VAT Director

Southampton, Hampshire
RSM
As one of the world’s 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
RSM is a leading provider of audit, tax and consulting services to middle market leaders globally, and we are one of the top 10 accountancy firms in the UK and US in respect to ; With around 3,650 partners and staff in the UK and access to 51,000 people in over 120 countries across the RSM network, we can meet our clients’ needs wherever in the world they operate and offer our staff brilliant and fulfilling careers. Indeed, we were recently “2 star” accredited by Best Companies, achieving the rating of “outstanding organisation to work for”. We also placed second in the “Best Accountancy Firms” and have been named the UK’s 6th “Best Big Company”.
When you become part of our team, you’ll discover a culture celebrating individuality, fresh thinking, flexibility and collaboration, whilst not only embracing change but impacting it. We’re simply not a one-size-fits-all firm and 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 our clients. As Ali Sapsford (our Head of Tax) states, “personality and fun are as big a part of our culture as is our passion for delivering a premium service to our clients That sense of team is what attracts clients and staff alike to RSM, and it’s one of the things I love about RSM!”
About the department
Our National VAT Service Line works closely with colleagues across the firm to provide a joined-up service to a diverse range of clients across a range of sectors, from middle market businesses to large corporate and not-for-profit organisations; combining expertise in accounting, audit and all relevant taxes. We provide the freedom to find the right balance between sector specialism and general advisory, as well as an opportunity to initiate and develop new areas of focus for the VAT team. As a fast-growing team, there are significant opportunities for client and personal development.
The Southampton office is one of the largest in the RSM UK business benefiting from clients across a variety of sectors and ranging from FTSE 100 listed companies to fast-growing owner managed businesses and private equity-backed organisations. Working with a large, multi-disciplinary tax department along with a significant audit and corporate finance team we have the opportunity to deal with the leading organisations in the Solent and south region.
Ian Carpenter, Head of VAT: “After 10 enjoyable years at HMRC I joined the profession and 12 years ago I joined what is now RSM. Those 12 years (and counting) is the longest time I have spent anywhere in my career. From the day I joined, RSM has felt different. It’s much easier to feel the difference than it is to describe it. It’s the willingness of the people across the firm to share and collaborate to get the best answer for our clients and our teams. Elsewhere I had felt these values were spoken about but sometimes the actions hadn’t always reflected the words. It is a true privilege to lead and help grow my service line and to nurture people who joined us at the start of their careers, helping them grow and find their own path both professionally and personally. Some of my best moments have been conversations with team members telling them they have been successful in achieving the next step in their career progression ;
VAT Manager: “I started at RSM in 2018 on the school leaver apprenticeship programme in VAT. I have had an unreal amount of support during my time which has enabled me to pass my CTA exams and progress to manager. RSM is very flexible in allowing people to do pursue the career path that suits them, I started out in the Reading office initially, and then was able to transfer to London to focus on a more national role within the team. I have had a great range of experience at RSM, working with all different types and sizes of clients, including the opportunity to go on multiple client ;
About the role
Working with the Southern and national VAT leadership teams you will be taking a leading role in the strategic development of RSM’s VAT offering in the Southampton and Solent markets. You will have responsibility for managing a local team, growing RSM’s presence in the local market, and ensuring that the delivery of client engagements meets our high standards of quality and service, whilst ensuring that the firm’s targets and strategic objectives are achieved.

• Taking an active lead in developing and contributing to the southern region’s VAT strategic vision. Working closely with the National Head of VAT to support the delivery of VAT’s national strategy and RSM’s wider Tax objectives.
• Owning and developing a portfolio of clients.
• Leading on targeted business development and marketing activities to build RSM’s 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 RSM’s 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 of working at Associate Director or Director level within VAT, and have either current or prior advisory experience gained in a practice environment and with corporate clients. You will have previous experience of winning work and ability to unlock fees from an existing client base. In addition, the ideal candidate will be confident in helping to develop junior members of staff within a supportive environment. In particular you must be able to demonstrate that you are;

• 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.

Flexible Working
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.
Diversity and Inclusion at RSM
At RSM, inclusion and diversity are central to our values. We have an authentic focus on intentional inclusion, enabling our people to feel they can bring their whole self to work and ensuring everyone feels supported, respected and confident to make a valuable contribution.
To find out 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 t