Employment Tax Manager / Senior Manager

About Us

Build something exceptional, with us. Our ambition is clear and openly bold. Armstrong Watson is on a journey to more than double our turnover by 2030, through disciplined organic growth, the attraction of outstanding talent, and the selective acquisition of like-minded firms. But growth alone is not the goal. Reputation is. And reputation is earned, not inherited. Our strategic intent is simple to say and hard to deliver. To become the most respected adviser to privately owned businesses in the North and the UK. The firm business owners talk about. The firm lawyers and bankers recommend without hesitation. To achieve this, we are building the best Accounting and Financial Advisory firm to deal with, not just in the North, but across the UK. Exceptional service, deep expertise, trusted relationships, and absolute reliability define everything we do. These are not slogans; they are standards we hold ourselves to every day. At our core, we exist for one reason, to help our clients achieve prosperity, a secure future, and peace of mind. This strategy sets the direction. Our people, our values-led culture, and our standards will deliver it.

We are looking for people who want more than the next job. People who care deeply about:

• Standards and professionalism;
• Doing work they are proud to put their name to;
• Building long-term client relationships;
• Being part of a firm with real momentum and intent.

If you want to grow with a business that is ambitious, values-driven, and serious about excellence, Armstrong Watson offers opportunity and expectation in equal measure. What you will find here:

• A firm with clear direction and momentum;
• Clients who value advice and relationships;
• Colleagues who care about doing things properly;
• A culture built on Passion, Trust, Humanity and Honesty;
• Genuine opportunity to shape your career as the firm grows.

This is our moment, and our vision is clear, to build something genuinely remarkable.

The Role

Our tax team is growing, and we have a fantastic opportunity for a client facing Employment Tax Senior Manager to join us and help shape a high performing employment tax offering to clients and internal colleagues. The role can be based from any of our offices including Leeds, Manchester, Glasgow, Carlisle and Newcastle.

Providing a top-class advisory service across the entire spectrum of Employment Tax areas for our clients will be a key part of the role, including HMRC enquiries, employment status/IR35 advisory, National Minimum Wage, CIC etc, and projects with the wider Tax team such as due diligence support, CCO and SAO reviews. Our Employment Tax Team services clients across the entire firm, covering employers within a wide range of industry sectors and sizes up to and including businesses within the Senior Accounting Officer regime.

The main elements of this role will include:

• Ensuring establishment of scope and budget for each piece of work is in place and ensuring adequate briefing to the team members is given;
• Leading the delivery of high-quality Employment Tax technical advice to clients ranging from ad hoc queries to larger advisory projects;
• Being the main employment tax relationship contact with key clients;
• Supporting clients with HMRC enquiries, disclosures, and settlements on employment tax matters;
• Contributing to business development through networking, proposal writing, and client relationship management;
• Delivering technical updates and training to clients and internal teams on employment tax developments;
• Delegating work to junior colleagues and supporting their development;
• Supporting the partner with strategic advice and shaping the service offering going forward.

Please note that we will be accepting candidates from agency suppliers in connection with this vacancy.

The Candidate

In order to fulfil the responsibilities of the position, we would like candidates to have:

• Significant experience in employment tax, ideally gained in practice, already operating at Senior Manager level, or ready to step up into a Senior Manager role;
• Strong technical experience across all areas of employment tax;
• Excellent communication and influencing skills with both colleagues and clients;
• Commercial awareness and the ability to solve problems.

The Benefits

In return for your hard work helping us shape our future growth and development; we will provide a competitive salary and a positive benefits package which includes:

• Salary Sacrifice Employer Contribution Pension Scheme including Life Cover (4x salary) and Income Protection;
• Competitive Annual Leave entitlement & Annual Leave Purchase Scheme allowing you to buy up to 5 additional days annual leave each year;
• Smart Working Policy, giving you the ability to balance home and remote working;
• Health Shield Cash Plan (cash back on a range of Health benefits and discounts on holidays, fashion and entertainment);
• Employee Assistance Programme (24/7 confidential support for wellbeing and health);
• Paid flu jabs and eye tests;
• Introductory Commission Scheme (financial reward if you refer a new client);
• Employee Referral Scheme (financial reward if you refer new AW colleagues) enabling you to claim up to £2,500 for each referral;
• Investment towards Continuous Professional Development (CPD), which includes access to comprehensive training courses and materials;
• Paid professional membership fees.

In addition to all the benefits you would expect from an award winning employer, you will be given the utmost encouragement and support to develop your career further.

When you're with us... we're with you.