Manager – UK VAT

Grant Thornton Ireland is rapidly approaching 3,000 people, in 9 offices across Ireland, Isle of Man, Gibraltar and Bermuda. With a presence in over 149 countries around the world and a global network of 73,000 people, we bring our clients the local knowledge, national expertise and global presence to help them succeed – wherever they’re located.

At GT, we work as trusted advisors, bringing local knowledge and national expertise, with a global presence, to help businesses succeed – wherever they are located. We make business more personal by investing in building relationships and empowering our clients to make the right decisions for their organisation now and for the future.

Whether that is working with the public sector to build thriving communities, with regulators and financial institutions to build trust, or with a diverse range of businesses to help them achieve their goals, Grant Thornton Ireland works hard to support clients to act on the issues that matter.

A career at GT offers a more fulfilling role in professional services, where fresh thinking, collaboration and diversity are valued. We respect and value your experience, and we want you to bring your authentic self to work and be at your best.

At Grant Thornton, we care about our people and work hard to make you feel valued. If you are looking to deepen and develop your skills, knowledge, and experience throughout your career, then that is what you will get, and more.

About the Team: At Grant Thornton, we provide equitable opportunities for all our colleagues. We are a responsible, sustainable business where equity, diversity and inclusion (ED&I) is at the forefront of our workplace culture agenda. People are at the heart of our business and teams built with varied individuals present diverse viewpoints, which need to be heard and valued.

Diversity of thought, background and experience enables better decision-making, improves the quality of our delivery, and helps us to meet the needs of our clients. Our firm is built on people and their ideas, so we want to hear all the new perspectives and fresh thinking you have to offer.

Reward and benefits: Our reward and benefits are designed to create an environment where our people can flourish. We are committed to building a culture where our people have access to the necessary benefits to help promote a healthy lifestyle and thrive.

Recognition: We want to create a culture of recognition and celebrating success, by saying thank you to people who surpass our expectations and recognising the right values and behaviours.

Job Description: We are looking to hire a Manager to join our growing Indirect Tax team, with a particular focus on UK VAT. Based primarily in Belfast (with Dublin considered for the right candidate), this is an excellent opportunity to work on a broad range of UK VAT advisory and compliance engagements for a diverse client portfolio.

The successful candidate will manage complex UK VAT advisory projects, HMRC compliance and VAT due diligence assignments, while supporting Directors and Partners in delivering exceptional client service. This role is ideal for a technically strong VAT professional who enjoys solving complex client issues, building trusted relationships and mentoring junior team members.

• Manage a portfolio of UK VAT advisory, compliance and due diligence engagements, delivering practical, commercial solutions to clients across a range of sectors.
• Advise clients on complex UK VAT matters, including cross-border transactions, supply chains, place of supply, land and property, partial exemption and sector-specific VAT issues.
• Lead HMRC compliance activities, including VAT returns, Making Tax Digital (MTD) requirements and correspondence relating to enquiries, rulings and assessments.
• Build strong client relationships, support business development initiatives, and work closely with Directors and Partners to deliver high-quality advisory services.
• Coach, mentor and review the work of junior team members, contributing to the continued growth and success of the Belfast Indirect Tax team.

Skills & Experience: CTA, ATT, ACA, ACCA or equivalent qualified, with 5–8 years' UK VAT experience gained in practice or a combination of practice and industry. Strong technical expertise in UK VAT, with significant experience delivering advisory projects alongside HMRC compliance and VAT due diligence assignments.

Proven ability to manage client relationships, communicate complex technical matters clearly, and deliver commercially focused solutions. Experience leading multiple engagements, managing competing priorities, and mentoring junior team members within a professional services environment.

A proactive, collaborative and commercially minded approach, with strong communication skills and the right to work in the UK or Ireland.

The preferred location for this role is Belfast, although we are also open to candidates based elsewhere in the UK who are looking to relocate to Northern Ireland, or exceptional candidates who wish to be based in Dublin.