VAT Officer

Introduction

VAT officers are responsible for the collection of VAT (Value Added Tax) for the government. They visit large and small businesses to check VAT accounts. 'Indoor' officers answer enquiries and give advice to traders about VAT regulations.

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Work Activities

VAT officers visit businesses to make sure that their VAT records are up-to-date. They also check that amounts claimed from, or paid to the government, are correct. The government adds VAT to the price of certain goods and services.

Each officer is responsible for monitoring businesses within a particular geographical area. All traders who make over a certain amount of money have to be 'VAT registered', unless their goods are free from VAT. This means that the VAT officer's caseload includes a wide variety of businesses, ranging from the self-employed sole trader to national organisations.

Officers visit about four companies a week. Each case may take anything from several hours to several days, depending on the complexity of the business.

VAT officers examine VAT records, question the trader and watch business activity. They do this to make sure that the records the trader gives them are correct and up-to-date. If the VAT officer cannot interview the trader during business hours, he or she may have to arrange an evening appointment.

When they return to the office, VAT officers have to summarise each visit in a report. VAT officers might adjust VAT amounts after a visit. They must also explain the decision. They may advise on the VAT rules and suggest improvements.

Occasionally, a VAT officer needs to give evidence at a prosecution. Officers working in the 'indoor section' answer public enquiries by telephone, letter or in person.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

As a customs officer who deals with VAT, you must have good communication skills to relate well to a very broad range of people. You must enjoy meeting people who work in many different types of career, and have the confidence to visit them at their business premises.

The ability to remain calm is very useful; you may encounter people who are angry or upset, so you must be able to defuse potential confrontations by using a calm and professional manner.

Strong numerical skills are very important. You will need a patient, thorough and methodical approach to checking figures and procedures. VAT officers have a caseload of businesses, so you must be able to organise and prioritise your work.

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Pay and Opportunities

Salaries vary, depending on role and responsibilities.

The pay rates given below are approximate.

VAT officers earn in the range of £19,500 - £29,000 a year, rising to around £24,500 - £35,500 a year. Senior officers earn around £32,000 - £41,000 a year. Fast Stream entrant salaries start from around £24,000 a year, rising to around £39,000 after four years.

You will usually work a 42-hour week, based around nine to five, Monday to Friday.

About 95,000 people work for HM Revenue and Customs, in more than 290 locations throughout the UK. Competition for all posts is fierce.

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Adult Opportunities

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

If you do not have the academic entry requirements to enter at job band two (2 Standard Grades at 1-3 including English), you may be able to take a test instead. This option will be mentioned on the advertisement if it is available.

Many regions only recruit at job band two, so entrants would need to work their way up to job bands five/six. 28% of people in occupations such as VAT officer have flexible hours.

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