At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a VAT team, manage complex advisory projects, and develop client relationships.
- Company: Join a leading independent firm in Belfast City Centre with a hybrid work model.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and opportunities for leadership.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for networking and business development.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact in a growing advisory practice while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Strong VAT knowledge, leadership experience, and excellent communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
Location: Belfast City Centre | Hybrid
Salary: Competitive Salary
Contract Type: Permanent
The Opportunity:
Abacus Careers is recruiting a Senior VAT Manager on behalf of a Leading Independent Firm in Belfast City Centre. This is a senior opportunity for an experienced VAT professional ready to take greater ownership of clients, people and practice development. Alongside leading complex VAT advisory work, you’ll play an important role in managing the team, developing client relationships, supporting the Tax Partner and identifying opportunities to grow the firm’s VAT offering.
You’ll operate as a senior point of contact for clients, combining strong technical VAT expertise with the commercial judgement and leadership skills expected at Senior Manager level. For someone who enjoys the technical side of VAT but also wants genuine influence over people, clients and business development, this is an opportunity to make a significant impact within a growing advisory practice.
What You’ll Be Doing:
- Lead and develop the VAT team, providing day-to-day guidance, technical support and oversight of work.
- Take ownership of complex VAT advisory projects, including land and property, M&A, corporate finance transactions and wider commercial matters.
- Liaise directly with clients and senior stakeholders, becoming a trusted point of contact for complex VAT advice.
- Work closely with and support the Tax Partner on technical, client and practice development matters.
- Manage client relationships, ensuring advice is commercially focused, technically robust and delivered effectively.
- Drive business development activity, identifying new opportunities and strengthening relationships with existing and prospective clients.
- Contribute to the strategic growth and profile of the VAT practice through networking, webinars, seminars and professional events.
- Collaborate with colleagues across the wider firm to identify opportunities where specialist VAT input can add value.
What We’re Looking For:
- Strong VAT knowledge with the technical capability to advise on complex and commercially significant VAT matters.
- Previous experience managing, supervising or developing colleagues and the ability to provide confident leadership to a VAT team.
- The credibility and communication skills to manage client relationships directly and engage effectively with senior stakeholders.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with the judgement to develop practical and commercially focused solutions.
- The ability to work closely with the Tax Partner, taking ownership of senior-level responsibilities and supporting the development of the practice.
- A commercially minded approach with the confidence to contribute to business development and new client opportunities.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, combined with strong attention to detail.
- A collaborative, motivated approach with a commitment to continued technical and professional development.
What’s In It For You:
You’ll join a Leading Independent Firm where you can combine high-level technical VAT work with broader leadership and commercial responsibilities. You’ll have the opportunity to lead and develop a team, work directly with clients and senior stakeholders, collaborate closely with the Tax Partner and play an active role in growing the VAT practice. With Belfast City Centre and hybrid working, this role offers the opportunity to build your profile as a senior VAT adviser while gaining exposure to complex transactions, business development and practice growth.
Why Apply:
This is more than a technical VAT position. It’s an opportunity to step into a visible senior role where you’ll have influence across technical delivery, team development, client relationships and business growth. If you’re an experienced VAT professional looking for greater responsibility and the opportunity to help shape a growing advisory practice, this Senior Manager role offers a compelling next step.
Apply Now:
If you’re ready to take the next step in your career, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today through Abacus Careers.
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland
Salary: 55000 - 65000
Job Type: Permanent
Date Posted: 07 August, 2026
Senior VAT Manager in Belfast employer: Abacus Recruitment
As a leading UK law firm, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and forward-thinking work culture that empowers our employees to excel in their careers. Our Belfast office offers the unique advantage of working on high-value transactions with major financial institutions while providing clear progression opportunities and a comprehensive benefits package, including competitive salaries and flexible working arrangements. Join us to be part of a team that values your expertise and supports your professional growth in the dynamic field of banking and finance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior VAT Manager in Belfast
✨Join Tax Networks
Get involved in tax-focused networks or associations, like the Chartered Institute of Taxation. These communities often host events and workshops which can help you make connections with industry professionals, plus they might even have job boards exclusive to members.
✨Attend Industry Events
Keep an eye out for tax-related conferences and seminars. Events like these are not only great for learning but also for meeting potential employers face-to-face. Use these opportunities to ask questions and express your interest; it’s all about putting a face to the name!
✨Leverage Social Media
Follow leading tax advisory firms, such as Abacus Recruitment, on social media. Engage with their posts – comment, share insights, or even ask questions. This can help you get noticed and show your enthusiasm for the industry before you even apply!
✨Showcase Your Knowledge
Consider writing articles or blogs on tax trends and issues. Sharing your expertise on platforms like LinkedIn can boost your visibility and establish you as someone who is serious about a career in tax advisory. Plus, it gives you something to discuss when you land that interview!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior VAT Manager in Belfast
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Tax Knowledge:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant tax qualifications, certifications, or coursework you've completed. We want to see that you understand tax laws, regulations, and compliance issues—so detail your academic background or any practical experience in tax advisory to catch Abacus Recruitment's eye!
Quantify Your Achievements:In the tax consultancy field, showing measurable outcomes from your previous work can set you apart. Use your CV to include specific examples of how your advice helped clients save money or avoid penalties. Numbers speak volumes in our industry and can really highlight your impact.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express why you're passionate about tax consultancy and why you're excited about working at Abacus Recruitment. Share any personal experiences or insights that fuel your interest in the tax advisory field—let your enthusiasm shine through!
Keep It Professional but Approachable:While your written application should maintain a professional tone, don’t be afraid to let a bit of your personality show. Tax advisory is about building relationships, so if you can convey your approachable nature in your writing, that's a bonus when applying for this full-time role at Abacus Recruitment!
How to prepare for a job interview at Abacus Recruitment
✨Know Your Tax Fundamentals
Brush up on the core principles of tax law, especially recent updates that might affect clients. During the interview, we could face scenario-based questions where we'll need to apply these principles to solve problems, so get comfy with hypothetical situations!
✨Show Your Analytical Skills
Tax advisory isn't just about knowing the rules; it’s about interpreting them. Make sure to prepare examples from your previous studies or experiences where you successfully analysed complex data. We want to demonstrate how we can bring those analytical skills to the table for Abacus Recruitment.
✨Understand the Consulting Aspect
Since this is a full-time role, the interview might involve discussing how we communicate tax strategies to clients. Think about times we've interacted with clients or presented technical information in a digestible way. This shows we’re not just tax boffins but can also connect with people!
✨Your Long-Term Vision
As we're aiming for a full-time position, it's important to convey our enthusiasm and long-term interest in tax advisory. Be prepared to chat about why we’re passionate about this field and how we see ourselves growing within Abacus Recruitment. It helps to show our commitment!
