMRC and external advisors, ensuring communication is strategic, professional, and aligned with client objectives.
• Enhance internal VAT processes, maintaining central query logs and supporting knowledge sharing to drive consistency and excellence across the team.

Would suit someone CTA qualified, a former lawyer or HMRC trained individual with strong VAT advisory experience. Someone who genuinely enjoys wide-ranging technical work. This role can be based in London or Manchester, worked on a hybrid basis. Will consider a part-time hire. Excellent prospects in an award winning tax team.

Unfortunately our client is unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role and will only accept applications from those with the right to work in the UK.