Customs VAT Assistant Manager/Manager in London

At Grant Thornton we do things differently - looking to the future, driving ambitious growth and pioneering positive change in our industry. Providing audit, tax and advisory services, we empower clients through strategic insight, curiosity, and genuine partnership. And we empower our people with real opportunity, an inclusive culture and work life balance.

Grant Thornton UK LLP is part of a global network of independent audit, tax and advisory firms, made up of some 58,000 people in over 135 countries. We’re a team of independent thinkers who put quality, inclusion and integrity first. All around the world we bring a different experience to our clients. A better experience. One that delivers the expertise they need in a way that goes beyond. Personal, proactive, and agile.

Joining our UK-focused Customs & International Trade team within the Tax practice, you will support the delivery of advisory and compliance services to a diverse portfolio of UK and multinational clients. Under supervision from experienced colleagues, you will assist in providing practical advice on UK customs procedures, duty optimisation, post-Brexit trade compliance (including CDS declarations, TSS for Northern Ireland, and rules of origin), tariff classification, valuation, and preferential trade arrangements.

This junior role offers excellent exposure to client-facing advisory work, helping clients navigate HMRC requirements, minimise customs risks and costs, and ensure efficient cross-border operations in a professional services environment.

As a Customs Indirect Tax Assistant Manager/Manager within our team practice, you will:

• Support client take-on processes by gathering and reviewing initial client information, trade data, product catalogues, supply chain details, and existing customs documentation during onboarding meetings or calls.
• Assist in conducting client customs health checks, compliance reviews, and gap analyses, including reviewing client import/export data against UK regulations.
• Help prepare client advice such as classification opinions, valuation reports, duty exposure calculations, and reports on potential savings or risks.
• Participate in client meetings, calls, and workshops to take detailed notes, follow up on action points, respond to basic client queries, and assist seniors in presenting findings or recommendations.
• Support preparation and review of client-facing correspondence, advisory letters/memos, compliance checklists, and responses to HMRC enquiries or post-clearance audits.
• Assist with research and monitoring of UK customs developments (e.g., HMRC notices, CDS system updates, Brexit-related changes, sanctions, or new FTAs), and help prepare client briefings or internal knowledge updates.
• Help manage client files, track project deliverables and timelines, ensure adherence to firm quality and risk management standards, and contribute to timesheet/project billing support.
• Collaborate with colleagues in Indirect Tax (VAT), Corporate Tax, or Supply Chain teams on integrated client advisory engagements.

Joining us as a Customs Indirect Tax Assistant Manager/Manager, the minimum criteria you’ll need is relevant experience (e.g., internships in tax advisory, customs compliance, trade consulting, logistics, or professional services). It would be great if you had some of the following skills, but don’t worry if you don’t tick every box, we’ll help you develop along the way:

• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field such as Accounting, Finance, Business, Economics, Law, International Trade, or Supply Chain Management.
• Some years of relevant experience (e.g., internships in tax advisory, customs compliance, trade consulting, logistics, or professional services; strong graduates welcome).
• Basic awareness of UK customs and indirect tax principles (e.g., post-Brexit import/export rules, VAT on imports, or HMRC compliance requirements) preferred.
• Strong attention to detail, accuracy with data/documentation, and excellent organisational skills to manage multiple client tasks.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite (particularly Excel for data analysis/reconciliation, Word for report drafting, and PowerPoint for client presentations).
• Clear written and verbal communication skills for client correspondence, meeting notes, and supporting advisory outputs.

Embracing uniqueness, the culture at Grant Thornton thrives on the contributions of all our people, we never settle for what is easy, we look beyond to deliver the right thing, for everyone. Building an inclusive culture, where we value difference and respect our colleagues helps our people to perform at the best of their ability and realise their potential.

Our open and accessible culture means you’ll interact with leaders who are interested in you and everything you bring to our firm. The things that set you apart, we value them. That’s why we give you the freedom to bring your whole self to work and pursue your passions inside and outside of work.

Life is more than work. The things you do, and the people you’re with outside of work matter, that’s why we’re happy to look at flexible working options for all our roles, and we’ll always do our best to keep your work and life in balance.

The impact you can make here will go far beyond your day job. From secondments, to fundraising for local charities, or investing in entrepreneurs in the developing world, you’ll be giving back to society. It’s that drive to do the right thing that runs through our every move, grounded in our firm’s values – purposefully driven, actively curious and candid but kind.

We’re looking for people who want to contribute, spark fresh ideas and go beyond expectations. People who want to be able to proudly do what’s right, for the firm, our clients, our people and themselves.