At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead VAT projects, manage client portfolios, and collaborate with senior management.
- Company: Join BDO, a dynamic accountancy and business advisory firm.
- Benefits: Enjoy health programmes, pension plans, private medical access, and flexible working.
- Other info: Embrace a supportive culture focused on personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make an impact in a fast-paced tax environment with diverse clients.
- Qualifications: Experience in UK VAT and strong client management skills required.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.
We’re BDO. An accountancy and business advisory firm, providing the advice and solutions entrepreneurial organisations need to navigate today’s changing world. We work with the companies that are Britain’s economic engine – ambitious, entrepreneurially-spirited and high‑growth businesses that fuel the economy - and directly advise the owners and management teams that lead them.
Working, achieving, and thriving together, our Tax team move with every challenge. Friendly, driven and diverse, they service our clients across the country and around the world. By providing expertise in many different specialist areas of tax, they collaborate across BDO to deliver wider business solutions. From meeting clients’ evolving business needs to managing changes to legislation, there are always fresh challenges to face in the Tax team. If you’re after a career that will keep you on your toes, we’ll give you the autonomy to drive your career forward.
Tax is a dynamic, ever-changing industry. As our clients’ needs and the regulatory environment evolve, you’ll encounter new problems to solve and new opportunities for growth. Whether it’s advising clients on high-profile specialisms like Corporation Tax or leading the implementation of intelligent technology solutions, you’ll enjoy variety as well as stretch in your role.
BDO supports all kinds of different businesses in different sectors across the UK and around the world. You’ll be providing Tax Advisory services to start-ups and scale-ups, to private businesses and FTSE listed multinationals. Each of our clients has different needs and in applying your expertise in different contexts, you’ll develop your skills and gain valuable experience that will serve you throughout your career.
You’ll be someone who is both comfortable working proactively and managing your own tasks, as well as confident collaborating with others and communicating regularly with senior managers, directors, and BDO’s partners to help businesses effectively. You’ll be encouraged to identify and draw attention to opportunities for enhancing our delivery and providing additional services to organisations we work with.
Our Indirect Tax business continues to grow at a rapid pace. Indirect Taxes raise significant revenues for governments globally and gain increasing focus from tax authorities, the media and the public. For you it’s the chance to hone your client service skills with interesting and complex assignments to help clients of all sizes succeed.
The team comprises a mix of ‘home-grown’ (including at partner level) and externally recruited talent. This strength and diversity of knowledge creates an environment where our team can bring fresh thinking and a varied perspective to every project, enabling us to deliver creative, commercial and robust solutions for our clients.
Responsibilities:
- There will be an expectation that you will take full responsibility for project delivery on your portfolio.
- Review of work prepared by more junior members of staff.
- Liaise with HMRC.
- Ensure assignments are completed within agreed budgets and keep client/Partner informed of changes in scope / overruns and plan staff assignments in order to give an appropriate spread of experience.
- Identify risk and technical matters, as well as selling opportunities, to the Partner, whilst exercising judgement within agreed parameters.
- Provide overall support to Partners on client matters and assist Partners in the management and leadership of the group, this will include support at times for the recruitment and management of staff.
- A key skill will be the ability to recognise business development opportunities and inform and work with the Partner and the client to develop these when they arise.
- Develop contact with clients at senior level and maintain contact with other levels as appropriate to ensure the firm has the confidence of the client.
We’re looking for someone with:
- Significant understanding of and previous experience within UK VAT.
- In-depth knowledge of recent key updates and areas of focus in Financial Services VAT.
- Responsibility for review of VAT compliance for own portfolio and involved in any VAT advice required by your clients, by delegating and developing the juniors in the team in delivering this.
- Ability to manage a large and varied client portfolio.
- Ability to actively seek opportunities for selling new services to existing clients.
- Experience of dealing direct with HMRC.
- Experience of dealing with client senior management and collaborating with our wider FS tax team.
- Ideally CTA and/or ACA qualified or equivalent.
You’ll be able to be yourself; we’ll recognise and value you for who you are and celebrate and reward your contributions to the business. We’re committed to agile working, and we offer every colleague the opportunity to work in ways that suit you, your teams, and the task at hand.
At BDO, we’ll help you achieve your personal goals and career ambitions, and we have programmes, resources, and frameworks that provide clarity and structure around career development. Mutual support and respect is one of BDO’s core values and we’re proud of our distinctive, people-centred culture. From informal success conversations to formal mentoring and coaching, we’ll support you at every stage in your career, whatever your personal and professional needs.
Our agile working framework helps us stay connected, bringing teams together where and when it counts so they can share ideas and help one another. At BDO, you’ll always have access to the people and resources you need to do your best work.
We know that collaboration is the key to creating value for the companies we work with and satisfying experiences for our colleagues, so we’ve invested in state-of-the‑art collaboration spaces in our offices. BDO’s people represent a wealth of knowledge and expertise, and we’ll encourage you to build your network, work alongside others, and share your skills and experiences. With a range of multidisciplinary events and dedicated resources, you’ll never stop learning at BDO.
At BDO, we help entrepreneurial businesses to succeed, fuelling the UK economy. Our success is powered by our people, which is why we’re always finding new ways to invest in you. Across the UK thousands of unique minds continue to come together to help companies we work with to achieve their ambitions.
We’ve got a clear purpose, and we’re confident in our future, because we’re adapting and evolving to build on our strengths, ensuring we continue to find the right combination of global reach, integrity and expertise. We shape the future together with openness and clarity, because we believe in empowering people to think creatively about how we can do things better.
Rewards & Benefits
- Health and Wellness Programmes: We promote a positive working environment where our people can thrive.
- Pension Plan: A Group Personal Pension Plan, with matched employer contributions.
- Private Medical: Access to private medical treatment for you and your family.
- Income Protection Plan: Provides a proportion of your basic salary if you suffer a loss of earnings because of illness or injury.
- Holidays: Our holiday benefit enables you to purchase up to 10 days of additional leave.
- Bike to work scheme: A convenient, environmentally friendly and tax-effective way to acquire a bike for travelling to and from work.
VAT Senior Manager / Associate Director in London employer: BDO UK
As an Audit Learning and Development Assistant Manager/Manager, you will thrive in a dynamic work culture that prioritises innovation and collaboration. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through tailored learning interventions and the opportunity to engage with diverse stakeholders across multiple locations, including regular travel to London. Join us to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a supportive environment that champions professional development and operational excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land VAT Senior Manager / Associate Director in London
✨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 BDO UK, 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 VAT Senior Manager / Associate Director in London
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 BDO UK'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 BDO UK. 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 BDO UK!
How to prepare for a job interview at BDO UK
✨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 BDO UK.
✨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 BDO UK. It helps to show our commitment!
