VAT Director

Reading, Oxfordshire
RSM
As one of the worlds largest networks of audit, tax and consulting firms, RSM delivers big ideas and premium service to help middle-market businesses thrive. We are a fast-growing firm with big ambitions we have a clear goal to become the premium adviser to the middle market, globally. This vision touches everything we do, motivating and inspiring us to become better every day. If you are looking for a firm where you can build a future and make an impact, then RSM is the place for you.

About the firm
RSMis a leading provider of audit, tax and consulting services to middle marketleaders globally, and we are one of the top 10 accountancy firms in the UK andUS in respect to size. With around 3,650partners and staff in the UK and access to 51,000 people in over 120 countriesacross the RSM network, we can meet our clients needs wherever in the worldthey operate and offer our staff brilliant and fulfilling careers. Indeed, wewere recently “2 star” accredited by Best Companies, achieving therating of “outstanding organisation to work for”. We also placedsecond in the “Best Accountancy Firms” and have been named the UK’s 6th “Best Big Company”.
Whenyou become part of our team, youll discover a culture celebratingindividuality, fresh thinking, flexibility and collaboration, whilst not onlyembracing change but impacting it. Were simply not a one-size-fits-all firmand work hard to create an environment where our people can make a difference -to themselves, their career, their teams, and to the success of RSM and ourclients. As Ali Sapsford (our Head of Tax) states, personality and fun areas big a part of our culture as is our passion for delivering a premium serviceto our clients That sense of team is what attracts clients and staff alike toRSM, and its one of the things I love about RSM!

Aboutthe department
Our National VAT Service Line works closely with colleagues across thefirm to provide a joined-up service to a diverse range of clients across arange of sectors, from middle market businesses to large corporate and not-for-profitorganisations; combining expertise in accounting, audit and all relevant taxes. We provide the freedom to find the right balance between sectorspecialism and general advisory, as well as an opportunity to initiate anddevelop new areas of focus for the VAT team. As a fast-growing team, there aresignificant opportunities for client and personal development.
Withinthe Reading team, we work collaboratively with other tax service lines toprovide VAT advice to a range of large corporate and multinational clients.This includes assisting companies with European supply chain management,including post Brexit structuring to minimise overseas compliance obligations. We workclosely with our colleagues in Corporate Finance, and have recently advised anumber of clients on optimising VAT recovery on deal costs following anacquisition or disposal. Together with our Foreign Direct Investment team weadvise US and other overseas businesses on start up operations in the UK andEurope, with the aim of fostering a wide reaching and ongoing relationship withthose companies as the European business grows.
Ian Carpenter, Headof VAT: After 10 enjoyable years at HMRC I joined the profession and 12years ago I joined what is now RSM. Those 12 years (and counting) is thelongest time I have spent anywhere in my career. From the day I joined, RSM hasfelt different. It’s much easier to feel the difference than it is to describeit. It’s the willingness of the people across the firm to share and collaborateto get the best answer for our clients and our teams. Elsewhere I had feltthese values were spoken about but sometimes the actions hadn’t alwaysreflected the words. It is a true privilege to lead and help grow my serviceline and to nurture people who joined us at the start of their careers, helpingthem grow and find their own path both professionally and personally. Some ofmy best moments have been conversations with team members telling them theyhave been successful in achieving the next step in their career progressionjourney.
VAT Manager: Istarted at RSM in 2018 on the school leaver apprenticeship programme in VAT. Ihave had an unreal amount of support during my time which has enabled me topass my CTA exams and progress to manager. RSM is very flexible in allowingpeople to do pursue the career path that suits them, I started out in theReading office initially, and then was able to transfer to London to focus on amore national role within the team. I have had a great range of experience atRSM, working with all different types and sizes of clients, including theopportunity to go on multiple client secondments.

About the role
Working with the Southern and national VAT leadershipteams you will be taking a leading role in the strategic development of RSMsVAT offering in the Reading and Thames Valley market. You will haveresponsibility for managing a local team, growing RSMs presence in the localmarket, and ensuring that the delivery of client engagements meets our highstandards of quality and service, whilst ensuring that the firms targets andstrategic objectives are achieved.

• Taking an active lead in developing and contributing to the southern regions VAT strategic vision. Working closely with the National Head of VAT to support the delivery of VATs national strategy and RSMs wider Tax objectives.
• Owning and developing a portfolio of clients.
• Leading on targeted business development and marketing activities to build RSMs profile and attract new business in the local Southampton and surrounding market.
• Providing an excellent standard of VAT advisory services to a portfolio of clients and taking a lead on complex cases and supporting junior team members, where appropriate.
• Leading on client engagements and presentations, building and maintaining long-lasting stakeholder relationships with client contacts at all levels of seniority across engagements.
• Networking across RSMs service lines to proactively identify and support referred work.
• Providing mentoring, coaching, and line management support to further support and grow a high-performing VAT team.

About the ideal candidate
The ideal candidate will have previous experience ofworking at Associate Director or Director level within VAT, and have eithercurrent or prior advisory experience gained in a practice environment and withcorporate clients. You will have previous experience of winning work and abilityto unlock fees from an existing client base. In addition, the ideal candidatewill be confident in helping to develop junior members of staff within asupportive environment. In particular you must be able to demonstrate that youare;

• Commercially aware of market opportunities and are target driven.
• Strategically minded with the ability to plan and execute delivery requirements.
• An excellent communicator who can effectively influence, negotiate, and share information with stakeholders at all levels.
• Passionate about people and can build, develop and grow a high-performing team.

FlexibleWorking
At RSMwe work hard to create an environment where our people can make a difference -to themselves, their career, their teams, and to the success of our firm andclients. We support all our people to work flexibly, to manage their family andother responsibilities alongside their work commitments; we believe this is keyto achieving an inspiring and fulfilling working environment.
Diversityand Inclusion at RSM
At RSM,inclusion and diversity are central to our values. We have an authentic focuson intentional inclusion, enabling our people to feel they can bring theirwhole self to work and ensuring everyone feels supported, respected andconfident to make a valuable contribution.
To findout more, please visit our Diversity and Inclusion page on our Careers Website.

Diversity and Inclusion at RSM
At RSM, we want to create a strong sense of belonging so that people of all identities, backgrounds, and cultures feel they can bring their true self to work. Our clients come from all walks of life. We aim to achieve that same diversity of background, experience and perspective in our own teams, so that we can genuinely understand our clients needs. Diverse teams bring a broader range of ideas and insights to work. Thats why were working together to ensure our firms principles and processes support a firm culture that embraces difference and strengthens inclusion.
At RSM we work hard to create an environment where our people can make a difference – to themselves, their career, their teams, and to the success of our firm and clients. We support all our people to work flexibly, to manage their family and other responsibilities alongside their work commitments; we believe this is key to achieving an inspiring and fulfilling working environment.