VAT Senior Manager

Overview of Firm

PKF is the 12th largest accountancy brand and the 12th largest audit practice in the UK. 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.

Click here to learn more about us.

Introduction to the Division

Tax

Our tax service line covers five key areas: Corporate Tax, Human Capital, Indirect Tax, Private Clients and Tax Disputes. The team has grown significantly in recent years and has ambitious plans for the future.

We work across all sectors, with specialisms in insurance, property, technology, international businesses, high net worth individuals and globally mobile individuals.

Click here to learn more about our Tax team

Responsibilities

Purpose and aim of the role

The role requires an ambitious, confident individual, with excellent knowledge of VAT tax to join the growing VAT Team. The team plans to double in size over the next 3-5 years and so promotion opportunities would be available in the future for a successful and ambitious candidate.

Client Responsibilities

The VAT team at PKF Littlejohn LLP deals with a broad range of consultancy and compliance work emanating from a wide variety of clients. Our clients need you to:

• Liaise with HMRC to help them to discharge their VAT obligations correctly and on time so that they and their suppliers/customer do not incur unexpected VAT costs (be they absolute or cashflow costs), interest and penalties
• Speak to them (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 to them that is well-researched, considered and contains practical/commercial recommendations
• Resolve differences of view (about the VAT treatment of transactions) between your clients and HMRC/their suppliers/their 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 supplier(s)/customer(s) in respect of the potential VAT treatment of their transactions.
• Liaise with specialist VAT barristers to obtain robust opinions in respect of the VAT treatment of their transactions.
  
  

Profitably manage a large client portfolio, working with managers and assistant managers who deliver work/advice to your clients.

Use insights gathered from your client work, and other peoples’ 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

The post-holder may be jointly responsible for managing some junior staff.

PKF Littlejohn LLP believes strongly in encouraging the personal development of each member of staff and the Firm supports and provides internal and external training courses as well as professional updates on technical and non-technical subjects. In addition to managing their own development, individuals are expected to encourage and take an active role in the training and development of junior staff.

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, eg 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 to resolve their issues
• Tenacious, creative and enjoys solving puzzles/problems
• Interested in trying to understand issues and other people’s perspectives on them
• Thoughtful, reflective and considered/well-researched before offering views/opinions
• Able to quickly identify the 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