Group Tax Manager

We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.

We're on a mission to give our colleagues an amazing work/life balance! We are trailing the four day working week, get paid 100% for 80%!

Job title:        Group Tax Manager 

Location:        Bolton (Hybrid)

Salary:            up to £75,000 per annum 

Hours:            9-5 Monday-Friday      

UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

Job Purpose: The Group Tax Manager is responsible for overseeing and managing the tax strategy, compliance, reporting, and planning for the group. This role ensures the business adheres to relevant tax laws while optimizing its tax position in alignment with business objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

Tax Compliance & Reporting:

• Oversee and manage the preparation, filing, and submission of tax returns for the group, including corporate income tax, VAT, and other applicable taxes.
• Ensure timely and accurate tax reporting, including VAT compliance, tax provisions, and tax disclosures for financial statements.
• Review and ensure proper tax documentation and record-keeping for VAT and other taxes in compliance with local, regional, and international tax laws.
• Collaborate with external tax advisors and auditors to ensure accurate reporting and resolve any issues related to tax filings.

VAT Management:

• Oversee the group's VAT compliance and reporting processes ensuring adherence to local VAT laws, rates, and compliance timelines.
• Provide strategic guidance on VAT matters including recovery opportunities, intercompany VAT flows, and Capital Goods Scheme.
• Work closely with finance and operations teams to optimize VAT positions, particularly focusing on VAT recovery and ensuring that VAT liabilities are minimized.
• Ensure that VAT treatments of goods and services are correctly applied, considering applicable exemptions, reduced rates, and special schemes.
• Advise the business on VAT issues arising from any potential cross-border transactions, supply chains and customs duties.

Corporate Tax Strategy & Planning:

• Develop and implement tax planning strategies to minimize the group’s tax exposure while ensuring compliance with all applicable corporate tax laws.
• Lead the group’s tax forecasting, budgeting, and tax provision processes, providing insights on expected tax liabilities and opportunities for tax savings.

Transfer Pricing:

•   Oversee the group’s transfer pricing policy and documentation, ensuring compliance with local and international regulations.
• Coordinate the preparation of transfer pricing documentation, including reports, intercompany agreements, and benchmarking studies.

Tax Risk Management:

• Identify and manage tax risks across the group, including VAT, income tax, customs duties, and other tax types.
• Lead and manage tax audits, disputes, and negotiations with tax authorities, including VAT audits and VAT-related inquiries.
• Stay updated on changes in tax legislation (including VAT and other indirect taxes) and assess their potential impact on the organization, advising on necessary adjustments.
• Stakeholder Management & External Relations:
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior management on a wide range of tax issues, including corporate tax, VAT, customs duties, and employee taxes.
• Develop and maintain a strong internal network with key stakeholders in finance, legal, and operations to ensure the tax function supports business objectives.
•  Support the business in evaluating and managing the tax implications of new business initiatives, contracts, and projects.
•  Collaborate with external tax advisors, legal counsel, and auditors to manage complex tax issues, including VAT planning, compliance, and audits.
• Represent the company in dealings with tax authorities, ensuring compliance and managing any disputes or audits.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Law; ACA, ACCA, CTA, or equivalent tax qualification is highly preferred.
• Experience: At least 5-7 years of experience in a tax role, with a strong background in VAT and corporate tax.
• Technical Expertise: In-depth knowledge of VAT laws, corporate tax regulations, transfer pricing, and indirect tax compliance.
• Project Management: Ability to manage multiple priorities and complex tax issues in a fast-paced environment.
• Analytical Skills: Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with the capacity to interpret complex tax legislation and provide actionable advice to the business.
• Other: Proven ability to prioritise and manage workload to deliver results to key deadlines. Drive to continually review and improve processes

Desirable Attributes:

• Proven ability to work under pressure and handle complex tax matters.
• Experience in the tax implications of mergers, acquisitions, and reorganizations.
• Experience with VAT-related systems and ERP platforms (e.g., SAP, Oracle) to streamline VAT compliance and reporting.
• Experience with international tax matters
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain complex tax concepts to non-tax stakeholders in an accessible and practical way.

Standard responsibilities:

There are a number of standard duties and responsibilities that all employees, irrespective of their role and level of seniority within Group are expected to be familiar with and adhere to;

• Participates in an annual performance review programme
• Works, at all times, in accordance with the policies and procedures of the OFG Group and statutory regulations applicable to the Group.
• Observes, at all times, strict rules of confidentiality appropriate to the post.
• To comply at all times with the requirements of Health and Safety Regulations to ensure their own wellbeing and that of their colleagues.
• OFG Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all employees to work in accordance with this.
• Undertakes other duties as assigned.

Why join Outcomes First Group? 

About the Group

Outcomes First Group is the leading provider of specialist education in the UK. We exist to give neurodivergent children and young people access to a great education that caters to their specific needs, abilities and aspirations.

There are three brands in our Outcomes First family: Acorn Education, Options Autism and Momenta Connect. Together, we educate, care for and support children, young people, and adults across the UK, empowering them to be happy and make their way in the world.

We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.

Our Vision
We believe that with a great education, every neurodivergent pupil can thrive and make their way in the world.

Our Mission
Every day we improve the lives of our pupils, their families, and local communities through a relentless focus on wellbeing and learning.

Our Promise
We are kind to ourselves and each other...We work together... and we make things happen.
Our Promise sits alongside our Vision and Mission. It describes the sort of people we are and our commitment to how we treat each other, work together, and behave.  

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks
• Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.

And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:

• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover

And that’s not all, we place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

We're on a mission to give our colleagues an amazing work/life balance!

We are an Equal Opportunities Employer.