VAT Manager / Financial Services / London / Advisory Focus / WFH

VAT Manager - Financial Services

London Financial Services Almost 100% Advisory Hybrid Working

A leading independent accountancy and advisory firm is looking to appoint an experienced VAT Manager to join its established London VAT team, with a particular focus on Financial Services clients.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced VAT professional looking to move away from a compliance-heavy position and into a role focused almost exclusively on consultancy and advisory work.

You'll work with an impressive portfolio of Financial Services clients, managing your own relationships while delivering technical VAT advice, reviews, due diligence and project work.

The role also offers significant exposure to Partners and senior specialists, alongside the opportunity to play an active part in developing the firm's Financial Services and VAT offering.

The Role

You will manage a portfolio of clients while providing specialist VAT advice across a broad range of Financial Services matters.

The work is predominantly advisory, with only occasional compliance responsibilities.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Managing a portfolio of Financial Services clients.
• Providing technical VAT advisory services directly to clients, Partners and colleagues across the firm.
• Responding to ad hoc VAT queries across a varied client base.
• Undertaking VAT reviews and advisory assignments independently.
• Supporting senior colleagues on more complex technical projects.
• Reviewing VAT advice and calculations prepared by other members of the team.
• Advising on partial exemption and related VAT matters.
• Supporting VAT due diligence assignments.
• Preparing the VAT sections of due diligence reports.
• Liaising directly with HMRC regarding technical queries and client matters.
• Attending client meetings and clearly communicating complex VAT advice.
• Identifying practical solutions and recommendations for clients.
• Supporting the continued development of the VAT and Financial Services practices.
• Attending networking and industry events.
• Preparing technical and marketing material.
• Supporting and leading meetings with prospective clients.
• Contributing to technical articles, seminars and presentations.

You'll have strong VAT advisory experience together with Financial Services sector exposure, ideally gained within an accountancy firm, tax consultancy or other professional services environment.

A professional tax or accounting qualification would be preferred, although relevant technical experience will be equally important.

You'll need to be comfortable managing client relationships and delivering advisory assignments with a high degree of independence.

Previous experience dealing directly with HMRC and managing your own portfolio would be advantageous.

You'll also have excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to take complex VAT legislation and provide clients with clear, practical and commercially relevant advice.

Experience presenting at seminars, producing technical articles or becoming involved in business development would also be beneficial.

The standout attraction is the opportunity to work in a VAT position that is almost entirely consultancy and advisory focused.

Rather than spending the majority of your time managing VAT compliance, you'll be able to develop deeper technical expertise while working directly with Financial Services clients on complex and commercially important issues.

You'll benefit from:

• Almost exclusively VAT advisory and consultancy work
• Specialist Financial Services exposure
• Minimal compliance
• Direct client and Partner interaction
• VAT due diligence experience
• Complex partial exemption work
• Business development and networking opportunities
• Strong technical development
• Hybrid and flexible working
• Clear opportunities for continued progression

This would particularly suit an experienced VAT professional who wants to develop as a genuine Financial Services VAT specialist while retaining broad advisory exposure.