W Talent
Tax Analyst
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
VAT Accountant
Location: West London
Function: Finance – Shared Service Centre
Reporting to: VAT Manager / Indirect Tax Manager
The Opportunity
A leading international organisation is looking for a VAT Accountant to join its Shared Service Centre finance team.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone in the early stages of their indirect tax career who wants to develop their VAT expertise within an international, process-driven environment.
The VAT Accountant will support the preparation, review and submission of VAT returns for a portfolio of legal entities. The role will involve working with financial data from multiple business units, completing reconciliations, investigating discrepancies and ensuring filings are accurate, complete and submitted within the relevant deadlines.
The successful candidate will have practical experience of VAT compliance gained within an in-house finance function, shared service centre, accountancy practice or tax consultancy. They will be comfortable working with transactional data and established processes, while also identifying opportunities to improve controls and ways of working.
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare VAT returns and supporting calculations for a portfolio of UK and international entities.
- Review VAT returns and compliance work prepared by other team members, where appropriate.
- Complete VAT account reconciliations and investigate differences between VAT returns, general ledger balances and source data.
- Review transactions to confirm the correct VAT treatment has been applied.
- Collate data from ERP systems and other financial sources, checking its completeness and accuracy.
- Maintain clear and complete supporting documentation and audit trails.
- Ensure VAT returns and related submissions are completed accurately and within statutory deadlines.
- Support the preparation of Intrastat, EC Sales Lists and other indirect tax filings, where applicable.
- Assist with responses to queries from tax authorities, auditors and internal stakeholders.
- Work closely with accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger and local finance teams to resolve VAT-related issues.
- Support month-end and year-end indirect tax reporting activities.
- Follow the Shared Service Centre’s controls, policies and standard operating procedures.
- Contribute to process improvements, automation initiatives and the standardisation of VAT compliance activities.
- Keep up to date with relevant VAT developments and escalate potential risks or technical issues to the VAT Manager or Indirect Tax Manager.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Candidate Profile
Essential Experience
- Practical experience preparing VAT returns or supporting VAT compliance processes.
- Experience gained within a shared service centre, in-house finance team, accountancy practice or tax consultancy.
- Good understanding of core VAT principles and common VAT transactions.
- Experience working with financial data, reconciliations and general ledger accounts.
- Strong Microsoft Excel skills, including the ability to analyse and reconcile large data sets.
- High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Ability to manage recurring deadlines and prioritise multiple deliverables.
- Clear written and verbal communication skills.
- Collaborative approach and the confidence to work with colleagues across finance and the wider business.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Desirable Experience
- Experience preparing VAT returns for multiple legal entities or jurisdictions.
- Exposure to European VAT compliance requirements.
- Experience working within a multinational organisation.
- Familiarity with ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle or a similar finance platform.
- Experience using VAT compliance or tax technology software.
- Relevant accountancy or tax qualification, or progress towards one, such as ATT, CTA, ACA, ACCA or CIMA.
Personal Attributes
- Methodical, organised and comfortable working within structured processes.
- Curious and willing to investigate discrepancies rather than simply process data.
- Able to identify risks and escalate issues appropriately.
- Reliable and accountable, with a strong focus on meeting deadlines.
- Keen to develop a long-term career in VAT, indirect tax or finance.
- Comfortable operating in a changing, international and shared service environment.
What Success Looks Like
Within the first 12 months, the successful candidate will:
- Take ownership of VAT return preparation for an agreed portfolio of entities.
- Deliver accurate and timely VAT filings with clear supporting documentation.
- Build effective relationships with local finance teams and Shared Service Centre colleagues.
- Develop a sound understanding of the organisation’s key VAT processes and controls.
- Identify and contribute to improvements in the efficiency and quality of VAT compliance activities.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location