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- 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 or ACA/ACCA qualified; strong experience in public practice and managing VAT portfolios required.
- Other info: PKF Francis Clark is ranked among the UK's Best Workplaces and offers global networking 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 advisers in South West England, PKF Francis Clark offers a breadth of opportunities to develop your career in the way that’s right for you.
Established in 1919, we’ve grown to a team of nearly 1,000 people, based across our offices in Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth, Poole, Salisbury, Southampton, Taunton, Torquay and Truro. This means we’re big enough to do challenging work for exciting clients, but small enough to maintain our friendly and supportive culture.
We work hard to ensure you can belong, be yourself and be brilliant as part of a forward‑thinking team. This includes a flexible approach to hybrid working. And our focus on wellbeing and learning and development has been recognised nationally.
For the past three years, PKF Francis Clark has been certified as a Great Place to Work and ranked among the UK’s Best Workplaces. In 2025, we climbed four places to 20 out of 100 large organisations on this prestigious list.
We’re also in the UK’s top 10 Best Workplaces for Women (6 out of 100 large organisations), as well as being ranked among the Best Workplaces for Wellbeing (35 out of 100), Best Workplaces for Development (24 out of 100) and Best Workplaces in Consulting and Professional Services.
All these lists are compiled by workplace culture experts Great Place to Work. Our rankings are a direct result of feedback from our people in a confidential, independent annual survey.
The success rates of our trainees mean we’re also ranked 33rd in The Sunday Times Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers 2025.
While we’re proudly independent, we collaborate with colleagues around the world to enable our clients to succeed. 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 this international network provides opportunities to connect with like‑minded accountants and business advisers in 150 countries.
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
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 insider knowledge about the company culture and expectations, helping you tailor your approach when applying.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience with complex VAT assignments in detail. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've managed client portfolios and resolved issues, as this will showcase your expertise and problem-solving skills.
We think you need these skills to ace VAT (Indirect Tax) Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in VAT and indirect tax management. Focus on specific achievements and responsibilities that align with the job description, such as managing complex client portfolios and leading assignments.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for VAT and your ability to thrive in a professional yet relaxed environment. Mention how your skills and experiences make you a perfect fit for the role and the company culture.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Clearly state your qualifications, such as CTA, ACA, or ACCA, and any relevant experience in public practice. Emphasise your proficiency in tax software and advanced Excel skills, as these are crucial for the role.
Showcase Soft Skills: In your application, highlight your excellent communication skills, relationship-building abilities, and strategic thinking. Provide examples of how you've successfully managed teams and supported junior colleagues in previous roles.
How to prepare for a job interview at PKF Francis Clark
✨Showcase Your VAT Expertise
Make sure to highlight your experience with VAT and indirect tax during the interview. Be prepared to discuss specific complex assignments you've managed, as this will demonstrate your capability to handle the responsibilities of the role.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Since the role involves leading teams and supporting junior colleagues, share examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past. Discuss your approach to coaching and providing feedback, as well as any leadership development programmes you've participated in.
✨Prepare for Client Scenarios
Anticipate questions related to client interactions and problem-solving. Think of instances where you've resolved client queries or identified tax planning opportunities, and be ready to explain your thought process and the outcomes.
✨Align with Company Values
Research PKF Francis Clark's values around inclusion, community, and sustainability. Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their ESG initiatives, showcasing your commitment to fairness and respect in professional interactions.
