VAT (Indirect Tax) Manager

VAT (Indirect Tax) Manager

Bristol Full-Time 43200 - 72000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
PKF Francis Clark

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Manage a diverse client portfolio, delivering VAT and indirect tax advice while leading complex assignments.
  • Company: Join PKF Francis Clark, the largest independent chartered accountants in South West England, with a supportive culture.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, health plans, extra holiday options, and discounts on shopping and gym memberships.
  • Why this job: Grow your skills in a forward-thinking firm that values inclusion, community, and sustainability.
  • Qualifications: CTA/ACA/ACCA qualified or equivalent experience, with strong public practice and VAT management skills.
  • Other info: Be part of a Great Place to Work, recognised for outstanding training and development opportunities.

The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.

In a nutshell

Are you a VAT expert looking for a new challenge? Do you thrive in a professional yet relaxed environment? If so, we have the perfect opportunity for you! As a VAT Manager, you’ll manage a varied portfolio of clients, delivering high-quality VAT, indirect tax, and/or customs advice. You’ll lead on complex assignments, support junior colleagues, and collaborate across departments to ensure exceptional service. With access to structured leadership development programmes and a supportive team culture, this is a fantastic opportunity to grow your technical and managerial skills in a forward-thinking firm that values inclusion, community, and sustainability.

Please note – we are not accepting CVs from recruitment agencies for this role.

What you\’ll be doing day to day

  • Oversee a portfolio of complex clients, managing VAT, indirect tax, and/or customs compliance and advisory work
  • Lead and coordinate complex assignments, drawing on input from specialist teams as needed
  • Review team outputs, ensuring quality, accuracy, and proper documentation
  • Respond to client queries on VAT and/or customs issues, resolving them or escalating to Directors/Partners
  • Identify tax planning opportunities and present recommendations to senior leadership
  • Ensure compliance with internal policies and risk management procedures
  • Prepare budgets and fee proposals; monitor and manage fee recovery
  • Act as a key liaison for clients and collaborate with colleagues across departments to deliver excellent service
  • Support business development by identifying opportunities with new and existing clients
  • Manage team resourcing, delegate work effectively, and ensure deadlines are met
  • Provide coaching and feedback to junior team members, including regular 1:1s and performance reviews
  • Promote ESG initiatives, including environmental awareness and community engagement
  • Uphold values of fairness, transparency, and respect in all professional interactions

About you

  • CTA and/or ACA/ACCA qualified (or qualified by experience); CTA study supports available
  • Strong experience in public practice, with the ability to manage a VAT client portfolio
  • Proven track record in handling complex VAT assignments
  • Skilled in tax software and advanced use of Excel, Word, and Outlook
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Strong relationship-building abilities with clients and colleagues
  • Strategic thinker with commercial awareness and sound judgement
  • Proactive, self-motivated, and solutions focused
  • Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and resources effectively

Why work at PKF Francis Clark

As the largest firm of independent chartered accountants and business advisors in South West England, joining PKF Francis Clark brings opportunities to develop your career in a direction that interests you.

Having celebrated our centenary in 2019, we’re a team of nearly 1,000 people, based across our offices in Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth, Poole, Salisbury, Southampton, Taunton, Torquay and Truro.

Our culture is flexible and supportive, enabling you to be the best you can be. We work hard to ensure you can be yourself, develop and be part of a forward-thinking team that makes brilliant things happen. But don’t just take our word for it.

PKF Francis Clark is certified as a Great Place to Work. In 2024, we climbed nine places to 24 out of 105 large organisations on the list of the UK’s Best Workplaces.

We’re also ranked among the UK’s Best Workplaces for Women (33 out of 90 large organisations), Best Workplaces for Development (30 out of 100) and Best Workplace for Wellbeing (44 out of 100).

Workplace culture experts Great Place to Work also highlighted PKF Francis Clark as a top achiever among the UK’s Best Workplaces in Consulting & Professional Services.

And in recognition of our outstanding training programmes for graduates, school leavers and career changers, we’ve been ranked among England’s Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers for two years running.

Whilst we’re proudly independent, PKF Francis Clark is a member of the PKF Global family of firms – together we’re the 12th largest provider of accountancy services in the UK. Being part of a global community of business advisors in 150 countries provides opportunities to expand your horizons by connecting with PKF colleagues around the world.

Your core benefits

Financial benefits:
• Pension
• Group life assurance – up to four times your core salary
• Group income protection
• Health cash plan to help cover the costs of everyday healthcare

Health & Wellbeing benefits:
• Option to buy 5 extra days holiday*
• Counselling and support for you and your immediate family
• Virtual GP for you and your immediate family
• Cycle to work*

Other benefits:
• Medicash Extras providing you with shopping and gym discounts
• Gifts for career and family milestones
• One volunteering day per year to support local organisations
• Emergency funding from the Francis Clark Charitable Foundation
• Electric vehicle lease scheme*

Please note
* These benefits are provided via a salary exchange and are subject to employee’s post exchange hourly rate remaining above the national minimum wage.

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VAT (Indirect Tax) Manager employer: PKF Francis Clark

PKF Francis Clark is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and flexible work culture that prioritises employee development and well-being. As the largest independent chartered accountancy firm in South West England, we provide numerous opportunities for career growth, including structured leadership programmes and a commitment to inclusion and sustainability. Our recognition as a Great Place to Work and our extensive benefits package, including health support and volunteering initiatives, make us an attractive choice for VAT professionals seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
PKF Francis Clark

Contact Detail:

PKF Francis Clark Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land VAT (Indirect Tax) Manager

✨Tip Number 1

Network with professionals in the VAT and indirect tax field. Attend industry events, webinars, or local meetups to connect with potential colleagues and clients. Building relationships can lead to valuable insights and job opportunities.

✨Tip Number 2

Stay updated on the latest VAT regulations and trends. Subscribe to relevant newsletters or follow industry leaders on social media. Demonstrating your knowledge of current issues during interviews can set you apart from other candidates.

✨Tip Number 3

Consider reaching out to current employees at PKF Francis Clark for informational interviews. This can give you a better understanding of the company culture and expectations, and it shows your genuine interest in the role.

✨Tip Number 4

Prepare for potential interview questions by practising your responses to common scenarios faced by VAT Managers. Think about how you would handle complex assignments or client queries, as this will demonstrate your problem-solving skills.

We think you need these skills to ace VAT (Indirect Tax) Manager

VAT Expertise
Indirect Tax Knowledge
Customs Compliance
Client Portfolio Management
Complex Assignment Leadership
Tax Planning Strategies
Risk Management Procedures
Budget Preparation and Monitoring
Team Resourcing and Delegation
Coaching and Mentoring Skills
Excellent Verbal and Written Communication
Relationship-Building Abilities
Strategic Thinking
Commercial Awareness
Proactive Problem-Solving
Advanced Excel Skills
Familiarity with Tax Software
Organisational Skills
Attention to Detail

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your VAT expertise and relevant qualifications, such as CTA or ACA/ACCA. Emphasise your experience in managing a VAT client portfolio and handling complex assignments.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for VAT and indirect tax. Mention specific examples of how you've successfully managed client portfolios and led complex assignments, demonstrating your leadership skills.

Highlight Soft Skills: In your application, emphasise your excellent communication skills and relationship-building abilities. Mention your proactive approach and ability to manage multiple priorities, as these are key traits for the role.

Showcase Your Commitment to Values: Demonstrate your alignment with the company's values of fairness, transparency, and respect. Include examples of how you've promoted ESG initiatives or contributed to community engagement in your previous roles.

How to prepare for a job interview at PKF Francis Clark

✨Showcase Your VAT Expertise

Be prepared to discuss your experience with VAT and indirect tax in detail. Highlight specific complex assignments you've managed, and be ready to explain the strategies you used to resolve client issues.

✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills

As a VAT Manager, you'll be expected to lead and support junior colleagues. Share examples of how you've coached team members or led projects, emphasising your ability to delegate effectively and manage resources.

✨Prepare for Client Scenarios

Think about potential client queries related to VAT and customs that you might encounter. Prepare thoughtful responses and demonstrate your problem-solving skills by discussing how you would approach these situations.

✨Align with Company Values

Research PKF Francis Clark's values around inclusion, community, and sustainability. Be ready to discuss how your personal values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their ESG initiatives.

VAT (Indirect Tax) Manager
PKF Francis Clark
Location: Bristol

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