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PKF Littlejohn – Director VAT Specialist or Experienced Senior Manager (VAT)
Overview of FKM Littlejohn
PKF Littlejohn is one of the leading challenger firms in the UK, with offices in London, Leeds, and Manchester. We are an active member of PKF Global, an international network of legally independent accounting firms offering an on-the-ground presence in 150 countries and access to more than 20,000 people across 440 offices globally.
We provide a full range of audit, accounting, tax and advisory services, specialising in simplifying complexity for clients. Our expertise lies in supporting complex clients across:
- Insurance industry
- Global capital markets
- Not-for-profit sector
Our philosophy? Understand people, their organisations, and their ambitions to simplify challenges and drive success.
Tax Division Overview
Our Tax division delivers VAT, Corporate Tax, Transfer Pricing, Personal Tax, Global Mobility, and Employment Tax services. We prioritise:
- Exceptional client service
- Professionalism and personal attention
We handle transactional advisory work across diverse sectors, addressing issues affecting both businesses and individuals, such as:
- Demergers
- Restructuring
- Acquisitions
- Disposals
Opportunity Description
An exciting vacancy exists for a determined, talented VAT Director—or an ambitious Senior Manager seeking career advancement—to join our rapidly expanding Indirect Tax team, led by the Head of VAT.
After a pivotal year reshaping our client portfolio and team structure, now is the perfect time to become a foundational member of this dynamic, fast-growing team. Together, we’ll drive the division’s future growth.
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Responsibilities
Client Responsibilities
Core duties include representing clients’ VAT interests:
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Collaborate with HMRC to ensure compliance, on-time obligations, and avoid unintended costs (actual, cash-flow, penalties).
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Identify and explain VAT treatment for client transactions during discussions (in person or calls).
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Deliver clear, field-researched, and commercially practical written guidance to clients.
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Resolve differences by negotiating with:
- HMRC
- Client suppliers/customers
- Specialist VAT barristers for legal opinions
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Obtain formal written HMRC responses, engage in Alternative Dispute Resolution.
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Profitably manage a large client portfolio, overseeing manager/assistant manager execution.
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Leverage client insights and team experience to drive new engagements and projects.
Work Assignments
Support includes:
- Editorial contributions to tender proposals
- Participation in VAT marketing initiatives
- Transaction Services due diligence
- "VAT input" in external audits and insolvency/restructuring work
- Training (staff and clients on VAT matters)
- Investigating and resolving VAT queries
- Preparing VAT registration applications and returns
People Management
PKF fosters individual growth through:
- Internal/external training and professional updates covering technical and non-technical skills.
- Leading line management, including:
- Coaching direct reports
- Conducting appraisals
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Career progression: Merit-based. The growing VAT team offers plentiful opportunities.
Person Overview
Essential Skills & Experience
- Proven expertise in VAT advisory/compliance (e.g., practice experience).
- Authoritative grasp of VAT principles and ability to clarify complex issues for non-specialists.
- Technical depth across a broad spectrum of client challenges.
- Potential (useful) specialism(s), e.g.: insurance sector.
Commercial/Competence Requirements
- Ability to profitably manage large client portfolios.
- Turn client queries into new, high-value projects.
- Restore VAT exposure for existing or dormant contacts.
Attributes
Candidates should embody:
- Helping mentality: eager to resolve colleague and business challenges.
- Resilient problem-solving: nimble, detail-oriented, and analytical.
- Empathetic & reflective—attentive to opposing perspectives before reaching conclusions.
- Distilled communication: swiftly distilling key insights from written/verbal discussions.
- Physically organised, responsive, and solution-focused.
- Collaborative, concise spoken/written style.
- Growth mindset: committed to expanding own expertise and supporting others.
- Positive attitude, composed under pressure.
Ideal Qualifications
Not essential but beneficial:
- ACA/CA/CTA or aforementioned equivalent accreditation.
- Formal education in:
- Law, Finance, Accounting, Economics, or Business Studies.
- IRAS-suitable disciplines, e.g., Philosophy, History, Classics, International Studies.
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