The Position
The Indirect Tax Manager is a new role with the opportunity to grow and develop as the business grows internationally. Initially it is a part time role (nature to be discussed with candidates based on 22-30 hours as appropriate) but with the potential for growth in scope and hours if this suits the business and the candidate. Its creation is partly in response to a major increase in the global footprint of RES in 2023-24. The role reports to the International Tax Director who reports to the CFO; as such, the Indirect Tax Manager is a strategic role contributing to the tax risk strategy across the global group.
The successful candidate will be experienced in UK indirect taxes (ideally including CIS) including international impacts (reverse charge, duties, import VAT etc) and will have a thirst to learn about indirect tax compliance and risks in our overseas operations and to coordinate many stakeholders. Excellent communication and organisation skills are important to this role. The successful candidate may be required to assist with tax projects unrelated (or only partially related) to indirect taxes thereby widening their knowledge and experiences while with RES (eg assessment of compliance with the Corporate Criminal Offense). The Indirect Tax Manager is a management position and will not be responsible for regular completion of indirect tax returns but instead for matters including:
1. Assessment and control of indirect tax risk in the UK and globally including CIS/RCT and similar taxes;
2. Oversight and review of the end-to-end process, data flow and documentation from source documents through to indirect tax returns for both core business and project investors that we support (eg individual companies to which RES provides compliance services);
3. Input into the indirect tax impacts of acquisitions, business changes and integration of new business lines as the group constantly changes and evolves; and
Further details are below.
Organisational Context
The Group Tax function operates within Group Finance and reports directly to the Group CFO. Its remit is to oversee group-wide consistency and compliance with its tax affairs and to maintain the Group’s overall tax strategy while meeting the needs of the business, including growth.
Key Accountabilities
4. Managing processes of indirect tax compliance across the business and ensuring consistency and compliance with careful management of advisors and budget;
5. Creating and maintaining process documentation appropriate for SAO compliance and good business continuity practices both in the UK and the global business, including internal review of compliance with these processes and tracking of new company set up, registration and completion of compliance requirements;
6. Regular review of indirect tax returns, invoicing/expense processes, contracts and similar documentation;
7. Creation and maintenance of an indirect tax risk register initially in the UK but to eventually encompass all territories and the reduction of identified risks on the register;
8. Input into acquisitions and other major transactions including understanding/ reporting risks, assessing due diligence reports, assessing recoverability of management fees and similar;
9. Providing advice and guidance on matters of indirect tax in response to business needs and ensuring the relevant teams are appropriately trained and informed to perform their duties in respect of indirect tax;
10. Assessing compliance with CIS and RCT and redesigning and documenting processes as required;
11. Regular communication with international teams to integrate into the RES tax risk profile and the assessment and review of their compliance; risk managementof indirect tax across the international teams and assistance with communications/inspectionswith tax authorities;
12. Oversight of external advisors where relevant across the group including assessment of their accountability, performance and costs;
13. Identification and review of opportunities to improve input VAT recovery or to reduce indirect tax risks such as regarding the expense processes;
14. Monitor changes in indirect tax laws and regulations and implement necessary updates to ensure compliance across the group obtaining advice where required;
15. Establish relationships across the UK and worldwide finance teams and be available for queries and to provide assistance as the “go to” person for indirect taxes and cross border transactions.
Knowledge
16. Intimate knowledge of UK VAT including cross border transactions and business restructuring
17. Working understanding of indirect tax regimes in other territories, other indirect taxes and/or CIS/RCT is helpful but not essential
18. Tax qualification either by itself or as part of an accountancy qualification
Skills
19. Highly organised, analytical and detail-focused
20. Methodical, logical and process-driven
21. Ability to self-motivate, take responsibility and drive change
22. Great Problem Solver and ability to fix issues quickly through a can-do attitude
23. Ability to multitask, work to deadlines and prioritise
24. Command of Microsoft Office applications, especially Excel
25. Must pride themselves on high standards
Experience
26. Detailed knowledge of UK and cross border VAT
27. Ideally trained in a professional firm
Qualifications
28. Qualified accountant (ACA/CIMA/ACCA) or similar accounting or tax qualification