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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic VAT projects, mentor teams, and manage complex client portfolios.
- Company: Join PKF Francis Clark, a top independent accountancy firm in South West England.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible work, health plans, extra holiday options, and discounts on shopping and gym memberships.
- Why this job: Make an impact in a supportive culture that values inclusion, innovation, and professional growth.
- Qualifications: Must be CTA/ACA/ACCA qualified with experience in senior VAT advisory roles.
- Other info: Be part of a globally connected team with opportunities for career development.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
In a nutshell
Looking to step into a more strategic VAT leadership role? Join our dynamic and inclusive team as a Senior VAT Manager, where you will lead high-impact advisory projects, shape client strategy and drive business development. You will oversee complex portfolios, mentor future leaders and act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders. With access to advanced leadership development pathways and the opportunity to influence firm-wide initiatives including ESG and innovation, this role offers the perfect blend of challenge, autonomy and impact in a collaborative and values-driven environment.
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 high-value and technically complex clients across VAT, indirect tax, and/or customs, ensuring strategic delivery of advisory and compliance services
- Lead multi-disciplinary teams on complex assignments, integrating input from legal, finance, and international tax specialists
- Provide technical oversight and quality assurance on all client deliverables, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and compliance with regulatory standards
- Act as a senior escalation point for client issues, offering expert guidance and liaising with Directors/Partners on resolution strategies
- Identify and lead on VAT and/or customs planning initiatives, presenting recommendations to senior leadership and clients
- Drive adherence to risk management protocols and internal compliance frameworks
- Develop and manage budgets, pricing strategies, and profitability targets across client engagements
- Build and maintain senior client relationships, acting as a trusted advisor and strategic partner
- Lead business development efforts, including proposal development, networking, and thought leadership
- Mentor and develop team members, fostering a high-performance culture through coaching, feedback, and structured development plans
- Champion ESG and CSR initiatives, embedding sustainability and community engagement into team practices
- Promote a culture of inclusion, fairness, and ethical conduct across all stakeholder interactions
About you
- CTA and/or ACA/ACCA qualified, with significant post-qualification experience in a senior VAT advisory role
- Proven track record in managing complex portfolios and delivering strategic tax solutions
- Deep technical expertise in VAT and/or customs, with strong commercial acumen
- Advanced proficiency in tax technology platforms and data analytics tools
- Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at senior levels
- Strategic thinker with a proactive, solutions-focused mindset
- Strong leadership capabilities, with experience in managing and developing high-performing teams
- Committed to continuous improvement, innovation, and professional development
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) Senior 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) Senior 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 help you gain insights into the role and may even lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 2
Stay updated on the latest VAT regulations and trends. Subscribe to relevant newsletters or follow thought leaders on social media. Demonstrating your knowledge of current issues during interviews can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership experience in detail. Think of specific examples where you've successfully managed teams or projects. Highlighting your ability to mentor and develop others will resonate well with the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 4
Familiarise yourself with PKF Francis Clark's values and culture. Understanding their commitment to inclusion, sustainability, and professional development will help you align your responses during interviews and show that you're a good fit for their team.
We think you need these skills to ace VAT (Indirect Tax) Senior Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your qualifications, particularly your CTA and/or ACA/ACCA credentials. Emphasise your experience in managing complex VAT portfolios and delivering strategic tax solutions, as these are key requirements for the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, demonstrate your understanding of the role and the company. Discuss your leadership experience, your ability to mentor others, and how you can contribute to their ESG and CSR initiatives. Be specific about your achievements in previous roles.
Showcase Technical Expertise: Highlight your deep technical expertise in VAT and/or customs. Provide examples of how you've used tax technology platforms and data analytics tools to drive results in past positions. This will show that you have the necessary skills to excel in this role.
Prepare for Potential Questions: Think about the types of questions you might be asked during an interview. Prepare to discuss your strategic thinking, stakeholder management skills, and how you've led teams in the past. Being ready with examples will help you stand out.
How to prepare for a job interview at PKF Francis Clark
✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise
As a Senior VAT Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your deep technical knowledge in VAT and customs. Be prepared to discuss specific cases where you've successfully managed complex portfolios and delivered strategic tax solutions.
✨Highlight Leadership Experience
This role involves mentoring and developing high-performing teams. Share examples of how you've led teams in the past, focusing on your leadership style and how you foster a culture of inclusion and high performance.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Management Questions
Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills are crucial. Think of instances where you've influenced senior stakeholders or resolved client issues, and be ready to discuss your approach to building and maintaining these relationships.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
The role requires a proactive, solutions-focused mindset. Prepare to discuss how you've identified and led on VAT planning initiatives, and be ready to present your recommendations in a clear and compelling manner.
