VAT & Taxation Advisor

About Bath & North East Somerset Council

At Bath & North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose to improve people’s lives.

This post attracts a welcome payment of 5% of the starting salary for the grade to enable individuals to join our permanent workforce. This is payable upon successful completion of your probationary period and is subject to eligibility criteria.

This role is eligible for a £2,000 Retention Payment (Prorata for parttime roles). To recognise and reward commitment, a £2,000 retention payment is available. This will be paid in two instalments:

• £1,000 after completing 2 years of service
• A further £1,000 after an additional 6 months

Can you combine incisive analysis of information and regulations with provision of advice and guidance to colleagues? If you’re a taxation or finance professional looking for a fresh challenge, why not become our next VAT & Taxation Advisor?

This key role, providing strategic and professional Indirect Taxation support and advice, will give you the chance to develop and manage all aspects of tax planning, reporting and compliance across the Council. We are looking for a taxation or finance professional, ideally with experience of working in a local authority or similar complex organisation. You should be comfortable analysing a multi‑dimensional financial picture, alongside relevant tax legislation, without compromising your keen eye for detail.

Directly responsible to the Corporate Finance Manager, you’ll play a key role in the provision of advice on all VAT and other taxation issues to Members and officers at all levels across our organisation. This post will provide opportunities to support and advise managers using your expertise to provide the critical context to make informed and compliant decisions.

You’ll proactively anticipate, research, interpret and analyse current and proposed tax regulations, determining their effect on the Council and the services it provides. You will have advanced Excel skills and have experience of financial modelling along with excellent communication skills. Whilst enjoying working in a team, you will also be comfortable working on your own to meet tight deadlines.

We know you keep a close eye on the specifics, so you’ll want to read through our job description and person specification to learn more about what’s involved and the skills we’re looking for.

If you are interested in this post and require more details after reading through the role specific criteria, or just to confidentially talk through the role and what’s involved, please contact Jamie Whittard on

No agencies, please. Please note that this advert may close earlier than the stated closing date due to high demand. We advise all interested candidates to apply as soon as possible.

• Please note, BANES Council operates a policy of prior consideration for roles for any individual on the Council’s at‑risk register (redeployee). This means should a redeployee express an interest in this role, providing they meet the essential criteria for the role they will be considered ahead of external applicants.

Interview date: TBC.

We offer a wide range of benefits, to ensure that you are paid fairly for your work, have the flexibility to enjoy a great work/life balance, and have the support you need.

We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us. Find out more on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. We are a Disability Confident Employer.

The Council is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce. Applications for job‑share, part‑time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.