At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead VAT advisory projects and build long-term client relationships.
- Company: One of the UK’s fastest-growing accountancy firms with a modern culture.
- Benefits: 30 days holiday, hybrid working, pension scheme, and health benefits.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace promoting diversity and flexible working arrangements.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment with clear career progression.
- Qualifications: Extensive VAT experience and strong communication skills.
About this opportunity
Following our hugely successful first year in Birmingham, we are continuing to invest in the growth of our West Midlands presence and are looking for a VAT Senior Manager to play a leading role in shaping and expanding our regional VAT offering, supported by an outstanding VAT team based in our other offices. This is a fantastic opportunity to take ownership, drive business development activity, build long‑term client relationships and make a visible impact within one of the UK’s fastest‑growing accountancy firms.
Working exclusively in VAT advisory, you will support a varied client base spanning corporates, international businesses, charities and public sector organisations with complex technical projects including property VAT, cross‑border issues, M&A transactions and dealing with HMRC. You’ll enjoy the autonomy to develop your specialisms alongside a clear route for future progression. You will also be working with our VAT Partner over the medium‑long term to build a VAT Team in Birmingham including recruitment and development of junior staff. The role will appeal to VAT Managers looking to step up to Senior Manager, or established Senior Managers seeking a new challenge within a modern and forward‑thinking business. It offers a clear career path to progress to Director within an organisation that promotes hybrid and flexible working.
You will manage client relationships and expectations, scope project proposals, monitor budgets and billing, communicate key VAT developments internally and externally through articles, webinars and social media, and contribute to business development activities, becoming actively involved in our key sector groups such as Manufacturing, Education and Real Estate.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Advising UK and international clients on the VAT and other indirect tax implications of international trade
- Advising education and public sector clients on VAT liability of income and VAT recovery including partial exemption and business/non‑business
- Analysing the VAT implications of residential and commercial property transactions and developments
- Managing client relationships and expectations
- Scoping project proposals, monitoring budgets and billing
- Communicating key VAT developments internally and externally with articles, webinars and social media
- Contributing to business development activities and becoming actively involved in our key sector groups such as Manufacturing, Education and Real Estate
What we are looking for:
- Extensive VAT experience gained from either an accountancy practice or HMRC environment; CTA qualified is preferred but not essential
- Experience of managing a diverse portfolio of VAT clients across multiple sectors with a proven track record of growing fee revenues
- Some experience of advising on Customs Duty considerations alongside VAT would be beneficial
- Examples of successful business development activity you have led
- People management experience
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills that enable you to build rapport with people at all levels
- A strong desire to contribute to the overall success of the firm
Benefits:
- 30 days holiday, plus bank holidays
- Extra time off at Christmas – we close between Christmas and New Year
- Hybrid and flexible working
- A contributory pension scheme
- Life assurance
- Critical illness cover
- Simply Health cashback plan including access to 24/7 online GP service and counselling services
- Perkbox discount and rewards platform with over 4,000 perks and discounts
- Social events with active social committees that plan internal and external events
- Numerous opportunities for development
We welcome applicants seeking flexible working arrangements, including part‑time and home‑working, to support responsibilities such as caring commitments, further study or interests outside of work. We are committed to welcoming new people into an inclusive working environment, where everyone has equal opportunity to reach their full potential. We support a culture where people are valued and treated with respect, and where differences are understood and celebrated. The more varied our workforce, the broader the expertise within our business, and the greater our chances of innovation and success. We are committed to equality of opportunity, diversity and inclusion at every level.
Senior VAT Manager employer: Bishop Fleming
Bishop Fleming is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Bristol where strategic thinking and legal expertise are highly valued. With a hybrid working model and a comprehensive benefits package, employees enjoy flexibility and support for their professional growth, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation that empowers individuals to thrive in their roles.
