Rutherford Cross is pleased to be given the responsibility of bringing the financial appointment of Tax Manager to the market for the University of Dundee. The University of Dundee is one of the UK’s leading Universities and holds social purpose at the core of what they do, building on its long-standing values.

Applicants with a range of working patterns and schedules including Part-Time are welcome.

Lead role in the provision of tax planning, tax advice and tax compliance for all areas of University taxation, including VAT and international taxation. To identify and implement tax saving opportunities, address risk areas and liaise with professional experts to ensure excellent support for decision making. To identify and implement systems and process improvements to minimise tax risk and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of tax recovery and compliance. No direct line management but expected to provide leadership to wider team in their specialist area.

Principal Duties:

• Overall responsibility for the preparation, review and submission of quarterly VAT and other direct taxation returns to HMRC, in accordance with legislation and guidance for the University and its subsidiaries
• Responsible for managing, calculating and submitting the Partial Exemption method and Capital Goods Scheme and agreeing any adjustments identified by planning/risk analysis with HMRC
• Provide pro-active advice to the whole University on all matters of indirect tax compliance
• Provide pro-active advice and seek additional expert help where necessary for all direct taxation issues, with particular emphasis on emerging international opportunities and other high tax risk initiatives. This may include place of supply rules, Import VAT, customs duties, personal tax implications and managing permanent establishments
• Develop good working relationships with HMRC and actively manage this key stakeholder, including facilitating audit visits
• Overall responsibility for development, monitoring and implementation of the University’s tax strategy and tax risk register, ensuring all decisions are within agreed risk parameters
• Develop and deliver tax training for the Finance team and wider University, as appropriate to promote tax saving opportunities and improve compliance. Responsible for ensuring all policies, guidance and procedures comply with tax best practice
• Stay abreast of relevant tax and legal changes and updates, ensuring the University’s risk in this area is appropriately managed and ensure changes are highlighted to Executive with suggestions for appropriate mitigating actions
• Research complex tax issues and the latest legislation and case law in order to minimise the taxation costs for the University. Pro-actively communicate any implications of forthcoming changes to relevant parties

Internal and External Relationships:

• Responsible for building and maintaining strong communication links and strategic partnerships internally with relevant school and professional services colleagues
• Responsible for building a strong working relationship with HMRC
• Responsible for managing the relationship with the University’s UK and international tax advisers
• To represent the University within UK sector level groups, (e.g. BUFDG tax group)

Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience:

Essential

• Fully qualified accountant (ICAEW, ICAS, CIMA, ACCA or equivalent)
• Significant experience of taxation compliance or advice within an organisation of comparable size, or as a professional tax adviser, or HMRC
• Keen interest in tax matters and a drive to ensure knowledge is kept up to date through self-learning and development
• Process improvement experience in a finance, tax or operations environment

Desirable

• Knowledge of the Higher Education sector
• Taxation qualification
• International experience

Skills, Abilities and Competencies:

Essential

• Capable of dealing with technical taxation issues
• Able to build effective working relationships with financial and non-financial managers across the University and outside
• Able to explain complex financial issues to a non-financial audience
• Able to understand how administrative processes can be used to drive efficiency/effectiveness

Please contact Ben Jones for more information; [email protected]

Our client is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status or pregnancy and maternity.