Senior VAT Manager, London

WPP is the creative transformation company. We use the power of creativity to build better futures for our people, planet, clients, and communities.

Working at WPP means being part of a global network of more than 115,000 accomplished people in 110 countries. WPP has headquarters in New York, London and Singapore and a corporate presence in major markets worldwide.

We create transformative ideas and outcomes for our clients through an integrated offer of communications, experience, commerce, and technology.

WPP and our award-winning agencies work with most of the world's biggest companies and organisations - from Ford, Unilever and P&G to Google, HSBC, and the UN. Our clients include 61 of the FTSE 100, 307 of the Fortune Global 500, all 30 of the Dow Jones 30 and 62 of the NASDAQ 100. WPP are the leader in the Bloomberg Gender Equality Index and 20th in the FTSE 100 rankings for Women on Boards.

Why we're hiring:

WPP is recruiting a Senior VAT Manager to head up our UK Indirect Tax compliance function as we build Indirect Tax expertise in our Global Business Services organisation. This is a fantastic opportunity for a dynamic and motivated person to become a highly valued member of the team with exposure across the whole business.

This a role will be focused on driving transformation in WPP by enhancing VAT processes to increase controls and automation, embedding best practice to manage VAT risk and minimise errors, and advising on the VAT treatment of business transactions. The successful candidate will lead the UK VAT compliance team and will work closely with the UK finance teams across our different agency groups with support and guidance from the Global Indirect Tax Director. This position is extremely varied and the successful candidate will have the opportunity to help lead a significant transformation programme.

The UK Senior VAT Manager will work closely with the WPP Global Tax Team to maintain and enhance WPP's SAO-compliant UK VAT framework, adhering to Group Tax policies as well as ensuring compliance with business processes and standards.

What you'll be doing:

VAT Transformation, Compliance & Governance

• Lead the transformation project of moving the preparation of VAT returns from an on-shore to an off-shore team
• Lead, motivate and develop a to be formed VAT compliance team.
• Responsible for all VAT filings to UK authorities for UK agencies, including ensuring that VAT returns are appropriately reviewed and investigating any discrepancies to identify the root cause, propose a resolution and escalate as appropriate.
• Develop best practice to improve controls and procedures around the management of VAT compliance to reduce risk and errors.
• Responsible for ensuring SAO processes are adhered to for VAT, proactively identifying areas for improvement and embedding change.
• Support the WPP Global Indirect Tax Team with the preparation of information for VAT audits or HMRC questions (including information required as part of WPP Business Risk Review).

VAT Advisory & Training

• Provide ad hoc VAT advice to central finance, client finance teams, accounts payable and shared service centre colleagues on day-to-day business transactions.
• Advise (with WPP Global Indirect Tax team oversight) on specific projects or new initiatives - for example, the application of zero rating for Charitable clients, VAT treatment of prepayments, accruals, free supplies, international transactions.
• Raise awareness of indirect tax across the businesses through ad hoc training.
• Provide updates and recommendations to the businesses on new legislation relevant to the management of VAT.
• Act as the "go-to" person for VAT queries and work closely with WPP Global Indirect Tax team where required.

Experience and Qualifications:

• Previous relevant VAT experience of large and complex organisations, preferably with some in-house experience with VAT accounting and compliance responsibilities.
• Experience of working with off-shore VAT compliance teams. Experience in managing an off-shore VAT compliance team is desirable but not required.
• Experience with Making Tax Digital requirements and VAT Compliance software .
• Have in-depth VAT technical knowledge with experience advising on UK and international business transactions - experience within the media, advertising and communications sector is desirable but not required.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to identify and implement improvements to processes and controls
• CTA or equivalent qualification

What you'll need:

• Driven, energetic with the ability to multi-task and prioritise effectively to meet deadlines.
• Strong team player with excellent verbal and written communication skills, and great attention to detail.
• An excellent communicator, with a high degree of emotional intelligence and resilience.
• A robust, resilient individual who embraces challenges and change.
• Strong persuasive and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to deliver outcomes, not just a process driver.
• Ego's to be left at the door. WPP is not hierarchical and operates a one team culture

Who you are:

You're open : We are inclusive and collaborative; we encourage the free exchange of ideas; we respect and celebrate diverse views. We are accepting: of new ideas, new partnerships, new ways of working.

You're optimistic : We believe in the power of creativity, technology and talent to create brighter futures or our people, our clients and our communities. We approach all that we do with conviction: to try the new and to seek the unexpected.

You're extraordinary: we are stronger together: through collaboration we achieve the amazing. We are creative leaders and pioneers of our industry; we provide extraordinary every day.

What we'll give you:

Passionate, inspired people - We promote a culture of people that do extraordinary work.

Scale and opportunity - We offer the opportunity to create, influence and complete projects at a scale that is unparalleled in the industry.

Challenging and stimulating work - Unique work and the opportunity to join a group of creative problem solvers. Are you up for the challenge?

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