VAT Associate Director in Birmingham

About the role

You will work closely with the Real Estate VAT Director and Partner to supportclients on a wide range of Real Estate and construction matters. 

One day you could be advising an investor ona multi-million pound property acquisition and the next day you could be deliveringtraining to finance and commercial teams at a housebuilder client.

It is safeto say no two days are the same!

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a growing team at an excitingpart of the journey, working on a hybrid basis and reaping the rewards of workingboth at home and in the office.

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, giving you a realopportunity to influence the way in which the team develops.

Responsibilities:

• Manging client relationships and acting as the principal point of contact for clients in respect of VAT issues and queries.
• Delivering practical and commercial VAT advice to clients on land and property matters.
• Working alongside the wider Real Estate tax specialists to provide VAT input into tax structuring and Real Estate tax due diligence projects.
• Developing the more junior team, including delegation of appropriate work, on-the-job coaching and more formal feedback.
• Working alongside the Real Estate VAT Director andPartner to actively assist in business development including proposalpreparation for new work and building relationships with clients and targets. 

About the ideal candidate

Theideal candidate will have previous experience of working at Manager or Associate Director level within VAT, as well as previous experience of winning workand / or the ability to unlock fees from the existing client base.

You will be confidentin helping to develop junior members of staff and driving forward a good teamenvironment.

In particular you will demonstrate: 

• CTA qualified is preferred or equivalent
• Previous experience operating at Associate Director level (or equivalent) is necessary, or can demonstrate the skill set required to undertake the role.
• Good knowledge and understanding of the VAT issues for clients in the Real Estate and Construction sector, either in a specialist capacity or as a part of a broader role.
• Ability to work independently, as well as part of a national team.
• Proven experience in client handling and building good relationships.
• Embraces an inclusive approach to people development and supervision, demonstrating strong coaching abilities.
• Business development experience and/or interest in this aspect is advantageous but not essential.

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!

”