UK VAT - Manager

UK VAT – Manager

Belfast

About the Role

Grant Thornton is part of a fast-growing and rapidly evolving international platform, bringing together specialist teams across the UK, Ireland, the US and an expanding global network of member firms. This creates opportunities for our people to work on complex, cross-border assignments, collaborate with leading specialists across the network and build expertise across the full spectrum of UK and international tax services. From Belfast, our team supports a diverse client base that includes owner-managed businesses, large corporates and multinational groups, giving our people exposure to some of the most interesting and complex tax challenges in the market while benefiting from the scale, resources and opportunities of a growing international platform. The Grant Thornton Advisors (NI) Tax Team is a team of over 100 specialists with deep industry, sector and technical knowledge.

We are looking to hire a Manager to join our growing Indirect Tax team, with a particular focus on UK VAT. Based primarily in Belfast this is an excellent opportunity to work on a broad range of UK VAT advisory and compliance engagements for a diverse client portfolio.

The successful candidate will manage complex UK VAT advisory projects, HMRC compliance and VAT due diligence assignments, while supporting Directors and Partners in delivering exceptional client service. This role is ideal for a technically strong VAT professional who enjoys solving complex client issues, building trusted relationships and mentoring junior team members.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of UK VAT advisory, compliance and due diligence engagements, delivering practical, commercial solutions to clients across a range of sectors.
• Advise clients on complex UK VAT matters, including cross-border transactions, supply chains, place of supply, land and property, partial exemption and sector-specific VAT issues.
• Lead HMRC compliance activities, including VAT returns, Making Tax Digital (MTD) requirements and correspondence relating to enquiries, rulings and assessments.
• Build strong client relationships, support business development initiatives, and work closely with Directors and Partners to deliver high-quality advisory services.
• Coach, mentor and review the work of junior team members, contributing to the continued growth and success of the Belfast Indirect Tax team.

Skills & Experience

• CTA, ATT, ACA, ACCA or equivalent qualified, with 5–8 years' UK VAT experience gained in practice or a combination of practice and industry.
• Strong technical expertise in UK VAT, with significant experience delivering advisory projects alongside HMRC compliance and VAT due diligence assignments.
• Proven ability to manage client relationships, communicate complex technical matters clearly, and deliver commercially focused solutions.
• Experience leading multiple engagements, managing competing priorities, and mentoring junior team members within a professional services environment.
• A proactive, collaborative and commercially minded approach, with strong communication skills and the right to work in the UK or Ireland.

Location

The preferred location for this role is Belfast, although we are also open to candidates based elsewhere in the UK who are looking to relocate to Northern Ireland, or exceptional candidates who wish to be based in Dublin.

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