At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead VAT compliance and governance for a dynamic international insurance business.
- Company: Join Howden, a fast-growing insurance intermediary with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, hybrid working, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a supportive and innovative environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by advising on complex VAT matters in a thriving industry.
- Qualifications: Significant VAT experience in financial services or insurance, with PESM expertise.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Howden is seeking an experienced Indirect Tax Manager to support the group’s indirect tax agenda across a fast-growing, international insurance intermediary business. This role will have responsibility for advising on VAT matters arising across the business, supporting compliance and governance, and partnering with finance and commercial stakeholders on the VAT treatment of complex transactions.
The successful candidate will bring strong practical VAT experience in financial services and/or insurance, including a solid understanding of insurance intermediary transactions, and must have hands-on experience operating a Partial Exemption Special Method (PESM) in a large or complex organisation. This is a high-impact role suited to someone who can combine strong technical knowledge with commercial awareness, an ability to work across jurisdictions, and a pragmatic approach to managing tax risk in a dynamic business environment.
Responsibilities- Oversee and support the UK outsourced VAT compliance processes, ensuring returns and related filings are accurate, timely and appropriately reviewed.
- Assist in establishing and maintaining robust indirect tax controls, documentation and governance.
- Support response to VAT audits, queries and information requests from tax authorities.
- Partner with finance, legal, operations and commercial teams to ensure VAT is considered early in decision-making.
- Provide training and guidance to non-tax stakeholders on key VAT issues relevant to the business.
- Work closely with external advisers where specialist or local country input is required.
- Identify process inefficiencies, data issues and control gaps, and recommend practical solutions.
- Contribute to the improvement of systems, reporting and documentation supporting indirect tax compliance and recovery.
- Take ownership of the operation, governance and ongoing review of the group’s Partial Exemption Special Method (PESM).
- Provide clear, practical VAT advice to the business on a wide range of matters arising in an international insurance intermediary group.
- Advise on the VAT treatment of insurance intermediary revenue streams and related transactions, including broking, fee income, commissions, delegated authority arrangements and other insurance distribution activities.
- Support the business on the VAT implications of new products, business models, contractual arrangements, and operational changes.
- Advise stakeholders on cross-border VAT issues, including place of supply, reverse charge, invoicing, and recovery implications.
- Support the business on ad-hoc Insurance Premium Tax queries.
- Significant VAT / indirect tax experience, ideally gained in an in-house tax team within financial services, insurance or a large international group; and/or a professional services firm with substantial financial services / insurance client exposure.
- Demonstrable experience operating a Partial Exemption Special Method (PESM), including practical involvement in methodology application, input VAT recovery calculations, annual adjustments and governance.
- Strong knowledge of insurance intermediary transactions and the VAT issues arising in an insurance broking / insurance distribution environment.
- Experience of advising on exempt, taxable and outside-the-scope supplies in a complex partial exemption setting.
- Experience managing VAT risk in a commercially focused business environment.
We support reasonable adjustments to ensure positions align well with your needs, including flexible hours and hybrid working where applicable. We value diversity and inclusion in our workforce.
Indirect Tax manager employer: Howden Group Services Limited
Howden is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture, offering flexible hours and hybrid working options to support employee well-being. With a strong focus on professional development, employees are encouraged to grow their skills in a fast-paced international environment, particularly in the field of indirect tax within the insurance sector. Joining Howden means being part of a collaborative team that values diversity and provides opportunities to make a meaningful impact across jurisdictions.
Contact Details:
Howden Group Services Limited Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Indirect Tax manager
✨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 Howden Group Services Limited, 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 Indirect Tax manager
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 Howden Group Services Limited'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 Howden Group Services Limited. 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 Howden Group Services Limited!
How to prepare for a job interview at Howden Group Services Limited
✨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 Howden Group Services Limited.
✨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 Howden Group Services Limited. It helps to show our commitment!
