VAT Director

Waystone leads the way in specialist services for the asset management industry. Partnering with institutional investors, investment funds and asset managers, Waystone builds, supports and protects investment structures and strategies worldwide. With over 20 years’ experience and a comprehensive range of specialist services to its name, Waystone is now serving assets under management in excess of $2Tn. Waystone provides its clients with the guidance and tools to allow them to focus on managing their investment goals with confidence.

Reporting to the Group Financial Controller, the successful candidate will be responsible for managing all aspects of VAT in Waystone EMEA. The EMEA VAT Director will be responsible for directing Group Policy & Procedure around all aspects of VAT and embedding it into business process. A key element to success is working closely with various Finance teams responsible for managing legal entity accounting in different jurisdictions.

• Manage and prepare the UK and Ireland VAT returns and supporting work papers on an accurate and timely basis.
• Coordinate and review the VAT returns for Luxembourg.
• Manage and prepare any returns/regular reporting that Irish Revenue Commissioners/HMRC requires in connection to VAT Compliance, including all VIES and annual ROTD returns.
• Drive Policies and Procedures in Ireland, Luxembourg and UK for VAT.
• Review and identify improvements to processes around invoicing, supplier procurement, expense management, out of pockets expenses, intercompany charges and commission calculations.
• Review recovery rates and methodology, critically assessing whether there are gaps/challenges in current practice and specifying how these can be addressed for Ireland, UK and Luxembourg.
• Manage the VAT Group Structure in Ireland and the UK, identifying areas of inefficiency in our VAT structure and opportunities to improve the structure.
• Assess intercompany recharges and transfer pricing from a VAT perspective.
• Develop a framework for assessing how we contract internally and externally with mind to minimising VAT leakage between Ireland, UK and Luxembourg.
• Work with the Group Outsourcing Team to ensure VAT is incorporated in all new and existing outsourced activities and intercompany agreements.
• Work with finance and management accounting teams to ensure a compliant and optimal set‑up of business operations for the purposes of preparing VAT returns.
• Work with group finance to maintain optimal VAT configuration of accounting software.
• Run VAT training workshops for Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable teams and act as principal counsel on all VAT related billing queries including tax coding, rate changes, place of supply, reverse charge.
• Assist with developing good working relationships with HMRC/Irish Revenue Commissioners.
• Manage any external corporate audit reviews or HMRC/Irish Revenue Commissioners/Luxembourg Inland Revenue VAT audit requests.
• Support any internal compliance monitoring or internal audit reviews of VAT compliance processes.
• Monitor VAT developments to ensure Group complies with all legislative requirements.
• Coordinate external advisers to support with VAT claims and queries.

The above list of key accountabilities is not an exhaustive list and may change from time‑to‑time based on business needs. Working with colleagues across the Waystone Group, ensuring effective collaboration, communication, and development of solutions. Building and maintaining excellent relationships with all key internal and external stakeholders. Assisting the business unit managers on commercial/client facing matters as they are required. Mentoring and developing junior colleagues in the finance team as required.

• Experience of working in a finance function VAT role or professional practice. Experience of working in the Financial Services sector is not essential but helpful.
• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree and a professional tax qualification.
• Excellent knowledge of VAT legislation and VAT accounting.
• Understanding of accounting systems, such as Sage Intacct.
• Highly adaptable with an exceptionally organized approach.
• Collaborative and flexible style. Needs to be seen as a team player who is committed to lifelong learning.