In a nutshell
Are you a VAT expert looking for a new challenge? Do you thrive in a professional yet relaxed environment? If so, we have the perfect opportunity for you! As a VAT Manager, you'll manage a varied portfolio of clients, delivering high-quality VAT, indirect tax, and/or customs advice. You'll lead on complex assignments, support junior colleagues, and collaborate across departments to ensure exceptional service. With access to structured leadership development programmes and a supportive team culture, this is a fantastic opportunity to grow your technical and managerial skills in a forward-thinking firm that values inclusion, community, and sustainability.

Please note - we are not accepting CVs from recruitment agencies for this role.
What you'll be doing day to day

• Oversee a portfolio of complex clients, managing VAT, indirect tax, and/or customs compliance and advisory work
• Lead and coordinate complex assignments, drawing on input from specialist teams as needed
• Review team outputs, ensuring quality, accuracy, and proper documentation
• Respond to client queries on VAT and/or customs issues, resolving them or escalating to Directors/Partners
• Identify tax planning opportunities and present recommendations to senior leadership
• Ensure compliance with internal policies and risk management procedures
• Prepare budgets and fee proposals; monitor and manage fee recovery
• Act as a key liaison for clients and collaborate with colleagues across departments to deliver excellent service
• Support business development by identifying opportunities with new and existing clients
• Manage team resourcing, delegate work effectively, and ensure deadlines are met
• Provide coaching and feedback to junior team members, including regular 1:1s and performance reviews
• Promote ESG initiatives, including environmental awareness and community engagement
• Uphold values of fairness, transparency, and respect in all professional interactions

About you

• CTA and/or ACA/ACCA qualified (or qualified by experience); CTA study supports available
• Strong experience in public practice, with the ability to manage a VAT client portfolio
• Proven track record in handling complex VAT assignments
• Skilled in tax software and advanced use of Excel, Word, and Outlook
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong relationship-building abilities with clients and colleagues
• Strategic thinker with commercial awareness and sound judgement
• Proactive, self-motivated, and solutions focused
• Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and resources effectively

Why work at PKF Francis Clark
As the largest firm of independent chartered accountants and business advisers in South West England, PKF Francis Clark offers a wide range of opportunities to develop your career in the way that's right for you.

Established in 1919, we've grown to nearly 1,000 people across offices in Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth, Poole, Salisbury, Southampton, Taunton, Torquay and Truro. Our size means we can offer ambitious work with exciting clients and a friendly, supportive culture.

We want you to belong, be yourself and do your best work as part of a forward-thinking team, with a flexible approach to hybrid working and a strong focus on wellbeing, learning and development.

For the past four years, PKF Francis Clark has been certified as a Great Place to Work and ranked among the UK's Best Workplaces, rising to 6th out of 100 large organisations.

We're a top 10 Best Workplace for Women, as well as being ranked for Wellbeing, Development, and Consulting and Professional Services. These rankings are compiled by Great Place to Work, based on confidential, independent feedback from our people. In addition, we're one of The Sunday Times Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers.

Being a Certified B Corp means we're held to high standards for environmental and social performance. We're independently assessed to ensure we support our people, act responsibly and make long-term decisions that balance people and planet.

We're proudly independent, while collaborating internationally through the PKF Global family of firms. Together we're the 13th largest provider of accountancy services in the UK, with connections to like-minded advisers in 150 countries.
Your core benefits
Financial wellbeing

• Group personal pension to help you build your future savings through employer and employee contributions
• Group life assurance providing cover up to four times your basic annual salary
• Group income protection available after six months' service
• Health cash plan giving money back on everyday health costs, with free cover for up to four dependent children (up to age 24 in full-time education) and the option to add a partner or spouse

Mental wellbeing

• Counselling and emotional support for you and your immediate family
• Virtual GP and second opinion services for you and your immediate family
• Access to trained Mental Health First Aiders for confidential, peer to peer support

Physical wellbeing

• Cycle to work scheme, with the option to purchase a bike and accessories up to £4,000*
• Discounted membership at gyms, pools and studios across the UK
• Digital health and wellbeing tools available through the employee health cash plan
• Support for colleagues experiencing menopause, as part of our Menopause Workplace Pledge, including webinars and a dedicated Microsoft Teams channel for ongoing support

Additional benefits

• Family friendly benefits, including enhanced pay, family leave coaching sessions and a parent network
• The option to buy up to five extra days of holiday (pro rata for part-time colleagues) *
• One paid volunteering day each year to support local organisations
• Electric vehicle lease scheme (grade and pay criteria apply) *
• Gifts to mark key career and family milestones
• Expert led webinars on mental, physical and financial wellbeing
• Francis Clark Charitable Foundation, offering support for current and former employees experiencing financial hardship

* These benefits are provided via a salary exchange and are subject to employee's post exchange hourly rate remaining above the national minimum wage

Additional information

• Job title used internally may not align exactly with the title displayed in this advert