VAT Advisor

VAT Advisor

We are Lightsource bp – and we’re on a mission to become a global leader in onshore renewables, anchored by our proven track record in solar development.

For over a decade we’ve been actively working to diversify the way our world is powered with sustainable and responsible renewable power. We work to safely deliver affordable, reliable, large-scale onshore renewable and energy storage solutions to help the world decarbonise.

Our growing business is constantly innovating and investing to help drive the energy transition. Our people and projects are focused on supporting long-term sustainable growth and energy security.

Lightsource bp operates with five core values: Safety, Integrity, Respect, Sustainability, and Drive.

We seek to attract and hire individuals who share our commitment to creating a safe workplace, uphold the highest standards of integrity, and demonstrate respect for colleagues, communities, and the environment. Our recruitment process promotes sustainability by valuing long-term growth and responsible practices, while seeking candidates with the drive to innovate and lead in the global energy transition.

Together, these values shape how we engage, assess, and welcome talent to join us in delivering transformational solar power solutions worldwide.

Lightsource bp was fully acquired by bp in 2024.

What You’ll do (the role)

SUMMARY

The VAT Advisor will take responsibility for overseeing Lightsource bp’s indirect tax return preparation, submission and reconciliation in a number of EMEA and APAC jurisdictions. The role’s main purpose is to manage the relationship with Outsourced Service Providers (“OSP”) and Group Finance to ensure timely and accurate filing of VAT/GST returns and related reports, and provide related VAT advisory services to the business.

The VAT Advisor will work closely with the wider Tax and Finance teams and will assist the Senior Indirect Tax Manager with VAT/GST audits, due diligence workstreams, new VAT/GST registrations and groupings as well as other ad hoc indirect tax compliance and advisory tasks. The role will also provide opportunities to be involved in indirect tax technology and governance projects.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBLITIES

• Manage the timely and accurate submission of VAT/GST returns and other indirect tax filings prepared by OSPs;
• Review VAT/GST returns prepared by Outsourced Service Providers;
• Ensure timely payment and recording of relevant VAT/GST liabilities;
• Act as point of contact to Outsourced Service Providers and Group Finance;
• Review month-end reconciliation of VAT accounts and required journal postings;
• Provide tax advisory services to the business including supporting indirect tax due diligence and structuring for M&A / divestment projects;
• Advise on transactional VAT/GST issues, cash-flow optimisation, and tax-planning initiatives;
• Coordinate with Group Finance and OSPs to ensure integrity of VAT/GST data and information;
• Identify VAT/GST compliance risks or irregularities (e.g. incorrect invoice postings) and take corrective actions;
• Support the Senior Indirect Tax Manager with VAT/GST audits;
• Support the Senior Indirect Tax Manager with VAT/GST registrations and
• groupings;
• Identify and implement improvement opportunities to the group’s VAT/GST
• compliance processes;
• Assist with the implementation of indirect tax technology;
• Support the Senior Indirect Tax Manager in monitoring changes to VAT legislation and identifying any resulting impact on the business;
• Carry out any other ad hoc tasks as required by the business.

Who we’re looking for 

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

• 4-5 years experience in VAT/GST compliance (preparation, review and submission) in a practice or an in-house role (ideally working within a multi-national company)
• Understanding of VAT principles and concepts (e.g. reverse charge)
• Experience of VAT accounting/reconciliations
• Excellent working knowledge of Excel
• Experience of working unsupervised on day-to-day responsibilities
• Experience of working under pressure towards tight deadlines
• Experience managing multiple OSPs
• Experience in direct audit response to tax authorities
• Experience in providing VAT/GST technical advice to the business including transactional support, M&A and structuring
• Ability to design, oversee and challenge compliance processes delivered externally
• Ability to proactively identify risks, planning opportunities and cash-flow impacts across jurisdictions.
• Working experience in SAP S/4 HANA is beneficial but not essential
• GST experience in APAC countries, in particular Australia and New Zealand, would be an advantage

Why you’ll make a great member of the team

PERSONAL QUALITIES

• Ability to work well under pressure on multiple priorities and to critical deadlines
• Flexible approach in a fast-paced business which is constantly changing
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision as well as part of a team
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail
• Strong interpersonal, communication and numeracy skills
• Good analytical skills, inquisitive nature and willing to ask probing questions in order to understand transactions
• Strong commercial mindset
• Self-motivated, pro-active and hardworking nature
• Positive, people led mindset and inclusive way of working 

Why you’ll want to work for us   

Our company is a place where you can be yourself and grow, a place where your ideas and opinions matter.

Be you: We pride ourselves on being an inclusive community, where every individual is valued and treated with respect.

Be responsible: Our culture is driven by our core values – from operating safely to ensuring our projects are responsible.

Be recognized: Alongside a competitive salary, we offer a variety of benefits including annual bonus, retention bank, health insurance, pension and other local benefits.

Be inspired: Beyond your day-to-day working life at Lightsource bp, there’s a variety of initiatives that will contribute to your own personal development. These include our charitable causes, supporting our solar honey project, or volunteering on our VIBES committee to name a few.

Our core values: Lightsource bp truly cares about creating a sustainable future through safe, responsible and meaningful low carbon energy projects. Our core values of Safety, Integrity, Respect, Sustainability and Drive are the guiding principles for everything we do.

For further information on our career opportunities and life at Lightsource bp, please visit https://www.lightsourcebp.com/careers/