A quick look at the role
The Group Head of Tax has strategic ownership of all tax matters (both direct and indirect) across the Biffa Group with a focus on corporation tax, landfill tax and VAT. You will have accountability for leading and planning opportunities with taxation and for ensuring the Biffa Group maintains tax compliance at all times. This role would be ideal for someone either in practice or in-house and looking to step up to a Group Head of Tax position.
Your core responsibilities
- Primary point of contact for HMRC on all tax matters including general queries, information requests, disputes, voluntary disclosures and audits. Any disputes and audits that may arise are to be proactively driven forward to conclusion with optimal outcomes for the company. A key factor in this will be the continuation of the existing collaborative relationship between Biffa and its Customer Compliance Manager (CCM).
- Accurate forecasting of corporation tax charges and cash payments for the Group's annual Budget and Five Year Plan process, with efficient utilisation of capital allowances and carried forward losses. Calculation of the tax numbers for the Group's Annual Report. Completion of the Group's numerous tax computations for submission to HMRC.
- Develop a detailed understanding of landfill tax and provide expert tax advice to the Landfill Operations, Legal and Internal Audit teams to drive best practice, monitor adherence and design new controls if necessary. Responsible for overseeing all landfill tax returns.
- Monitor all manual processes to ensure compliance. To stress test assumptions made within the IT system to ensure robustness of processes. To review and approve the return prepared by the accounting team and to ensure that the correct amount of VAT is accounted for and remitted to HMRC within the statutory deadlines.
- Lead the RDEC process and identify compliant ways of maximising Biffa's claim.
- Primary contact within Biffa for any tax queries that may arise and to develop excellent relationships throughout the business to achieve business-conscious tax solutions. This includes working with Operations, HR, etc. to find the most efficient ways of handling new tax legislation.
- Manage the SAO process to ensure that the CFO is confident in the annual certificate to be signed. To facilitate meetings at a senior level to ensure issues are disclosed, recorded and presented on the SAO certificate.
- Actively monitor changes in tax legislation to ensure that any potential cash tax advantages for the company are thoroughly assessed and implemented if deemed in-line with company policy.
- Lead any tax litigation processes at Tax Tribunal, Judicial Review or the Chancery Courts.
- Lead on the tax element of due diligence and integration processes on Biffa's numerous acquisitions.
Our essential requirements
- Chartered Tax Advisor or Association of Taxation Technicians
- Experience working in either an in-house tax team, an accountancy firm or HMRC
- Up-to-date with latest legislation affecting corporation tax and VAT
- Desirable - understanding of other tax areas such as landfill tax, electricity generator levy and payroll-related taxes
Biffa - we're changing the way people think about waste
At Biffa, we love working with waste. Whether we're turning it into sustainable power, finding new ways to recycle it or simply keeping it off the streets, we believe every day is an opportunity to improve the lives of millions. It's a view that's shared by our 11,000+ people around the country, who trust us to provide them with a career that's always rewarding, often challenging, but never dull.
We believe different ideas, perspective and backgrounds are key to developing a creative and effective working environment which is why you'll find us championing diversity and equality at every turn.