Tax Manager

We are seeking a CTA‑qualified Tax Manager to take ownership of the businesses tax needs managing all aspects of the Firm’s tax affairs, supported by the Tax Accountant. This role will take ownership of key areas of tax compliance, reporting and governance, while providing proactive tax advisory support to the business. The successful candidate will play a critical role in ensuring accurate tax reporting, mitigating tax risk, and supporting the Finance Team in delivering an effective and compliant tax function across the organisation.

Responsibilities

• Tax Compliance & Reporting
  • Manage the preparation and review of UK partnership tax return, partner self assessment tax returns, corporation tax computations and returns for all UK entities, ensuring timely and accurate submissions and payment of taxes.
  • Prepare tax analysis and supporting schedules for year-end statutory accounts, including current and deferred tax calculations.
  • Support the team in managing the Firm’s overall effective tax rate and forecasting tax cash payments.
  • Liaise with external tax advisers where required and manage associated deliverables.
  • Work in collaboration with the Partnership Accountant on partner tax reserves and current accounts, onboarding of new partners and managing partner leavers.
  • International taxes; oversee the tax filing requirements for the international jurisdictions and assess recoverability of those taxes in the UK.
  • Monitoring of transfer pricing arrangements and any other group tax matters.
• VAT
  • Overseeing and reviewing the Tax Accountants preparation of UK VAT returns, ensuring VAT is accurately applied, recovered and reported.
  • Provide guidance to the wider business on VAT treatment of transactions and maintain strong VAT controls.
  • Assist with implementing changes to VAT processes in response to legislative updates.
  • Awareness and oversight of overseas VAT requirements (returns prepared by 3rd party accountant).
• Employment Tax / PAYE / IR35
  • Support with employment tax matters including PSA calculations, benefits-in-kind and PAYE/NIC compliance.
  • Review and maintain IR35 compliance processes, ensuring the correct tax treatment of off‑payroll workers.
  • Provide day‑to‑day guidance to HR and Finance on employment tax queries including collaboration with our Payroll & Benefits Specialist.
• Tax Risk, Governance & Advisory
  • Maintain up‑to‑date awareness of UK tax legislation, proactively assessing how changes impact the business.
  • Support the development and enhancement of internal tax processes, controls, and governance frameworks.
  • Act as a subject matter expert, providing practical tax advice on business initiatives, transactions, commercial arrangements or operational queries (e.g. VAT, withholding tax, transfer pricing, corporate tax implications).
  • Assist with HMRC enquiries and ensure timely, appropriate responses.
• Cross‑Functional Support
  • Build strong relationships across Finance, Procurement, HR and Operational teams to ensure tax is considered in business decisions.
  • Support internal stakeholders with tax queries and provide training where required.
  • Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within the Finance team.
• General
  • Take responsibility for own technical development and undertake relevant training.
  • Assist the wider Finance team with ad‑hoc tax projects, including systems improvements, restructuring, and process optimisation.

Essential & Desirable Criteria

Essential Skills & Experience

• CTA qualified (or equivalent) with strong UK tax technical knowledge.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a UK mixed tax environment, ideally including in‑house experience or a mix of practice and industry.
• Strong understanding of UK partnership tax, VAT and employment taxes.
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills with strong attention to detail.
• Confident communicator able to explain complex tax issues to non‑tax colleagues.
• Highly organised with ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Self‑motivated and pro‑active, with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Experience working with tax software (CCH, IRIS) and strong Excel capability.
• High levels of confidentiality, discretion, and diplomacy.

Desirable

• Experience in a large or multi‑entity UK based organisation with international presence.
• Exposure to tax governance frameworks (e.g. SAO, CCO).
• Experience with tax technology improvements or ERP systems.
• Ability to manage relationships with HMRC and external advisers.
• Supervisory/Team management experience.

At our firm, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is a priority and at the heart of everything we do. We actively want to attract a diverse workforce and welcome applications from everyone, from all backgrounds. We are committed to promoting an inclusive culture where everyone can be their full selves and experience being seen and heard. We ensure that there are equal opportunities and treatment for all job applicants and employees, at all stages of the recruitment process and employment, regardless of age, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, disability, race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and social background. We aim to provide adjustments for people who have a disability, long‑term health condition (including mental health) or neurodiversity. If you would like to request an adjustment, please contact sam.austin@penningtonslaw.com.