Interim Tax Accountant

Licensed sponsor Tan Office Contract Posted 3 days ago

The role

The Tax Accountant is responsible for leading the delivery of the firm's tax compliance, reporting, governance and advisory activities across its UK and international operations. The role acts as a key technical specialist within the Finance Directorate, ensuring that tax obligations are met accurately and on time, tax risks are appropriately managed, and the firm responds effectively to legislative and regulatory change.

Working closely with Finance leadership, HR, Payroll, Legal, operational teams, external advisers the role provides practical and commercially focused advice across partnership tax, corporate tax, VAT, employment taxes and international tax matters. It also supports the consistent application of the firm's Tax Strategy, Tax Governance Framework and related policies.

The team

Our Finance team is dedicated to delivering an efficient, accurate and professional service to both internal and external stakeholders. We support the firm's financial operations through the timely processing of transactions, strong financial controls and a commitment to continuous improvement. Working collaboratively across the business, we play a key role in ensuring compliance, operational excellence and exceptional service delivery.

Main Responsibilities

Tax governance, compliance and legislative change

Lead the firm's tax compliance, governance and risk management framework across all relevant jurisdictions.
Oversee tax reporting obligations, legislative change and regulatory compliance.
Coordinate compliance activity across internal stakeholders and external advisers, escalating risks or delays promptly.
Manage tax authority relationships, audits and enquiries.
Maintain tax policies, controls and governance reporting.
Drive tax awareness and a strong compliance culture across the business

Corporate and partnership tax

Support the preparation and review of corporation tax computations, returns, supporting schedules and tax payments for UK entities.
Compile and oversee tax provisions, forecasts and year-end tax accounting disclosures.
Support the preparation and review of the annual LLP tax computation and the allocation of taxable profits to partners.
Coordinate partner tax reporting requirements, including liaison with external advisers and support for tax reserves, payments and communications.
Provide technical input into restructurings, transactions and business initiatives, identifying relevant risks, reliefs and opportunities.

VAT and indirect taxes

Lead end-to-end VAT compliance for the firm’s LLP and corporate entities, including the preparation, review, validation and timely submission of UK and international VAT returns in accordance with relevant jurisdictional requirements.
Provide clear, practical VAT advice to stakeholders at all levels, translating complex technical matters into accessible and commercially relevant guidance.
Act as the primary point of contact for VAT matters with HMRC, overseas tax authorities and external advisers.
Oversee domestic and international VAT registrations, filings and related indirect tax obligations.
Develop and maintain VAT guidance, processes, controls and compliance documentation in accordance with applicable legislative and regulatory requirements.
Deliver targeted training to promote consistent application across Finance and wider business teams.

International tax

Coordinate and manage international tax compliance across the firm's overseas operations, including transfer pricing, overseas filings, intercompany arrangements, permanent establishment and tax residency matters
Apply double taxation treaties and withholding tax rules, managing treaty relief claims, foreign tax credits, reporting obligations and supporting documentation.
Coordinate overseas filings and local compliance activity with external advisers, challenging scope, quality and cost where appropriate.
Monitor international tax developments and communicate their practical implications to relevant stakeholders.

Employment taxes

Support compliance with PAYE, National Insurance, benefits and expenses reporting requirements.
Advise on the tax implications of remuneration arrangements, international assignments and employee mobility.
Work with HR and Payroll to strengthen employment tax processes, controls and compliance.

Advisory and business partnering

Provide proactive, practical tax advice to Finance and wider business stakeholders.
Support strategic projects, restructurings, acquisitions, international expansion and other business change initiatives.
Review contracts and commercial arrangements from a tax perspective, clearly communicating risks and recommended actions.
Translate complex tax matters into concise, practical advice for non-tax specialists and senior decision-makers.
Identify and deliver improvements to tax processes, systems, controls and management information.

Skills & Qualifications

CTA qualified, or ACA/ACCA qualified with significant relevant tax experience.
Equivalent professional experience may be considered where the candidate can demonstrate the required technical breadth and senior-level capability.

The firm

Shoosmiths is the law firm clients choose for excellent service, incisive thinking and above all for our ability to focus on what matters. From offices across the UK and Brussels, we support some of the world’s most exciting and ambitious businesses; amazing clients making an impact. We empower our people to be their authentic selves and deliver together in supportive teams committed to excellence and innovation. The first top 50 law firm to achieve ‘Platinum Standard’ Investors in People, our values and culture are not just words on our website but are the heartbeat of the firm.

We have an outstanding benefits package to complement our competitive remuneration system. In addition to the competitive salaries, great working environment and high-quality work, we believe that all staff should be rewarded for their commitment to the continued success of the firm through a comprehensive and flexible range of benefits.

To discover more about our benefits, please visit: Benefits Package

Shoosmiths is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. Disability Confident is a government scheme designed to encourage employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term conditions. The Disability Confident scheme replaced the Two Ticks Positive about Disabled People scheme. We had been accredited as a two tick employer for many years - Disability Confident broadens and develops that original commitment, and demonstrates we have adopted a proactive approach to employing disabled people and developing their abilities.

As part of our accreditation, we commit to interviewing any applicants with a disability who meet the essential criteria for each vacancy. In some circumstances we may only be able to interview those that best meet the essential criteria due to the volume of applications received.

Further information on the Disability Confident scheme is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/disability-confident-campaign

We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible to and usable by everyone. If you have a disability or long-term condition and would like to receive information in a different way, or need us to make any adjustments, changes or do anything differently during the recruitment process, please get in touch with the Talent Acquisition team on Experienced.Hire@shoosmiths.com. We can consider your needs and requirements, and how we can assist you to apply for our roles. For example we can provide a copy of our application via email so that you can complete it using your own accessibility software.

Background Checks

Due to the nature of the work undertaken, confirmation of employment will be subject to a variety of checks which will be carried out once an offer of employment is accepted. These checks will include employment references covering the last 5 years, proof of ID, proof of address covering the last 5 years. Personal vetting credit search (which will only highlight Insolvency or County Court Judgements - Should any adverse data show on the Personal Vetting search them any offer of employment may be withdrawn). Terrorism check (against data supplied by the Bank of England) and a basic DBS check previously known as a Criminal Records check.

Equal opportunities

Our approach to our people is underpinned by our approach to diversity, inclusion and well-being. Our ambition is to build a diverse and ambitious workforce that reflects all backgrounds and talents, and a workplace that is supportive and inclusive, recognises and nurtures talent, and has a strong sense of community between colleagues.

This means that everyone who either applies to or works for the firm is treated equally, whatever their gender, age, ethnic origin, nationality, marital status, disability, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.