Vat Manager

Practice Group / Department:

Partner Affairs and Tax - London

Job Description

We're Norton Rose Fulbright - a global law firm with over 50 offices and 7,000 employees worldwide. We provide the world’s preeminent corporations and financial institutions with a full business law service. As well as the relevant skills and experience, we're looking for people who are innovative, commercial and value the work that they do. To attract the best people, we strive to create a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone can bring their whole selves to work, have a sense of belonging, and realize their full career potential. We value difference and actively promote a culture of respect for each individual, encouraging and creating inclusion. Our new hybrid working model allows our people to have more flexibility in the way they choose to work from both the office and a remote location, while continuing to deliver the highest standards of service. We offer a range of family friendly and inclusive employment policies and provide access to programmes and services aimed at nurturing our people’s health and overall wellbeing.

The Team

Norton Rose Fulbright are seeking a VAT Manager for a Fixed Term Contract (12-18 months) to join the Finance team which works across the Europe, Middle East and Asia region (“EMEA”).   The VAT Manager role can be based in London or Newcastle and will report to the Director of Partner Affairs and Tax (based on London).

The role would suit an individual with strong VAT technical skills and a deep understanding of VAT processes, governance, risk management and process improvement in a professional services firm environment. The role will work very closely with colleagues across EMEA including those in finance, compliance and systems.

The Role

Policy, Guidelines and Advice

• Reviewing and updating EMEA’s UK VAT compliance advice and strategy ensuring that documentation related to the management of VAT is relevant and accurate

• Writing, communicating and maintaining EMEA VAT Policy and Guidelines to ensure that EMEA’s wider policies consider VAT (for example, client on-boarding and billing) and are consistent with the EMEA’s Tax Strategy

• Liaising with tax authorities on VAT reviews, disputes and disclosures

• Ensuring efficient VAT processes and structures maximize cash flow

• Making recommendations around process improvements and use of technology which may go beyond a normal VAT scope

Process improvement and risk management

• Reviewing and documenting VAT processes and reporting to identify and assess risks and ensure operational excellence and compliance. Where potential risks are identified, review further internal processes and systems to effectively address that risk (for example a recently implemented expenses management system) 

• Liaising across teams to ensure that VAT policies are aligned with business interest and legal and regulatory requirements 

• Review quarterly VAT returns, in doing so identify and implement improvements to VAT Compliance (eg compliance with Making Tax Digital)

• Conduct VAT training sessions for colleagues in order to raise awareness and reduce risk including the communication of VAT developments and provision of technical VAT advice

Projects

• Lead the implementation of a VAT Group registration (we have committed to look at implementing a VAT Group)

• Lead and/or participate in projects across EMEA, working with advisers where appropriate

Location

The role is based in the London or Newcastle Office (Hybrid working).  Travel would be required between both offices.  Overseas travel may be required.

Skills and experience 

Experience required for the role:

• Operated as a VAT Manager or equivalent role in a professional partnership (essential), preferably in a professional law partnership (preferred)

• An accounting or tax qualification appropriate for the role (essential)

• Have experience of project management and projects delivery (preferred)

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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

To attract the best people, we strive to create a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone can bring their whole selves to work, have a sense of belonging, and realize their full career potential. 

Our new enabled work model allows our people to have more flexibility in the way they choose to work from both the office and a remote location, while continuing to deliver the highest standards of service. We offer a range of family friendly and inclusive employment policies and provide access to programmes and services aimed at nurturing our people’s health and overall wellbeing. Find more about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion here.

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams. We strive to create an inclusive and accessible recruitment process for all candidates. If you require any tailored adjustments or accommodations, please let us know here.