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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 innovation, inclusion, 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 ÂŁ 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 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*
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 lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 2
Stay updated on the latest VAT regulations and trends. Subscribe to relevant newsletters or follow thought leaders in the industry on social media. This knowledge will not only prepare you for interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to the field.
✨Tip Number 3
Consider reaching out to current or former employees of PKF Francis Clark. They can provide valuable insights into the company culture and expectations for the Senior VAT Manager role, helping you tailor your approach during the application process.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your leadership experiences and how you've mentored others in previous roles. Highlight specific examples that showcase your ability to develop high-performing teams, as this is a key aspect of the position you're applying for.
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 requires strong leadership capabilities. Share examples of how you've mentored team members and fostered a high-performance culture. Discuss your approach to developing others and driving team success.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
Employers are looking for candidates who can think strategically. Prepare to discuss how you've identified and led VAT planning initiatives, and be ready to present recommendations that align with business goals.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Management Questions
Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills are crucial for this position. Think of instances where you've influenced senior stakeholders or resolved client issues, and be ready to share these experiences during the interview.
