Indirect Tax Analyst

About the role

Our Finance team provides the vital insight and governance that allows our brands to thrive. As an Indirect Tax Analyst, you will take ownership of the integrity and accuracy of our VAT reporting, ensuring we meet legal obligations while supporting the wider tax team. This is a proactive role that goes beyond simple reporting. You will act as a trusted advisor to the business, providing relevant tax guidance on new initiatives and ensuring VAT implications are understood from the outset.

We are looking for a collaborative Partner who possesses a solid understanding of VAT accounting and a drive for continuous improvement. If you enjoy consolidating processes, enhancing controls, and working within a supportive, purpose-led environment, this is an excellent opportunity to develop your tax career.

Salary: Up to £48,000

Contract type: Permanent

Working pattern: We support a blended working approach. This role offers the flexibility to work from home or the office, with a requirement for regular collaborative attendance at our head office locations in Pimlico (London) or Bracknell.

Location: Pimlico or Bracknell (Hybrid)

• Legal Compliance:
  Preparing quarterly VAT returns, ensuring all information is accurate, consolidated, and submitted on time.
• Financial Integrity:
  Managing month-end VAT accounting reconciliations and advising our Operational Finance teams on required journals.
• Risk Management:
  
  Operating key controls in relation to VAT as required by the Tax Internal Control Framework (ICF) and maintaining up-to-date documentation.
• Strategic Advisory:
  Providing stakeholders with timely, value-added insight regarding new business initiatives, ensuring VAT requirements are known and understood.
• Continuous Improvement:
  Proactively seeking incremental improvements to processes, systems, and policies based on feedback and industry best practice.
• Collaborative Teamwork:
  Working across the function to coordinate work, meet deadlines, and drive a culture of shared purpose and high service levels.
• Relationship Management:
  Influencing and managing relationships with internal teams and external stakeholders to enable successful delivery of tax projects.

• Tax Accounting Background: A proven track record in VAT return and accounting roles, including significant experience with tax accounting processes.
• Data Proficiency:
  You are a confident user of Excel and Google Sheets, capable of handling large datasets with accuracy.
• Stakeholder Engagement:
  Confident in working effectively with business partners and translating tax requirements for non-specialist audiences.
• Proactive Mindset:
  Evidence of seeking improvements in the quality and efficiency of reporting and systems.
• Self-Motivation:
  The ability to work on your own initiative while remaining a strong, supportive team player.

• Specialist Reporting:
  Experience with the preparation or submission of Plastic Packaging Tax and GST (Channel Islands) returns.
• Professional Development: A tax or accounting qualification or evidence of recent, high-level technical VAT training.
• Industry Knowledge: A current understanding of the key VAT legislation affecting the retail industry.

We’re the largest employee-owned business in the UK and home of John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re not just employees, we’re Partners, driven by a purpose to build a happier world. We’re focused on being brilliant at retail, innovating, adapting, and serving our customers with quality and service.

As Partners we share ownership and responsibility, contributing to our success while treating everyone with kindness and respect. We strive to create an environment where Partners can thrive and grow both individually and collectively.

It’s important to note that some roles are subject to pre-employment vetting (which may include DBS checks). If required, you’ll be informed and provided with information about vetting during the recruitment process. Any DBS checks will be carried out by a third-party body, and financial probity checks may also be required for some roles.

Vacancies may close early if a high volume of applications is received. If you require a reasonable adjustment due to a disability to complete your application, please contact us as soon as possible. We support flexible working arrangements where possible and discuss this further with the hiring manager at interview.