VAT Specialist Accountant (fully remote)

Opus People Solutions Ltd; West Midlands; On-site; GBP 89,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

Opus People Solutions Ltd is recruiting a VAT Consultant for a Local Authority on a 6-month contract at £500 per day. You will be the VAT subject matter expert, ensuring HMRC compliance and maximising VAT recovery across the organisation.

Responsibilities include advising on capital projects, reviewing VAT returns and partial exemption calculations, and developing VAT policies. A public-sector background and a relevant VAT qualification are essential.

Qualifications

• Significant VAT advisory experience, ideally within Local Government or the wider public sector.
• Strong technical knowledge of VAT legislation and its application in local authorities.
• Experience preparing and reviewing VAT returns and partial exemption calculations.
• Professional qualification such as ACCA, ACA, CIPFA, or equivalent VAT-related qualification.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities and deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Providing expert VAT advice on capital projects, property transactions, grants, contracts, and funding arrangements.
• Managing and reviewing VAT returns, ensuring compliance with HMRC requirements.
• Delivering and overseeing partial exemption calculations and VAT recovery strategies.
• Monitoring and interpreting changes in VAT legislation and assessing their impact on the authority.
• Supporting internal and external audits and managing HMRC enquiries where required.
• Developing and maintaining VAT policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Delivering training and guidance to both finance and non-finance stakeholders.
• Supporting financial planning, budgeting, and project appraisals from a VAT perspective.

Skills

VAT advisory

Public sector experience

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

ACCA/ACA/CIPFA VAT qualification

Job description

Local Authority | 6-Month Contract | £500 per day

Our client, a well-established Local Authority, is seeking an experienced VAT Consultant to provide specialist VAT expertise across the organisation on an initial 6-month contract. This is an excellent opportunity for a VAT professional with strong public sector experience to support compliance, maximise VAT recovery, and provide strategic advice on complex VAT matters.

The Role

As the VAT Consultant, you will act as the authority's subject matter expert for all VAT-related matters, working closely with finance teams, operational departments, and senior stakeholders. You will ensure compliance with HMRC regulations while identifying opportunities to optimise VAT recovery and improve processes.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Providing expert VAT advice on capital projects, property transactions, grants, contracts, and funding arrangements.
• Managing and reviewing VAT returns, ensuring compliance with HMRC requirements.
• Delivering and overseeing partial exemption calculations and VAT recovery strategies.
• Monitoring and interpreting changes in VAT legislation and assessing their impact on the authority.
• Supporting internal and external audits and managing HMRC enquiries where required.
• Developing and maintaining VAT policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Delivering training and guidance to both finance and non-finance stakeholders.
• Supporting financial planning, budgeting, and project appraisals from a VAT perspective.

About You

To be considered, you will demonstrate:

• Significant VAT advisory experience, ideally within Local Government or the wider public sector.
• Strong technical knowledge of VAT legislation, particularly its application within local authorities.
• Experience preparing and reviewing VAT returns and partial exemption calculations.
• A relevant professional qualification such as ACCA, ACA, CIPFA, or an equivalent VAT-related qualification.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• The ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Contract: 6 Months
• Sector: Local Government