Indirect Tax Director

Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (NYSE:HLI) is a leading global investment bank recognized for delivering independent strategic and financial advice to corporations, financial sponsors, and governments. With uniquely deep industry expertise, broad international reach, and a partnership approach rooted in trust, the firm provides innovative, integrated solutions across mergers and acquisitions, capital solutions, financial restructuring, and financial and valuation advisory. Our unmatched transaction volumes provide differentiated, data‑driven perspectives that help our clients achieve their most critical goals.

The role reports to the Chief Accounting and Financial Officer – Europe and the VP International Tax and supports VAT and indirect tax policies and objectives across Europe and multiple jurisdictions including the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Netherlands, Italy, Australia, Switzerland, Sweden, Israel, and Dubai. Primary responsibilities include managing the VAT and indirect tax project lifecycles of compliance and reporting for a variety of international jurisdictions, overseeing tax authority audits, and providing advisory support to cross‑functional teams. This position offers the opportunity to lead a comprehensive review of compliance processes and implement automated, efficient procedures that align with best practice.

Responsibilities

• Managing VAT and indirect tax matters, including review of compliance processes, indirect tax calculations, and new and existing tax projects, while monitoring the impact of new tax legislation.
• Liaising with overseas advisors across EMEA and the HL finance team to ensure timely indirect tax compliance and reporting, and supporting preparation or review of international VAT returns (monthly, quarterly, or annual adjustments as relevant).
• Continuously improving compliance processes to increase automation and efficiency, ensuring alignment with best practice.
• Liaising with the business and the legal team to ensure the correct VAT position in engagement letters.
• Owning VAT governance, risks, and controls (including for UK Senior Accounting Officer and similar EMEA regimes), and providing recommendations for improvement.
• Reviewing Partial Exemption Special Method (PESM) and associated VAT recoverability, and contributing to strategies to minimise irrecoverable VAT where possible.
• Staying aware of new VAT technical advisory issues, legislative developments, case law, and communicating potential applications to stakeholders.
• Implementing Making Tax Digital in the UK and supporting digital reporting in non‑UK jurisdictions.
• Anticipating changes in VAT reporting to tax authorities and moving towards real‑time VAT reporting in EMEA jurisdictions.
• Reviewing uncertain tax positions (UTP) in relation to VAT and indirect taxes.
• Drafting and implementing VAT policies and procedures.
• Considering VAT in conjunction with local transfer pricing requirements.
• Responding to ad hoc VAT and indirect tax queries from business lines.
• Supporting Tax and Finance team colleagues with international projects and initiatives.
• Maintaining good working relationships with tax authorities and providing timely responses to related queries.
• Supporting the review of tax risks, controls, and implementation of process improvements to ensure SOX compliance.

Required

• UK and European VAT and indirect tax technical specialist.
• ACA, ACCA, CTA, or CPA qualification.
• 6+ years of experience in tax.
• Accustomed to operating at director level in an indirect tax compliance‑led role.
• Experience with Oracle systems.
• Strong analytical, numeracy, and literacy skills.
• Experience working in financial services.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• An enthusiastic team player.
• Self‑review, discipline, and intellectual curiosity.
• High and focused energy levels.
• Big 4 or in‑house tax experience.
• Ability to see the bigger picture tax issues and relate them to the organisation in commercial terms.
• Ability to plan, prioritise, and manage workload, working accurately under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Excel and Outlook.

Desired

• Experience working with a complex and multinational organisation.
• Knowledge of IFRS and US GAAP.
• Exposure to international tax issues.
• Innovative mindset with the ability to develop efficiencies and improve processes, embracing technology automation opportunities.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.