Job Role: VAT Accountant
Hours: Monday to Friday, 35-hour week.
Location: Chester (CH4)
Pay: -23.46 per hour

Manpower is pleased to be recruiting for one of our major clients for a VAT Accountant based in Chester. This is a temporary position to cover a 9 month period.

POSITION PURPOSE
This role sits within the Tax COE Europe team. The 2 main aspects of the role are:
* To take responsibility for and to manage VAT reporting compliance requirements for a group of markets within Europe region and other international markets, as required, ensuring internal and external deadlines are met.
* To provide advice on VAT compliance related queries, coordinating with external and internal stakeholders where necessary.

In addition, the successful candidate is expected to maintain a constant awareness of local VAT legislation and act as a real internal consultant to satisfy stakeholder expectations.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
* Preparation of monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly or annual VAT returns and other indirect tax returns (sales listings, domestic listings, purchase listings, Intrastat, SAF-T) using Excel and/or indirect tax return preparation tool technology
* Preparing and requesting necessary VAT submission approvals from internal stakeholders and following up on VAT payment requests and archiving documentation after submissions are completed
* Preparation of VAT General Ledger reconciliation and follow up on issues and open items
* Reconciliation of GL sales to reported VAT sales and follow up on issues and open items
* Manage and assist with VAT compliance queries from the business as necessary
* Support preparing VAT requirements documents and other documents as needed
* Support Tax Technology team to test and implement requirements on a timely basis, as necessary
* Continuous monitor of VAT legislation to identify relevant changes
* Assistance in maintenance of VAT codes tables and VAT codes in accounting system
* Assistance with VAT audits and liaison with tax authorities as necessary
* Support strategy of standardisation and automation, continuous improvement and risk management

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:
Education/Experience
* 2+ years'' experience of VAT compliance in at least one jurisdiction in a multi-national tax environment or equivalent.
* Experience with SAP or Oracle is advantageous.
* Excellent Excel skills.
* Fluency in English.

FUNCTIONAL/TECHNICAL
* Ability to successfully manage competing priorities.
* Ability to work with a range of technically and culturally diverse people.
* Ability to effectively communicate to a diverse audience, at multiple levels within the company.
* Autonomous working.
* Ability to establish formal relationships with internal customers.
* Demonstrates a team orientated approach.
* Strong written and verbal communication to facilitate relationships with peers and senior management.
* Ability to assess and resolve problems.
* Strong analytical skills.

DEVELOPMENTAL VALUE
* Opportunity to gain an understanding of the business needs of an international pharmaceutical company from a VAT compliance perspective.
* Opportunity to work within a professional and high performing team.
* Develop the ability to impact and influence within the company to deliver superior business results.
* Opportunity to gain international and country specific VAT expertise.
* Opportunity to gain experience of working within a European team and in a shared services environment.