Tax Manager in Southampton

We are using and creating technology to transform operations at sea to enable people and the planet to thrive. We are open-minded and fearless in our approach to innovation and don't believe in boundaries. We challenge everything and have massive ambitions to drag aging industries into the tech era. We take safety, equality and education very seriously, and our responsibilities don't stop at our front door. Our business is built on the belief that there's definitely a more environmentally responsible way to operate at sea. We employ people who share our core values. We expect our people to be courageous, trustworthy, and conscientious, driven by a desire to do the right thing. We strive for excellence, work collaboratively, and are genuinely excited by our work. We offer opportunities for our people to develop beyond their role and span a multitude of disciplines. These are open to all, regardless of background and experience level. Working with us means being part of a team that is harnessing technology and creativity to disrupt a traditional industry. We are not your average workplace.

The Tax Manager (Tax Accounting & Reporting) is responsible for ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and transparency of tax-related balances within the financial statements. The role has a strong focus on tax accounting, balance sheet clean-up, reconciliations, and improving the quality of underlying financial data to support robust reporting and audit readiness. This position plays a key role in bridging tax and finance, ensuring that tax positions are correctly reflected in the general ledger and supported by high-quality documentation.

• Tax Accounting & Reporting
  • Own the preparation and review of tax provisions under UK GAAP / IFRS / US GAAP (as applicable), including current and deferred tax calculations.
  • Ensure accurate tax disclosures in statutory accounts and group reporting packs.
  • Manage quarterly and annual tax reporting processes, including consolidation of global inputs.
  • Review and validate tax journal entries to ensure correct accounting treatment.
• Balance Sheet Integrity & Clean-Up
  • Lead the review and clean-up of tax-related balance sheet accounts (e.g. corporation tax, VAT, payroll taxes, provisions, deferred tax).
  • Identify and resolve historical mispostings, aged balances, and unsupported items.
  • Ensure alignment between tax accounts, general ledger balances, and tax authority positions (e.g. matching tax account balances to filings/payments).
  • Drive improvements in balance sheet substantiation standards and documentation quality.
• Reconciliations & Month-End Close
  • Own or oversee tax-related balance sheet reconciliations (corporation tax, VAT, payroll taxes, intercompany tax balances).
  • Ensure reconciliations are clearly supported, fully explained (not just GL dumps), reviewed and signed off in line with audit expectations.
  • Work closely with finance teams to embed robust month-end processes, including standardised reconciliation templates and clear ownership and timelines.
  • Support the month-end close process, ensuring tax postings are complete and accurate.
• Process Improvement & Controls
  • Design and implement best practice processes for tax accounting and reconciliations.
  • Establish clear audit trails and documentation standards to support internal and external audits.
  • Identify control gaps and implement enhancements to mitigate financial and tax risk.
  • Drive automation and efficiency in tax reporting and reconciliation processes where possible.
• Audit & Stakeholder Management
  • Act as the primary point of contact for auditors on tax balances and reconciliations.
  • Support audit deliverables, including providing reconciliations, supporting documentation, and explanations.
  • Liaise with external advisors and internal finance teams to resolve technical accounting issues.
  • Provide clear, practical guidance to non-tax stakeholders on tax accounting impacts.
• Tax Compliance & Technical Oversight
  • Support tax compliance processes by ensuring accounting outputs are aligned with filed positions.
  • Monitor tax legislation and accounting developments impacting tax reporting.
  • Provide technical input on complex transactions, ensuring appropriate accounting treatment.
  • Support operations and commercial teams with analysis of tax impacts of a project, review and negotiation of tax clauses.
  • Prepare tax memos on technical areas (CFC analysis, interest deductibility, cash movement, UTP, Capital allowances and any other ad hoc areas analysis).

• Strong technical knowledge of tax accounting (current and deferred tax).
• Proven experience in balance sheet reconciliations and clean-up projects.
• Deep understanding of general ledger processes and financial reporting cycles.
• Experience working with auditors and handling audit queries.
• Highly analytical with strong attention to detail and ability to identify inconsistencies.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to translate complex issues into practical actions.

• ACA / ACCA / CTA (or equivalent).
• 5+ years’ relevant experience in tax accounting, reporting, or financial control.

At Ocean Infinity, we believe in creating equal opportunities for all, celebrating each and everyone’s differences. We are driven by transforming the industry, through our technology, thoughts, behaviours and actions. Being inclusive and respectful to all is fundamental to who we are. It is the right thing to do and enables innovation and creativity to thrive. There is more work to be done, and we know that we aren’t perfect, but our commitment to these values is unwavering. They are central to our mission and the impact we have on the industry, meaning, we cannot live without them.