VAT Manager in London

iQ is one of the UK's biggest providers of student accommodation, committed to giving our 37,000 students in 86 sites across 29 UK cities their best year yet.

Our London and Manchester based support teams are the cog that keeps the iQ wheels turning, providing our brilliant site teams with everything they need to deliver a fantastic student experience every day.

iQers are a pretty special bunch. Our team is bursting with independent thinkers and problem solvers, who join us to explore what's possible and build a career as part of a diverse, fun and supportive team. If you have people skills, personality and potential then you have all the makings of a great iQer.

Supporting the Tax Director, and working with the wider tax team and finance team, the VAT Manager will have responsibility for delivering on VAT compliance, advisory, accounting and risk management matters across iQ. The role combines technical VAT expertise with commercial judgement, effective stakeholder management and a commitment to ongoing improvements in processes and controls.

The VAT Manager will act as a trusted internal adviser on operational and transactional matters. Key relationships include the iQ Tax Team, the iQ Finance Team, iQ Property Teams, HMRC, and external advisers (eg Big 4/lawyers etc).

Key Responsibilities:

• Overall responsibility for delivery of VAT compliance, making use of internal and external resource as appropriate;
• Management of ongoing (and identification of opportunities for) process improvements, partnering with colleagues across the business where required;
• Working in conjunction with the Tax Director to maintain and develop relationships with HMRC, external advisers, and internal stakeholders;
• Consideration and delivery of tax training needs across iQ;
• Acting as an internal tax adviser within the iQ Group, including supporting with advice on operations, transactions, construction, and management of VAT related due diligence;
• Keeping up to date with new developments in VAT to ensure iQ is compliant – including involvement in external consultations and presentation to the Board and shareholders where required, and including advising on required changes to risk management documentation and policies.

Skills and Experience:

• Qualified CTA, ACA or equivalent;
• Strong technical knowledge of UK VAT, including partial exemption and VAT recovery principles, Capital Goods Scheme and other UK property-relevant legislation and guidance. Experience of VAT as it relates to student accommodation or a comparable residential property sector would be advantageous;
• Extensive knowledge of UK VAT compliance and administration, including knowledge of relevant claims, elections and HMRC processes;
• Strong VAT experience in a large accounting firm, and/or equivalent VAT experience in industry;
• Experience in managing a complex UK VAT compliance process, including for companies holding UK real estate (residential/student preferred);
• Familiarity with tax governance, controls and risk management requirements.

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We operate a hybrid working model with 3 days in the office and 2 days working from home / site location.

Ready to feel like you've got the best job ever? Apply today and find out what it's really like to work at iQ!