Associate Director (VAT)

At S&W, we help our clients thrive by simplifying the complex, illuminating new paths, and shaping solutions that make a difference. As one of the UK’s top 10 fastest-growing accountancy firms, we have been a trusted partner since 1881—helping businesses and individuals meet challenges and seize opportunities across generations.

Built on expertise and driven by ambition, we provide a comprehensive range of services, including tax and accountancy, advisory and assurance, corporate finance, and restructuring. We are defined by our purpose—to help navigate challenges, unlock potential, and achieve the extraordinary. 

What will you be doing?

We’re seeking a talented individual to join our VAT team in London which is responsible for providing VAT compliance and advisory services for a wide range of business clients.

You will be managing your own portfolio of clients, working with Partners/Directors or alone on complicated consultancy and advisory projects. A significant part of the role will be the business development of existing and new clients as well as potentially developing a specialist sector knowledge and expertise.

As Associate Director your responsibilities will include among others

• Client work - Act as trusted adviser and engage with clients on wider commercial and strategic issues whilst managing a portfolio of complex advisory and compliance cases
• Staff Management and development – Conducting appraisals/monitor staff performance, and provide on the job training for junior staff on a one-to-one basis
• Practice Development- Getting involved in business development activities to raise the team profile raising locally whilst actively using a network of established relationships to drive new business opportunities and cross referral of services
• Personal Development (Technical & Other) – attending internal and external seminars and courses and ensuring you are up to date on tax policies/ procedures and HMRC guidance

Skills and Experience

To be successful in this role, you should

• Have significant VAT experience gained within a professional services setting or industry
• Be a technically capable VAT adviser who is able to manage complex client work
• Be able to demonstrate your experience of managing people and clients
• Hold existing business development skills and appetite to grow business
• Have solid project management experience
• Have previous experience of dealing with senior stakeholders both internally and externally
• Be a qualified accountant (ACA/ACCS) or tax advisor (CTA)

Desired

• Client focus - ability to deliver consistently excellent client service
• Commercial awareness - delivers value to client and team profitability
• Teamwork experience- organises and supports others
• Good communicator - both written and oral
• Problem solving ability - positive attitude to solving problems and delivering outcomes

Additional Information

As a colleague here at S&W you will have access to benefits that include

• Competitive salary
• Private medical insurance
• Life assurance
• Pension contribution
• Hybrid working model (role dependent)
• Generous holiday package
• Option to purchase additional holiday
• Shared parental leave
• Fully funded training towards professional qualifications
• Cycle to work scheme
• Season ticket loan
• Eye care support

We are proud to value the differences that a diverse workforce brings, representative of society and our clients. At S&W we have a wide range of highly active employee resource groups and we’re delivering multiple diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives across the organisation. It is our commitment to provide a workplace where all colleagues, regardless of identity, background, or circumstance, feel respected as individuals and feel that they can achieve their full potential and work in a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment.

We are happy to make any reasonable adjustments to accommodate for your needs throughout the application process. Please let your Recruiter know.