At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead VAT advisory projects and manage client relationships in a dynamic tax team.
- Company: Ambitious professional services firm with a collaborative and entrepreneurial culture.
- Benefits: Career progression, exposure to high-profile projects, and commitment to professional development.
- Other info: Opportunity to mentor junior team members and contribute to business development.
- Why this job: Join a growing VAT practice and make a real impact on diverse client portfolios.
- Qualifications: Significant VAT experience and strong technical knowledge of UK VAT legislation.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
An ambitious and growing professional services firm is seeking a highly experienced VAT Director to join its expanding Indirect Tax practice. This is a key leadership appointment within a well-established tax team that provides advisory and compliance services to a diverse portfolio of entrepreneurial businesses, large corporates, international groups, not-for-profit organisations and privately owned companies.
The successful candidate will play a central role in driving the continued growth of the VAT offering, leading complex advisory projects, managing significant client relationships, developing junior team members and contributing to business development initiatives. This opportunity would suit an established Director-level professional or an ambitious Senior Manager ready to take the next step in their career.
The Indirect Tax team is experiencing significant growth and has ambitious plans to expand over the coming years. As a senior member of the practice, you will work closely with partners and other tax specialists to develop the VAT service line, deliver exceptional client outcomes and identify opportunities for new business. You will advise clients across a wide variety of sectors and transactions, including corporate restructurings, acquisitions, disposals, property matters, cross-border activities and complex technical VAT issues. This role offers genuine career progression for individuals who can demonstrate strong technical expertise, commercial acumen and a passion for developing client relationships.
Key Responsibilities- Client Advisory
- Provide expert VAT advisory services to a broad range of clients across multiple sectors.
- Act as a trusted adviser, helping clients navigate complex VAT legislation and minimise VAT risk.
- Conduct detailed technical research and deliver practical, commercially focused advice.
- Support clients with VAT planning, compliance and dispute resolution matters.
- Liaise directly with HMRC on technical queries, rulings, clearances, enquiries and disputes.
- Lead negotiations with HMRC where required.
- Facilitate Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) processes.
- Obtain and assess specialist counsel opinions where appropriate.
- Prepare high-quality written reports, technical advice and client correspondence.
- Present complex VAT concepts clearly to non-tax specialists.
- Transactional & Specialist Projects
- Provide VAT input across a range of projects including corporate restructurings and demergers.
- Business acquisitions and disposals.
- Transaction due diligence assignments.
- Property and land transactions.
- Cross-border VAT matters.
- Insolvency and restructuring engagements.
- Audit support and specialist VAT reviews.
- VAT registrations and compliance reviews.
- Portfolio Management
- Manage a substantial portfolio of VAT clients.
- Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget and to a high technical standard.
- Monitor profitability and billing across client assignments.
- Build long-term relationships with key stakeholders.
- Actively identify opportunities for additional services and cross-selling initiatives.
- Business Development
- Contribute to the continued growth of the VAT practice.
- Generate new advisory opportunities from existing client relationships and professional networks.
- Support tender submissions and proposals.
- Participate in marketing initiatives, events and technical thought leadership.
- Build and maintain strong referrer relationships.
- People Leadership
- Coach, mentor and develop managers and junior team members.
- Provide technical guidance and support across the wider tax team.
- Conduct performance reviews and support career development discussions.
- Deliver internal and external VAT training sessions.
- Foster a collaborative, high-performing culture.
- Essential Experience
- Significant VAT advisory and compliance experience gained within a professional services or consulting environment.
- Strong technical knowledge of UK VAT legislation and practice.
- Experience managing complex VAT projects and client relationships.
- Proven ability to provide commercially focused advice.
- Experience dealing directly with HMRC on technical matters and disputes.
- Strong portfolio management skills.
- Demonstrable success in business development and client growth.
- Desirable Experience
- Sector specialism in areas such as financial services, insurance, property, healthcare, charities or international trade.
- Experience leading major VAT investigations or dispute resolution matters.
- Track record of developing and growing a VAT service offering.
- Personal Attributes
- Strong commercial awareness.
- Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
- Curious and inquisitive mindset.
- Ability to communicate complex technical matters in a clear and practical manner.
- Confidence when engaging with senior stakeholders.
- Strong organisational and project management skills.
- Collaborative and supportive leadership style.
- Proactive and solutions-focused approach.
- High levels of professionalism and integrity.
- A genuine desire to develop both clients and colleagues.
- One or more of the following would be advantageous: CTA, ACA / CA / ACCA or equivalent, Law degree or legal qualification, Degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business or related discipline. Relevant experience and technical capability will be considered as important as formal qualifications.
Why Join? Opportunity to play a leading role in the growth of a successful VAT practice. Exposure to complex, high-profile advisory projects. Diverse and interesting client portfolio. Clear pathway for career progression. Collaborative and entrepreneurial culture. Strong commitment to professional development and technical excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land VAT Director in City of 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 Brewer Morris, 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 Director in City of 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 Brewer Morris'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 Brewer Morris. 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 Brewer Morris!
How to prepare for a job interview at Brewer Morris
✨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 Brewer Morris.
✨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 Brewer Morris. It helps to show our commitment!
