Finance Manager with some European experience

Finance & compliance manager Europe

This is a hands-on Finance Manager role based at the company's Buckingham head office with end-to-end responsibility for VAT and tax processes covering the Belgian operations and general finance transactions. The role will design and run VAT processes, ensure Belgian tax compliance, liaise with external advisors and authorities, and put in place robust controls and reporting to the Group Finance team. You will be the subject-matter expert on Belgian/EU VAT and a key bridge between UK HQ, local Belgian operations and external tax advisors.Key responsibilities
Own and operate VAT processes for Belgian operations (registrations, filings, VAT reclaim process, Intrastat/EC Sales Lists where applicable).
Provide technical VAT and indirect tax advice on cross-border supplies of goods and services, place-of-supply issues and reverse-charge treatments.
Ensure Belgian tax compliance and statutory submissions are met on time; co-ordinate with external Belgian tax/accounting advisors and manage relationships with local authorities.
Prepare, review and approve Belgian VAT returns and supporting reconciliations; ensure correct VAT treatment is applied in the ERP.
Support corporate tax and other direct tax requirements for Belgian entity (liaise with tax advisers to prepare local filings, tax computations and disclosures).
Implement and continuously improve VAT / tax controls, SOPs and automation to minimise risk and improve efficiency.
Lead VAT audits/queries - prepare responses, co-ordinate information and manage remediation actions.
Provide hands-on support to transactional teams (purchasing, sales, logistics) to ensure correct VAT treatment on contracts, supplier invoices and intercompany charging.
Deliver regular reporting and insight to Group Finance (VAT exposures, cashflow impacts, tax provisions and compliance status).
Train and upskill colleagues on VAT/tax treatment and controls relevant to Belgian/EU operations.
Some travel to Belgium as required for implementations, audits and stakeholder engagement.
Experience & skills (essential)

• Qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA or equivalent) or experienced tax professional.
• Proven, demonstrable experience with Belgian VAT and Belgian tax compliance (either in-house or with an advisory firm).
• Strong knowledge of EU cross-border VAT principles and how they apply to construction, goods movement and services.
• Experience building and operating VAT processes, reconciliations and control frameworks.
• Comfortable working in the company's ERP (e.g., SAP / Oracle / Sage or similar) and have strong Excel skills.
• Excellent stakeholder management - able to liaise with HQ, local operations, external advisors and tax authorities.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to translate technical tax rules into practical operational processes.
• Right to work in the UK; willingness to travel regularly to Belgium.

Desirable

• Fluent in English and either French or Dutch (would be advantageous).
• Previous experience in construction sector VAT issues (reverse-charge in construction supply, place of supply for services) or with multi-site / multi-entity groups.
• Experience of managing VAT audits or disputes with HMRC / Belgian tax authorities.
• Experience implementing VAT automation tools / process improvements.

What's on offerCompetitive salary (benchmark £70,000-£85,000 depending on experience flexible for the right candidate).
Annual bonus and benefits package.
Hybrid working from Buckingham HQ #