Financial Accountant - Tax & Compliance

University of East London

Founded in 1898, we at the University of East London (UEL) are proud to change lives through education. Our goal is to advance industry 5.0 careers-first education and provide a clear path to the jobs and opportunities of the future. We’re committed to driving diversity in the 5.0 talent pipeline, working in partnership to promote talent wherever it is found and creating a balanced, inclusive, and green future.

But we can't achieve this goal alone. We need forward-thinking, innovative, and curious individuals like you to join our community and help us craft our future. As part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to work with a diverse range of people who share your passion for creating positive change. We’re an inclusive and welcoming community that is constantly moving forward, never satisfied with the status quo.

About Us

The Finance Department at the University of East London plays a key role in managing the University's financial resources to ensure stability, efficiency, and strategic investment in its future, aligned with Vision 2028. We provide a comprehensive range of financial services, including budgeting, financial and tax planning, compliance, and advisory support, ensuring the University operates smoothly. Our responsibilities also include the preparation of annual financial statements, statutory reporting, and regulatory submissions. We work proactively with Schools, Services, staff, and students to offer financial guidance, maintain compliance, and drive value for money across all operations. 

The Financial Accounts team’s function within the Finance Department is to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the University’s financial data. It is responsible for maintaining, controlling, and reporting financial information in compliance with statutory requirements and University regulations and policies.

About the Role 

This role will support the wider University and its subsidiaries’ activities, whilst ensuring the timely preparation and submission of VAT, and corporation tax returns and other tax compliance requirements to external bodies.

Key responsibilities include:

• Prepare and submit quarterly VAT Returns for the University and subsidiary companies, utilising the finance system, Making Tax Digital and other reporting tools. 
• Prepare the annual Corporation Tax Computation for the University and subsidiary companies. 
• Ensure that all VAT/tax accounts are reconciled to the financial statements and working papers liaising with the Head of Financial Accounts & Compliance when needed. 
• Identify, review, and correct VAT errors. 
• Provide strategic advice on all new business decisions, ensuring financial compliance in the UK and overseas.
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of changes in taxation rates, legislation and case law and advise the Associate Director - Financial Operations how to respond, sourcing and securing external professional advice where necessary.

  Qualification

  • Professional accountancy or equivalent professional tax qualification (ATT, CAT) with relevant post qualification experience in indirect taxes, or

  • A tax professional with substantial practical experience in indirect taxes.

About You

You will should have a professional accountancy or equivalent professional tax qualification (ATT, CAT) with relevant post qualification experience in indirect taxes, or a tax professional with substantial practical experience in indirect taxes take the lead in reviewing and interpreting current and proposed financial legislation and documents that impact on regulatory reporting for taxation in the UK and overseas and provide expert strategic and professional technical guidance.

You will also bring:

• Proven experience of providing tax service and advice in a similar role within the finance team of an organisation of similar size and complexity to UEL.
• Ability to express complex technical tax information and legislative texts in a straightforward way to non-tax specialist and produce appropriate tax policies and internal procedure notes for university staff to ensure compliance with tax regulations. 
• Experience in compiling VAT returns and dealing with corporate tax matters, partial exemption methods, annual adjustment, and capital goods schemes. 

Benefits Package

Here at UEL we understand it’s about more than just a salary. It’s about the entire package on offer along with our outstanding work environment and inclusive culture. We know the market rates for this vacancy and will offer a genuinely competitive salary DOE.

We care deeply about your wellbeing and our benefits can be found here Benefits for professional services positions | University of East London.

Equal Opportunities

UEL is an inclusive equal opportunities employer and are proud of our Equality, Diversity, and Inclusivity achievements, including: zero gender pay gap, members of Stonewall and have won Athena Swan awards. We expect all employees of UEL to accept our EDI policy and will not tolerate discrimination in any form.

So, if you’d like to take your career to the next level with us here at the University of East London and are inspired by our environment and committed to success, we want you to apply today!

Please note that this advert may close earlier than the deadline if we receive many applications. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.

To contact the recruitment team please phone +44 20 8223 3000 x 4600 or e-mail jobs@uel.ac.uk

CVs without a completed application form will not be accepted.

At UEL we are committed to working together to build a community which values diversity in both our staff and student populations, is representative and inclusive, enabling all to progress and thrive.