Associate Director - VAT

As the Associate Director - VAT at Evelyn Partners, your core responsibilities will revolve around client management, staff development, and practice enhancement. You'll be leading client relationships, engaging with them on significant commercial issues, and identifying avenues to grow their portfolios. Managing junior staff to foster their growth and ensuring that all compliance procedures adhere to institute and HMRC guidelines will also be key tasks in this role.

To qualify for the Associate Director - VAT position at Evelyn Partners, candidates typically need to be a qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CA) and/or a tax advisor (CTA) or have an international equivalent. Significant experience in corporate tax VAT within a professional services context is essential, along with demonstrated prowess in managing client relationships and leading teams.

Evelyn Partners offers a comprehensive benefits package for the Associate Director - VAT role. This includes a competitive salary, private medical insurance, life assurance, a robust pension contribution, and a hybrid working model based on the role’s requirements. Additional perks like a generous holiday package, a cycle-to-work scheme, and options for training further enhance the employment experience.

Critical skills for the Associate Director - VAT position at Evelyn Partners include a strong background in corporate tax VAT and the ability to manage complex client matters effectively. A proven track record in business development and the ability to cultivate significant client relationships are essential. Furthermore, having experience dealing with senior stakeholders will greatly benefit candidates in this role.

Evelyn Partners is committed to the professional growth of its employees, including those in the Associate Director - VAT role. They provide fully funded training opportunities towards professional qualifications, alongside access to mentorship and one-on-one guidance to ensure that team members develop their skills and thrive within the organization.

When addressing your experience with VAT compliance and advisory services during your interview, highlight specific projects you've worked on, emphasizing your role in managing compliance and any strategic advisories you provided to clients. Discuss measurable outcomes you achieved, which can illustrate your capability and success in handling complex tasks.

To effectively answer this, describe your methods for building rapport with clients, such as regular communication and understanding their unique needs. Mention examples where your proactive approach in managing these relationships led to trust and additional business opportunities, showcasing your skills as a trusted adviser.

Share specific strategies you've used to drive business growth, such as networking within industry associations, leveraging referrals, and creating marketing initiatives. Provide examples of how these strategies yielded positive results, underscoring your ability to gather and expand client portfolios.

In answering this, highlight the importance of personalized training and feedback. Discuss any coaching methods you have used in the past for junior team members, including examples where your mentorship has led to clear professional development and improved team performance.

Reflect on specific challenges you've encountered, such as tight deadlines or evolving regulations. For each challenge, explain how you navigated the situation by employing your technical knowledge and problem-solving skills, showing your capacity to handle pressure and maintain compliance.

In your response, outline your process for staying updated on HMRC guidelines and your attention to detail in ensuring compliance. Discuss methods like conducting regular training for your team and implementing checklists to ensure all compliance aspects are meticulously followed.

Address your motivation by discussing your passion for mentoring and supporting team members while delivering exceptional client service. Highlight specific scenarios where witnessing team growth and client success has encouraged you to excel as a leader in VAT services.

Demonstrate your organizational skills by discussing how you set clear priorities, deploy project management tools, and establish timelines. Mention examples that underline your effectiveness in balancing multiple projects without compromising quality.

Talk about your commitment to ongoing education in the VAT sector, mentioning specific resources you utilize, such as professional courses, publications, or conferences. This shows your dedication to remaining knowledgeable and being proactive in adapting strategies regarding changes in VAT regulations.

Outline a calm and professional approach to conflict resolution, emphasizing communication skills to thoroughly investigate the client’s concerns while providing clarity on compliance matters. Sharing an example of a past experience where you successfully resolved a similar disagreement would be valuable.