S

S&W

Accounting and advisory services for businesses

VAT Senior Manager

Full-Time
No salary listed
Senior
London, UK
HybridHybrid working model is noted as role dependent; the posting does not specify a required number of office days.
AccountingTax Accounting

About the job

Requirements
  • Significant VAT experience gained within the profession and/or industry at managerial level.
  • Financial Services experience.
  • Technical capability as a VAT adviser able to manage complex client work.
  • Strong advisory experience.
  • Demonstrable experience managing people and clients.
  • Existing business development skills and appetite to grow business.
  • Project management experience.
  • Experience dealing with senior stakeholders internally and externally.
  • Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA) or tax advisor (CTA).
Responsibilities
  • Manage a portfolio of clients, working with Directors or independently on complex consultancy and advisory projects.
  • Manage client relationships, identify opportunities with existing clients, and potentially develop specialist technical or sector knowledge and expertise.
  • Act as a trusted adviser and engage with clients to identify wider commercial and strategic issues while managing complex advisory and compliance cases.
  • Provide client service, lead the management and development of certain client relationships, and identify opportunities across the client portfolio.
  • Monitor staff performance and conduct appraisals.
  • Conduct one-to-one on-the-job training for junior staff and collaborate with peers across the firm.
  • Participate in local business development and profile-raising activities.
  • Develop relationships to drive new business opportunities and cross-referrals of services.
  • Ensure procedures are followed in accordance with relevant institute and HMRC guidance.

About the company

S&W provides accounting and advisory services to growing businesses and private clients in the UK and internationally. It offers tax, accountancy, assurance, and financial advisory services, delivering solutions by simplifying complexity, illuminating new paths, and tailoring strategies to client needs. Founded in 1881, the firm emphasizes expertise, client success, and a commitment to long-term partnerships. Its goal is to be the go-to professional services firm for clients with complex, diverse requirements, helping them navigate challenges and seize opportunities.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

London, United Kingdom

Founded

1881

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • H1 2026 pro forma revenue rose 12.2% to £154.1 million on 5 Aug 2026.
  • S&W added 34 partners in H1 2026, signaling strong talent-market pull.
  • Debbie Reith joined Newcastle on 6 Aug 2026, expanding R&D tax demand coverage.

What critics are saying

  • Rapid dealmaking since March 2025 creates integration risk across Vachon, ClearViewIP, and Irish acquisitions.
  • UK R&D tax relief scrutiny threatens fee income in Newcastle and Birmingham tax practices.
  • Apax-backed growth pressure makes a slowdown or failed integration an existential valuation hit.

What makes S&W unique

  • 31 Mar 2025 launch from Evelyn Partners gave S&W a focused professional-services platform.
  • S&W combines audit, tax, wealth, consulting, and restructuring across the UK and Europe.
  • ClearViewIP and Vachon add IP and French cross-border expertise competitors lack.

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Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • Hybrid Work Options
  • Paid Holidays
  • Shared Parental Leave
  • Professional Development Budget
  • Commuter Benefits

Company News

Yahoo Finance
Aug 7th, 2026
S&W hires KPMG partner Debbie Reith to lead R&D tax team in Newcastle

UK accounting and advisory practice S&W has appointed Debbie Reith as partner in its research and development team in Newcastle. Reith brings over 20 years of experience in corporate tax and innovation incentives, joining from KPMG where she served as partner in the innovation reliefs and incentives team. Her career has focused on helping companies utilise tax reliefs linked to innovation and technology investment, including R&D tax credits and Patent Box incentives. The appointment aligns with S&W's expansion plans and ongoing investment across northern England. Mark Webb, S&W Business Tax head, said Reith's deep experience in R&D tax relief will prove invaluable as the firm continues supporting businesses seeking to invest and grow. Last month, S&W added two independent non-executive directors to its board.

Bdaily
Apr 9th, 2026
SW accountancy firm acquires Paris-based Vachon to expand European reach

UK accountancy firm SW has acquired Paris-based Vachon, marking a significant step in its international expansion. The deal adds a 60-strong bilingual team to SW's network, which includes offices in London, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle. Founded in 1997, Vachon provides audit, accounting, tax, payroll and advisory services to SMEs, mid-sized businesses and large international groups, as well as family offices and investment funds. The firm will continue operating under its existing brand. SW chief executive Andrew Wilkes said France is a key market for many clients, and Vachon's expertise in French accounting requirements complements the firm's existing offering. The acquisition follows SW's two Irish acquisitions last year.

Yahoo Finance
Mar 4th, 2026
S&W appoints James Wright as partner in Birmingham business tax team

UK accountancy and advisory practice S&W has appointed James Wright as a partner in its Birmingham business tax practice. Wright brings extensive experience advising UK and cross-border businesses on corporate structuring, international taxation, transactional support and compliance. Wright said he was joining S&W at an exciting time for the firm, citing its growth, ambition and collaborative culture. He has worked with organisations across various sectors, helping them navigate changing tax regulations and supporting strategic objectives. Mark Webb, head of business tax at S&W, said Wright's technical expertise and experience with complex clients would strengthen the firm's ability to support businesses domestically and internationally. The appointment follows S&W's recent hire of Alexandra Bray as a partner in its Bristol business tax team.

SW Group
Nov 26th, 2025
S&W expands into Scotland with acquisition of Haines Watts’ businesses in Edinburgh, Kirkcaldy and Stirling (1) | S&W Group

S&W expands into Scotland with acquisition of Haines Watts’ businesses in Edinburgh, Kirkcaldy and Stirling (1)

PR News Blog
Oct 6th, 2025
S&W Acquires ClearViewIP for IP Services

S&W has announced an agreement to acquire ClearViewIP, a global intellectual property advisory firm. This acquisition will expand S&W's services to include IP strategy, operational guidance, and transactional advisory services. Two partners and ten employees from ClearViewIP will join S&W’s advisory division. The move aligns with S&W's growth strategy and aims to enhance its ability to meet the demand for IP advisory services.