Director & Co-Head of Tax (STR024)

Affinia is a leading, UK Top 50 Accountancy firm. Through successful acquisitions and organic growth, the firm has seen significant development within the last 18 months. Last October we launched our new brand ‘Affinia’ (www.affinia.co.uk) which saw the coming together of LB Group and six other likeminded firms across the East & South East of England to form a combined challenger accounting, tax and business advisory firm.

With a combined heritage spanning over 300 years, we have more than 400 accountancy professionals based in Stratford, Colchester, Chelmsford, Ipswich, Halstead, Harlow, Orpington, Sidcup and Sutton. We advise businesses, government and public sector organisations and individuals in the UK and internationally across seven principal practice groups: Accountancy & Advisory, Tax and Planning, Audit Services, Corporate Finance, Digital Solutions, Payroll and Financial Planning.

We have invested continuously in technology and gained in-depth knowledge across a broad range of markets, growing through acquisitions and private investment. We offer an exceptional service to our clients, with access to our sector experts to develop the strategy that will help them reach their goals. We keep a finger on the industry pulse, so our clients receive the best short to medium and long-term advice.

Purpose of the role: Affinia is currently seeking a high calibre, dynamic and energetic individual to join the firm as Director & Co-Head of Tax. This is an exciting opportunity which offers the chance to make a real impact on clients, the firm and the broader community whilst driving forward tax excellence.

By expanding the Tax Operations team, the role will work with the current Head of Tax to proactively assist in the growth of the Tax Service line significantly, organically and through acquisitions, and will over time play an increasingly senior role in the leadership of the firm.

Accountabilities: The Director, Co-Head of Tax role will work closely with all other Directors and Senior Managers across the Group, responsibilities will include:

• Pro-actively grow the tax service line from c£8m to double (and more), both organically and by acquisition.
• Drive targeted and topical tax campaigns as tax legislation evolves.
• Work closely with the group reporting team and lead the tax service line results input for monthly management information and budgeting.
• Demonstrable people leadership skills, managing a team of c50+ tax employees, ensuring the team adhere to expected behaviours and targets, having the required commerciality to successfully motivate, retain and attract talent.
• Identify potential tax risks and cash savings opportunities, and lead initiatives to manage the risks or realise the opportunities.
• Assist with expanding the tax services the firm offers.
• Promote and enhance culture of first-class client delivery in both compliance and advisory fields.
• Cultivate relationships with external tax advisers, consultants, and industry peers to leverage their expertise and stay informed about global tax developments.
• Experience of working with our target clients such as family-owned, SMEs and not purely large corporate clients.
• Drive and evolve the suite of KPI’s across the tax service line covering both business and client expectations.

Skills/Qualifications: The ideal individual will be accomplished in all areas of Tax and possess strong interpersonal and communication skills with a genuine desire to grow the Tax Service line.

• All-round tax knowledge in not just one specific specialism area, understandably there may be a bias to one defined function.
• CTA qualification or an equivalent professional tax qualification.
• Knowledge of ‘running’ a tax team as opposed to prioritising the administering of client work. Confidence to delegate across the team, continuing to build a team to suit business demands.
• Experience and ability to manage the KPIs of the Tax Service Line such as Chargeable Time, Recoveries, Utilisation and Gross Margin and take the necessary actions to improve the performance where needed.
• Demonstrable people leadership skills.
• Be able to collaborate with internal stakeholders, working closely with various departments, including C Suite and non-fee earners (Business Support, Recruitment, HR, marketing etc).
• Someone with the required gravitas to represent and promote the new Affinia brand externally.

Core Benefits: At Affinia, our culture is driven by ambition and a commitment to positively impact all the communities we serve. We are dedicated to the success, development, and wellbeing of our colleagues, helping them achieve their goals and seize the opportunities that come with our growth. Alongside a flexible and inclusive work environment, we offer the following core benefits:

• 30 days holiday (FTE) plus Bank Holidays (Sept-Aug).
• Auto enrolment Pension Scheme with True Potential
• Death in Service
• Professional membership support
• Paycare – claim money back for Dental / Optical / Professional Therapies
• Agile/Hybrid Working Policy
• Dress for your Diary Policy

Affinia is a flexible business which has embraced a hybrid working model where our colleagues enjoy a mix of home and office working. We welcome applications from people looking for flexible and agile, roles and we are happy to explore your preferred working patterns as part of your application.

Affinia is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policy is unequivocal: we do not tolerate discrimination based on age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, or sexual orientation. We pride ourselves on being an inclusive organisation that actively promotes equality of opportunity for all, valuing the right mix of talent, skills, and potential. We welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates, and selection for roles is based solely on individual merit.

Use the ‘Apply Now’ link to view the role and benefits package.