VAT Consultant

Location: Bromsgrove / Redditch
Rate: £500 per day
Directorate: Finance
Reporting to: Financial Services Manager
Contract: Interim

About the Role

Bromsgrove District Council and Redditch Borough Council are seeking an experienced VAT Consultant to provide specialist VAT advice and support across the local authority.

The successful candidate will ensure the councils remain compliant with HMRC requirements, maximise legitimate VAT recovery and provide expert advice on the VAT implications of financial activities, projects, contracts, property transactions and funding arrangements.

This is a specialist role suited to an experienced VAT professional with strong knowledge of VAT within local government or the wider public sector.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide specialist VAT advice to departments across the councils, including on capital projects, contracts, property transactions and grant funding.
• Prepare and review accurate VAT returns, ensuring HMRC deadlines and requirements are met.
• Undertake and manage partial exemption calculations, ensuring input VAT is correctly apportioned between taxable, exempt and non-business activities.
• Identify opportunities to maximise VAT recovery and achieve savings and efficiencies.
• Interpret changes to VAT legislation and HMRC guidance and assess their impact on council activities.
• Advise on the VAT treatment of business and non-business activities, including consideration of Section 33 of the VAT Act 1994.
• Liaise with HMRC and external VAT advisors on complex queries, audits, inspections and disputes.
• Support internal and external audits by providing accurate documentation, evidence and explanations.
• Advise on VAT risks relating to land and property transactions, grants, shared services and other council activities.
• Maintain and update VAT policies, procedures and internal controls.
• Provide VAT training, guidance and updates to finance and non-finance colleagues.
• Contribute VAT expertise to financial planning, budgeting and project appraisals.
• Maintain robust records and documentation to support VAT claims and demonstrate compliance with HMRC requirements.

About You

The ideal candidate will have:

• Significant experience working in a VAT advisory or specialist VAT role.
• Strong knowledge of VAT legislation and its application within local authorities/public sector organisations.
• Proven experience preparing and reviewing VAT returns and partial exemption calculations.
• Experience advising on VAT recovery and compliance.
• Knowledge of HMRC requirements and the ability to deal confidently with HMRC queries and audits.
• Understanding of local authority accounting frameworks and financial systems.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with excellent attention to detail.
• The ability to explain complex VAT matters clearly to non-finance professionals.
• Strong Excel and financial reporting skills.
• The ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and provide practical, solution-focused advice.
• A professional and ethical approach with a commitment to maintaining accurate and compliant financial records.

Qualifications

A relevant professional qualification such as ACCA, CIPFA or ACA, or an equivalent specialist VAT/tax qualification, is essential.

Key Skills

VAT Advisory VAT Returns Partial Exemption VAT Recovery HMRC & VAT Compliance

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