Trainee Tax (VAT) Assistant Newcastle 2023

As an expanding business with 16 offices at present, Armstrong Watson LLP is a leading independent accountancy firm ranked in the top 35 firms of accountants and business advisers.

With approximately 570 colleagues, our people and our culture are at the heart of what we do. We recognise the unique impact our employees have on not only our clients, but also our colleagues and the communities in which we operate in. Our success is dependent on every colleague behaving consistently across all four of our values: Passion, Trust, Honesty and Humanity.

The Role

We are now recruiting for a VAT and Indirect Tax Assistant to join our Newcastle office and become one of the latest additions to our growing Tax Consultancy Service Line. We would like for this individual to start with us as soon as possible.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone looking to begin a career in Tax advisory. You’ll be specialising in VAT and Indirect Tax and this role has excellent opportunities for progression within the Service Line.

No prior VAT knowledge is required, as full training will be given.

This role is a springboard to launching a successful career in the fascinating and intellectually stimulating area of VAT advisory.

As this is a VAT advisory role the focus from day one will be developing a deep technical knowledge and skills needed to deliver high quality, proactive VAT and Customs Duty advice for our clients, working alongside senior experienced colleagues.

Training and development is at the core of the role and you will be provided with ongoing support to grow technically and professionally in a supportive environment.

We will be providing the successful candidate with ATT qualification study support. Following successful completion of ATT study support is available for undertaking the CTA qualification to become a Chartered Tax Advisor.

The key elements of this role will include but not be limited to:

• Carrying out technical research as required to support the delivery of VAT advice
• Assisting with the preparation and submission of VAT Registration applications and other compliance matters
• Assisting with VAT Enquiries, including liaising with HM Revenue and Customs
• Assisting with providing advice to our clients in areas such as liability of supplies, VAT deduction, international trade, customs duty, and VAT review.
• Corresponding with colleagues across the firm to collate information required to prepare VAT forms and reports as part of a client service team
• Using technical VAT knowledge to liaise with internal colleagues on matters affecting VAT returns and dealing with basic queries from clients
• Completing any other administrative duties in the VAT team as and when required
• Effectively managing the balance between your on the job learning and classroom study, giving full commitment to both
• Diligently working through your training plan over a three year period to ensure successful completion of your ATT qualification alongside development of your VAT and Indirect Tax knowledge and skills

The Candidate

In order to be eligible to apply for the vacancy, you must:

• Have Right to Work in the UK
• Have Permanent Residency in the UK
• Have NO Unspent Criminal Convictions
• Hold a 2:1 degree or above in any discipline or possess the full AAT qualification (including Level 4)
• Have a minimum of 110 UCAS points (obtained at A or AS Level)
• Hold a full UK Driving Licence already, or plan to obtain a full UK Driving Licence prior to December 2023
• Hold 7 GCSEs at Grade C or above (including Maths, English and at least 1 Science)

In order to fulfil the role, we expect you to be:

• Seeking a challenge and able to balance on-the-job work with study (for ATT Qualification)
• Comfortable working within a fast paced working environment
• A dedicated team player and willing to assist colleagues within the team where possible
• Able to prioritise workloads under strict deadlines and work well under pressure
• Able to use initiatives and have great organisation / problem-solving skills

The Benefits

In return for your hard work helping us shape our future growth and development; we will provide a competitive salary and a positive benefits package which includes:

• 3.1% Employer Contribution Pension Scheme including Life Cover and Income Protection
• Enhanced Annual Leave which will increase throughout your length of service and option an Annual Leave Purchase Scheme allowing you to buy up to 5 additional days annual leave each year
• Flexible & Smart Working – giving you the ability to balance home-working, office location etc.
• Life Cover of 4x your salary
• Health Shield Cash Plan (provides cash back on a range of Health benefits and discounts on fashion, entertainment, holidays etc)
• Introductory Commission Scheme (financial reward if you refer a new client)
• Employee Assistance Programme (confidential support for emotional wellbeing)
• Employee Referral Scheme (financial reward if you refer new AW colleagues) of up to £2,500
• Detailed and thorough on-the-job training
• Reviews and appraisals with your management team to ensure regular communication and providing you with a platform to enhance your career

In addition to all the benefits you would expect from an award winning employer, you will be given the utmost encouragement and support to develop your career further.

When you’re with us…... we’re with you.