VAT Associate Director in Birmingham

About the role

Togetherwith Partners and Directors, you'll manage the interface between a group ofclients and the firm to ensure that the agreed expectations of the clients interms of service, quality, and cost are met.

Thisis a fantastic opportunity to join a growing team at an exciting part of thejourney, working on a hybrid basis and reaping the rewards of being at home andin the office on a weekly basis.

The variety of projects will challenge youevery day, helping you expand your capabilities and grow professionally.

You’llhave plenty of opportunity to broaden your horizons and discover a culture thatnurtures individuality and celebrates fresh thinking!

Responsibilities:

• Identifying and advising on VAT planning opportunities, and undertaking specialist technical assignments as required.
• Responding to clients’ correspondence as a matter of priority, and to keep the client and partner fully informed of the current status of the VAT work.
• Acting as the principal point of contact to clients on VAT queries and to maintain excellent client service at all times.
• Undertaking work delegated by the Partner or Director.
• Ensuring appropriate liaison takes place with other departments.
• Closely monitoring work in progress reports, to ensure the profitable recover-ability of work done and to bill clients on a timely basis.
• Developing an advanced level of technical knowledge through appropriate reading and courses, and an awareness of the firm's services, brochures and publications.
• Identifying, meeting and converting prospective clients as well as assisting other departments in the research and preparation of formal proposals for new work.
• Taking an active involvement in prospective client seminars, effectively following up with contacts made.
• Assisting in review and quality control procedures and the administration of the department where required.
• Attending staff meetings and training as required.
• Maintaining an awareness and observation of Health and Safety issues within the firm, and report any concerns to the Health and Safety Representative.
• Carrying out any other duties as are within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job, the title of the role and its grading, as requested by the line manager or Head of Department.

About the ideal candidate

The ideal candidate will have previous experience of workingat Manager or Associate Director level within VAT, as well as previousexperience of winning work and / or the ability to unlock fees from theexisting client base.

You will be confident in helping to develop juniormembers of staff and driving forward a good team environment.

In particular youwill demonstrate:

• Ability to build and develop a team of VAT practitioners.
• Strong commerciality with the ability to implement and meet targets.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with demonstrated experience of client management.

Note: This job description reflects the present requirements of the role.

As duties and responsibilities change, the job description will be reviewed and will be subject to amendment in consultation with the individual.

About the Service Line Head

Ian Carpenter, VAT Partner:  “What is VAT? 

I didn't know it at the time but my life intax started when I passed the civil service entrance exam.

I merrily thought Iwould have a choice of the Foreign Office, the MOD or the Home Office only to betold I was joining HMRC and my options were VAT or Excise neither of which Ihad heard of at the time.

I chose VAT but I to this day I can't really say why. 

From that uncertainstart came a love of this tax; the balance between inputs and outputs, how itdirectly relates to business transactions and its myriad of case law.

I found that I lovedtalking to the tax people that shared my passion and the business leaders thatdidn't but needed someone to help them understand the impact on theircommercial transactions. 

After 10 enjoyableyears at HMRC I joined the profession and 12 years ago I joined what is nowRSM.

Those 12 years (and counting) is the longest time I have spent anywhere inmy career.

From the day I joined, RSM has felt different.

It's much easier tofeel the difference than it is to describe it.

It's the willingness of thepeople across the firm to share and collaborate to get the best answer for ourclients and our teams.

Elsewhere I had felt these values were spoken about butsometimes the actions hadn't always reflected the words. 

It is a true privilegeto lead and help grow my service line and to nurture people who joined us atthe start of their careers, helping them grow and find their own path bothprofessionally and personally.

Some of my best moments have been conversationswith team members telling them they have been successful in achieving the nextstep in their career progression journey. 

I also have a passion(but limited aptitude) for technology.

In the next few years, theadministration of tax and our tax business will change significantly due to theincreased use of technology and automation by us, our clients and by taxauthorities around the world.

This creates exciting opportunities to alleviatemundane tasks from our people and the ability to create new offerings andinsights for our clients.

I love working with our brilliant people (who haveboth the passion and aptitude for technology) to make this the reality. 

The answer to what isVAT therefore is a gateway to a rewarding career!

”

#LI-DM1