VAT Accountant

As a VAT Accountant, your primary responsibility will be to ensure the timely and accurate production of the periodic UK VAT Return. This includes conducting a robust VAT reasonableness review, inputting VAT journals to the general ledger, and reconciling VAT balance sheet accounts. You will collaborate with finance teams to assist in producing accurate VAT forecasting and communicate with external auditors during the half-year and year-end processes. Additionally, you will maintain up-to-date documentation of working practices, monitor manual postings to VAT accounts, and provide accurate information to the Indirect Tax team for ad hoc projects and queries. Your role will also involve preparing disclosures to HMRC, delivering VAT training across the finance team and wider business, and managing tax administration processes. Success in this role will be measured by the timely and accurate production of VAT returns, the absence of material discrepancies with, As a VAT Accountant for our organisation, you are a highly skilled and detail-oriented finance professional with a strong foundation in core accounting principles. Your expertise in producing timely and accurate VAT returns, along with your understanding of HMRC compliance and VAT accounting, ensures the integrity of our financial reporting. With your strong Excel skills and proficiency in finance systems like Oracle, you are able to investigate and amend reported financials, removing any known inaccuracies. Your ability to reconcile balance sheet accounts, liaise with finance teams, and collaborate with external auditors demonstrates your commitment to maintaining a robust control environment and delivering accurate VAT forecasting. Your strong communication skills and positive customer feedback highlight your ability to work collaboratively with tax team members and other colleagues. Overall, your attention to detail, professionalism, and knowledge in the
field of taxation make you an invaluable asset to our team.
We are committed to being a truly inclusive retailer, so you'll be welcomed whoever you are and wherever you work. Around here, there's always the chance to try something new - whether that's as part of an evolving team or somewhere else across the business - and we take development seriously and promise to support you. We also recognise and celebrate colleagues when they go the extra mile and, where possible, offer flexible working. When you join our team, we'll also offer you an amazing range of benefits. Here are some of them

management accounts, satisfactory reconciliation of balance sheet accounts, positive feedback from colleagues, and improvements in the forecasting process. A part or qualified CIMA/ACCA/ACA qualification, strong core accounting knowledge, and proficiency in Excel and finance systems such as Oracle are essential for this role. Previous experience in completing VAT returns and understanding HMRC compliance/VAT accounting is desirable.

We'd all like amazing work to do, and real work-life balance. That's waiting for you at Sainsbury's. For a FTSE business, we move incredibly fast. When we're not handling projects, we're helping all corners of the wider group with what they're trying to achieve. And around here, you can see the results of your work as soon as you walk into a store, which gives you a real sense of purpose and responsibility. Better still, the team around you will listen to your ideas and opinions, and you'll have every chance to try something new. The sheer scale and complexity of our set-up means there's always something else around the corner, and we'll help and support you every step of the way. We're trusted to get on with it. So get ready to make things happen here.
Please note this role can be based out of either of our Store Support Centres in Manchester or London - office/home hybrid working
Why join us
By joining our team at Sainsbury's, you will have the opportunity to be part of a dynamic and collaborative environment where your expertise in VAT accounting and compliance will make a significant impact. As a valued member of our team, you will play a crucial role in ensuring the timely and accurate production of periodic VAT returns, reconciling VAT balance sheet accounts, and liaising with internal and external stakeholders to maintain a robust control environment. With the support and resources provided, you will have the chance to develop your skills and knowledge further while contributing to continuous process improvements. Join us and be part of a team that is committed to delivering excellence in VAT accounting and compliance within a renowned organisation.
What you'll be doing

Starting off with colleague discount, you'll be able to get 10% off at Sainsbury's, Argos, TU and Habitat after 4 weeks. This increases to 15% off at Sainsbury's every Friday and Saturday and 15% off at Argos every pay day. We've also got you covered for your future with our pensions scheme and life cover. You'll also be able to share in our success as you may be eligible for a performance-related bonus of up to 10% of salary, depending on how we perform.

Your wellbeing is important to us too. You'll receive an annual holiday allowance, and you can buy additional holiday. We also offer other benefits that will help your money go further such as season ticket loans, cycle to work scheme, health cash plans, pay advance (where you can access some of your pay before pay day) as well access to a great range of discounts from hundreds of other retailers. And if you ever need it there is also an employee assistance programme.

Moments that matter are as important to us as they are to you which is why we give up to 26 weeks' pay for maternity or adoption leave and up to 4 weeks' pay for paternity leave.