VAT Assistant Manager

Ref

573

Vacancy type

Tax - VAT

Location

Edinburgh

Employment type

Full-time

Closing date

14/12/2026

Description

The role

We are looking for a full-time VAT Assistant Manager to join our VAT advisory team. This is an interesting and varied role which will require the successful candidate to advise on all aspects of VAT. The team is investing in the use of data analytics, AI and tax technology to enhance how VAT services are delivered. Our client base is a blend of owner managed businesses, private wealth and estates, mid to large-sized corporates and charities/NFPs, and the VAT advisory team advises clients across all sectors.

The successful candidate will be ambitious and keen to learn, understand the value of excellent client service, and want to be part of growing the VAT practice. They will also have an interest in the use of data analytics and technology within the tax profession and be keen to contribute to the development of technology-enabled VAT services.

The responsibilities

• Advising clients on all aspects of VAT including land and property transactions, VAT recovery and partial exemption, place of supply and VAT liability matters.
• Using data analytics and tax technology tools to review client VAT data, identify risks, anomalies and opportunities, support VAT health checks and compliance reviews, and enhance the quality and efficiency of the advice delivered to clients.
• Contributing to the development and continuous improvement of the team’s VAT technology capabilities and data-driven service offerings.
• Managing day-to-day advisory assignments, providing client service face to face, through virtual meetings, effective written correspondence and formal advice reports.
• Achieving high technical standards with a commercial and practical focus on the outcomes that clients are trying to achieve.
• Liaising with HMRC on behalf of clients to achieve positive outcomes on matters such as VAT registrations and deregistrations, error corrections, and interest and penalty notices.
• Assisting in the drafting of VAT articles and updates for publication on the firm’s external website.
• Involvement in managing a small portfolio of VAT compliance clients, assisting in the preparation, review and submission of VAT returns.

The team

The VAT team is a truly national VAT practice with clients from Inverness to Bournemouth. We advise a very broad range of clients and, whilst individuals within the team are encouraged to develop sector specialisms, we are not organised into technical silos.

The successful candidate would join an advisory team of eighteen comprising two partners, three directors, two senior managers, five managers, and six trainees.

The team works closely with the accounting and outsourcing teams, as well as audit and private wealth teams, across the firm.

You

• Experience of VAT across sectors and an excellent understanding of VAT principles for UK domestic and cross-border transactions.
• Interest and experience in land and property VAT matters would be particularly advantageous.
• A commercial and practical outlook when delivering advice, with the ability to understand the objectives and needs of clients.
• The ability to draft clear, coherent and concise technical reports and other forms of written advice.
• Strong IT and data analysis skills, including advanced Excel capabilities and experience of reviewing and interpreting transactional data.
• An interest in using and developing tax technology and data analytics tools to review client VAT data, identify VAT risks and opportunities, and improve the quality and efficiency of VAT advisory services.
• Experience of Power BI, Alteryx, SQL, data visualisation tools or similar technologies would be advantageous, although training and support will be provided.
• Excellent client service standards and the ability and confidence to discuss VAT matters directly with clients and obtain all necessary facts to provide practical, commercially focused advice.
• A personable approach and the ability to explain complex VAT issues to non-specialists, including non-tax colleagues and external stakeholders such as lawyers, land agents and banks.
• Enthusiasm and motivation for developing technical knowledge and keeping up to date with HMRC guidance, legislation and case law developments.
• A proactive approach to problem solving, technical research and continuous improvement.
• Curiosity about the application of technology, auto…