At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead VAT compliance and financial governance for the UK and Ireland.
- Company: Join a dynamic FMCG company in Slough with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, flexible contract, and networking opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace welcoming diverse backgrounds and experiences.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in finance while developing your skills in a global environment.
- Qualifications: Professional accounting or tax qualification and strong finance experience required.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 90000 £ per year.
The UK&I VAT Lead plays a key role within the UK&I Finance organisation, supporting the VAT Manager in delivering a robust control environment, statutory compliance, and financial governance across the UK and Ireland.
This role combines technical VAT expertise with broader finance leadership responsibilities, including process improvement, reconciliations, transformation projects, risk management, business partnering, and operational oversight.
Client Details
This role is within the FMCG industry and is based in Slough.
- Description
- Financial Control, Governance & Compliance
- Lead the delivery of UK and Ireland VAT compliance obligations, ensuring accurate and timely filing of all VAT returns and related submissions.
- Maintain a strong financial control environment across VAT processes and activities.
- Review and oversee VAT balance sheet reconciliations, ensuring timely investigation and resolution of reconciling items.
- Support month-end, quarter-end, and year-end reporting activities relating to VAT and indirect taxes.
- Monitor VAT positions, liabilities, recoveries, and exposures, providing clear insight into emerging risks and opportunities.
- Ensure compliance with internal policies, external regulations, and statutory requirements.
- Support Senior Accounting Officer requirements and other corporate governance obligations.
- Partner with internal and external auditors to support audits, compliance reviews, and remediation activities.
- Business Partnering & Stakeholder Management
- Provide VAT and financial governance support to business stakeholders across multiple functions.
- Act as a trusted advisor to Finance, Commercial, Procurement, Supply Chain, Legal, and Shared Service teams.
- Collaborate with key stakeholders to ensure VAT considerations are appropriately incorporated into business decisions and operational activities.
- Support strategic business initiatives by assessing financial, control, and VAT implications.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with external advisors, tax authorities, and industry networks where appropriate.
- Process Improvement, Transformation & Projects
- Lead and support finance transformation initiatives impacting indirect tax and wider finance operations.
- Identify opportunities to improve processes, simplify activities, enhance controls, and reduce operational risk.
- Drive automation and digitalisation initiatives to improve efficiency and reporting capability.
- Act as Finance lead or subject matter expert for VAT-related systems enhancements, implementations, and business change projects.
- Support acquisitions, divestments, restructures, and business integration activities from a VAT and finance perspective.
- Partner with Digital Technologies teams to improve system functionality, reporting accuracy, and process effectiveness.
- Champion continuous improvement and best practice across finance operations.
- Risk Management & Technical Oversight
- Identify, assess, and mitigate VAT and indirect tax risks across the business.
- Monitor legislative and regulatory developments, evaluating potential business impacts.
- Implement appropriate controls and process changes to manage evolving regulatory requirements.
- Support governance reviews and periodic control assessments.
- Maintain robust process documentation and operational procedures.
- Leadership & Team Contribution
- Provide coaching, guidance, and technical support to colleagues within the VAT and broader Finance teams.
- Coordinate activities across multiple stakeholders to ensure delivery of priorities and deadlines.
- Support capability building and knowledge sharing within the team.
- Deputise for the UK&I VAT Manager when required.
- Contribute actively to department and Finance function objectives.
- Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, collaboration, and customer focus.
- Profile
Essential
- Professional accounting or tax qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CTA or equivalent experience).
- Strong experience within finance, accounting, tax, controllership, shared services, or governance environments.
- Demonstrated experience managing financial controls, reconciliations, and compliance processes.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities with high attention to detail.
- Experience leading or supporting finance transformation, systems, or process improvement initiatives.
- Ability to influence and engage stakeholders across multiple functions and levels of the organisation.
- Proven capability to manage competing priorities in a complex business environment.
- Strong communication and business partnering skills.
- Preferred
- Experience in indirect tax, VAT, or related compliance disciplines.
- Knowledge of SAP and finance reporting systems.
- Experience operating within a large multinational or shared service environment.
- Exposure to business integrations, acquisitions, or large-scale transformation projects.
- Experience supporting audit, governance, and risk management activities.
- Job Offer
- Daily rate equivalent to an annual rate of £90,000.
- Temporary contract offering flexibility with opportunity to network within a global organisation
If you're interested in this role, apply now.
People are at the heart of Michael Page.
We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.
As an inclusive recruiter we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities and experiences.
If you require any adjustments or accommodations during the recruitment process, we'll work with you to ensure you can perform at your best.
VAT Lead in Slough employer: Michael Page Finance Careers
As a Financial Accountant with a local authority in London, you will be part of a dynamic team dedicated to maintaining financial integrity and transparency within the public sector. The organisation fosters a supportive work culture that values professional development, offering opportunities for growth and advancement while contributing to meaningful community impact. Enjoy the unique advantage of working in a vibrant city, where your expertise will play a crucial role in shaping effective financial operations.
Contact Details:
Michael Page Finance Careers Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land VAT Lead in Slough
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We think you need these skills to ace VAT Lead in Slough
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✨Brush Up on Financial Regulations
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