Tax Manager

About us

Here at Travel Counsellors, our customers, communities and colleagues lie at the heart of everything that we do - and that’s what makes us special. For us, relationships come before transactions, and we are there for our customers, connecting with them on a deeply human level through the moments that matter.

We’ve been changing lives for the past 30 years as the leading travel marketplace for self-employed travel entrepreneurs, empowering over 2,000 global independent travel agents to run successful leisure and corporate travel businesses. We pride ourselves in remaining a company that truly cares and one that has never wavered from its purpose; to redefine what personal means for a travel business.

Our Travel Counsellors are supported by a team of over 400 super talented people in our Support Offices to help them create unique, inspiring and exciting experiences for their customers, whilst building lasting personal relationships that bring them back to us, time and time again.

Our unique approach within the workplace – as well as towards customers – has seen us receive numerous awards and accolades, including being named as The Best Place to Work in Travel at the 2022 TTG Travel Industry Awards, placing in the Sunday Times Best Places to Work list 2023 and 2024 (Large Company) as well as being the first travel company to be awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the Innovation category!

We are currently expanding at a phenomenal rate – on the back of what is our record year in terms of revenue (over £930m) - and so are looking for outstanding individuals to join our dedicated Head Office team, to help the company continue to flourish.

Role description

The Tax Manager is responsible for managing the group’s tax compliance, ensuring accurate preparation and submission of tax returns, and advising on tax matters to ensure efficiency and compliance with UK and International tax laws. This role requires detailed knowledge of UK tax regulations/ basic understanding of international tax regulations, and a proactive approach to managing tax risks, optimising tax positions, and supporting the business with strategic tax planning. The Tax Manager will collaborate closely with internal teams and external advisors to ensure the group meets its tax obligations.

Principle Accountabilities

Corporate Taxes:

• Overseeing the coordination of the corporation tax computations for the Group including CIR, group relief, deferred tax and associated notes to the financial statements.
• Calculating the Group’s payments on account on a quarterly/bi-annual basis (UK & Ireland).
• Carrying out R&D tax relief claims for the Group.
• Reviewing the Group’s controlled foreign companies position on an annual basis.

VAT & Indirect Taxes:

• Overseeing the coordination of the Group’s indirect returns including the preparation, submission and reconciliation of returns prepared by the UK/International Management Accounts teams.
• Ensuring all VAT filings and payments are made on time.
• Regular review of the VAT rates in the Finance system and provide details of any upcoming changes to VAT rates.
• Regular review of digital filing requirements for indirect returns and provide details of any system changes required.
• Ensure proper classification and treatment of transactions to maximise VAT recovery and minimise tax exposure.

Tax Planning & Advisory:

• Developing good working relationships with our tax advisors and the tax authorities.
• Identify tax-saving opportunities and recommend tax strategies that align with business objectives.
• Assist in the development and implementation of tax-efficient structures for transactions, investments, and business activities.
• Monitor changes in tax legislation and assess their impact on the business, ensuring proactive measures are taken.
• Support the business in managing international tax issues, including permanent establishment risks, withholding taxes, and cross-border transactions.
• Support the business in managing payroll tax issues, including IR35, ERS returns, PSAs, and benefits in kind.

Compliance, Risk Management & Audits:

• Ensure the company maintains adequate documentation to support its tax positions in the event of a tax audit or review.
• Support tax audits and inquiries from tax authorities, providing necessary documentation and explanations.
• Maintaining access to tax mailboxes and portals and instructions on how to access them and monitoring tax mailboxes for correspondence on a regular basis.
• Ensuring all registered office and directors are kept up to date at the respective tax offices.
• Monitor and assess tax risks, implementing strategies to mitigate potential risks.
• Liaise with external tax advisors and auditors on tax issues, ensuring accurate and compliant tax reporting.
• Monitor and review CCO procedures in place across the Group.
• Support the CFO in his responsibilities as Senior Accounting Officer.

Transfer Pricing:

• Documenting, updating and communicating the Group’s Transfer Pricing policy and local transfer pricing files on an annual basis and reporting to the tax authorities (e.g. country by country reporting).
• Preparing the year-end management recharge calculations for inclusion in the year-end management accounts.
• Ensure compliance with local and international transfer pricing regulations and reporting requirements.

Educational/Professional Standards

Essential Qualifications and Experience:

• Qualified accountant or tax professional (ACA, ACCA, CTA, or ATT).
• Proven experience in a tax accounting role, ideally within a multinational or complex business environment.
• Strong technical knowledge of UK tax laws, including VAT, corporation tax, and PAYE.
• Experience in preparing and filing corporate tax returns and VAT returns.
• Experience liaising with HMRC and managing tax audits or inquiries.

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong analytical skills, with a high level of attention to detail.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to manage tax risks proactively.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to explain complex tax matters to non-specialists.
• Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and manage multiple priorities.
• High level of proficiency in financial and tax software (e.g. D635) and Microsoft Excel.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to maintain accurate and up-to-date tax records.

Desirable:

• Experience in transfer pricing and international tax matters.
• Familiarity with tax planning in specific sectors (e.g., financial services, manufacturing, or technology).
• Experience in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) from a tax perspective.
• Knowledge of R&D tax credits, capital allowances, and tax reliefs.

Our benefits

Working here at Travel Counsellors, we value the hard work and effort that our colleagues put in. Because of this, you can expect a wide range of employee benefits including:

• A competitive basic salary + annual company bonus
• Flexible hybrid working model
• Career development and promotional opportunities
• 25 days holidays (increasing to 28 after 5 years of service)
• A Moments That Matter day (annually)
• Enhanced Maternity / Paternity pay
• Holiday buy and sell (up to 5 days per year)
• 3 paid days charity leave
• Company events, socials, and incentives
• 3x annual salary death in service benefit
• Company Pension scheme
• Costco Membership
• Salary sacrifice, company car scheme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Free breakfast, fruit, and hot/cold beverages
• Referral scheme
• Employee discount
• Private Medical Insurance (taxable benefit) or Healthcare Cash Plan (costs incurred by employees)