VAT Assistant Manager

VAT Assistant Manager

Location: Crawley
Salary: £45,000 to £55,000
Work Pattern: Hybrid

Are you a VAT professional ready to move beyond pure compliance?

Do you want more advisory exposure and direct client conversations, not just preparing returns?

Would you like to specialise further within VAT inside a growing, well-resourced firm?

If you are looking for technical depth, real client ownership and a supportive environment to develop your advisory skillset, this could be the right next step.

What's great about this VAT Assistant Manager role?

• Strong focus on VAT advisory, not just compliance
• Exposure to complex technical work including partial exemption, property VAT and structuring
• Direct HMRC liaison and client-facing responsibility
• Clear progression within a growing specialist VAT team
• Hybrid and agile working in a modern, collaborative environment
• Paid overtime or time off in lieu

This is one of the largest independent firms in the Southeast, with a strong regional presence and a growing specialist tax function.

They combine technical strength with a genuinely people-focused culture. It is collaborative, forward-thinking and focused on long-term development rather than short-term fixes.

Your role as VAT Assistant Manager

You will take ownership of a diverse VAT portfolio, supporting a wide range of ambitious clients across different sectors.

This role sits at the heart of the VAT team. You will work closely with senior leadership, manage your own client relationships and play an active role in advisory projects and business development.

Day to day, you will:

• Prepare and review complex VAT returns and annual adjustments
• Advise on partial exemption and business/non-business apportionments
• Support voluntary disclosures and represent clients during VAT inspections
• Advise on place of supply, liability queries and contract reviews
• Provide guidance on property VAT matters including option to tax, capital goods scheme and property transactions
• Design VAT recovery methods and advise on structuring and intercompany arrangements
• Liaise directly with HMRC during routine inspections and audits
• Identify advisory opportunities and support cross-selling across the firm
• Contribute to technical updates, publications and internal knowledge sharing

The wider goal of the business is to deliver high-quality, commercially focused VAT advice while building long-term, trusted client relationships. You will play a key role in driving that forward.

What you'll need to succeed as VAT Assistant Manager

• ATT or AAT qualified as a minimum, CTA qualified or working towards desirable
• Strong VAT technical knowledge gained within UK practice
• Experience preparing and reviewing VAT returns, including complex adjustments
• Confidence explaining technical VAT issues to non-specialists
• Experience liaising directly with clients and HMRC
• Strong attention to detail and organisational skills
• A genuine interest in growing your VAT advisory career

Just as importantly, you will enjoy technical problem solving, value client interaction and be motivated to continue progressing within a specialist VAT path.

What next

I am looking for an ambitious VAT professional to join this growing team in Crawley.

If you are ready for more advisory exposure, clearer progression and a firm where you can genuinely develop as a VAT specialist, get in touch. Interviews are being arranged shortly.

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As an employer, we are committed to ensuring the representation of people from all backgrounds regardless of their gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, disability status, or any other aspect which makes them unique. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds to apply and would encourage you to let us know if there are steps, we can take to ensure that your recruitment process enables you to present yourself in a way that makes you comfortable.