VAT Accountant – EK

Job Details

Organisation: Amber Valley Borough Council (AVBC)
Reporting to: Chief Accountant & Head of Finance
Contract: Interim Assignment – 3 Months / 13 Weeks

Hours: 3 days per week
Working Pattern: Hybrid – ideally 2 days per week in the office, minimum 1 day per week
Start Date: 30 September

Job Purpose

Amber Valley Borough Council is seeking an experienced Interim VAT Accountant to provide specialist VAT expertise, training and knowledge transfer to a new permanent member of the Accountancy team.

The successful candidate will work closely with the new team member throughout the assignment, providing practical training and guidance across all aspects of VAT within a district council environment and ensuring the individual develops a strong understanding of the Council’s VAT processes, procedures and requirements.

Key Responsibilities

  • Provide comprehensive VAT training and knowledge transfer to a new member of the Accountancy team.
  • Work closely with the new member of staff on a day-to-day basis to transfer practical VAT knowledge and experience.
  • Develop a detailed understanding of AVBC-specific VAT matters, working alongside other members of the Accountancy team where required.
  • Prepare and support the submission of VAT returns, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
  • Provide advice on the VAT treatment of fees and charges across the Council.
  • Manage and provide guidance on VAT recovery and VAT compliance.
  • Support and explain the Council’s Partial Exemption (PE) calculations.
  • Provide advice and guidance on VAT coding and the appropriate application of VAT codes.
  • Advise on Option to Tax / Opting to Tax considerations.
  • Deal with and provide guidance on VAT queries raised by colleagues across the Council.
  • Train the new team member on how and when to utilise external VAT advisers and specialist tax helplines, including PS Tax.
  • Provide guidance on wider and emerging VAT issues, including implications arising from Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).
  • Demonstrate best practice in identifying, researching and resolving complex local authority VAT issues.
  • Quickly learn and operate the Council’s financial management system and associated processes.
  • Use Microsoft Access and databases effectively to support VAT and financial processes.
  • Ensure relevant VAT policies, procedures and controls are understood and followed.

Essential Experience & Skills

The successful candidate will have:

  • Extensive experience managing VAT matters within a district council or local authority.
  • Strong knowledge of Local Government VAT and public-sector VAT requirements.
  • Proven experience preparing and submitting VAT returns.
  • Experience with Partial Exemption (PE) calculations.
  • Strong understanding of VAT recovery and VAT compliance.
  • Experience dealing with VAT coding and VAT treatment of fees and charges.
  • Experience advising on Option to Tax / Opting to Tax.
  • Experience handling complex VAT queries and providing practical VAT advice.
  • Knowledge of Local Government Reorganisation and its potential VAT implications.
  • Proven experience providing VAT training, coaching or knowledge transfer.
  • Excellent communication skills and the ability to explain complex VAT matters clearly to non-specialists.
  • Ability to work closely and effectively with one individual for the duration of the assignment.
  • Ability to quickly understand and adapt to a new financial management system.
  • Practical experience using databases, particularly Microsoft Access.
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving and organisational skills.

Person Specification

Essential

  • Local Authority / District Council VAT experience
  • Extensive VAT accounting experience
  • VAT returns
  • Partial Exemption
  • VAT recovery
  • VAT compliance
  • VAT coding
  • Option to Tax
  • VAT advisory experience
  • VAT training / knowledge transfer
  • Microsoft Access / database experience
  • Experience working within a local government finance environment
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively
  • Strong communication and stakeholder-management skills

Working Arrangements

This is a 3-day-per-week interim assignment for approximately 13 weeks.

The role is hybrid, with an expectation of ideally 2 days per week working from the Council offices, with a minimum requirement of 1 day per week in the office. Office days will be agreed between the Interim VAT Accountant, the new member of staff and the Chief Accountant.

The assignment will commence on 30 September, with 1 day of work during the first week and 2 days during the final week, to accommodate the Council’s Christmas closedown arrangements.

Candidate Eligibility

The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the UK.