UK Tax Controller - 6 month contract

A leading global financial services organisation is seeking a highly skilled UK Tax Controller to join their London-based team on a temporary six-month contract. This pivotal role offers you the chance to take ownership of the UK direct tax compliance and reporting processes during a period of significant transformation, including the transition to a new Big 4 service provider and the implementation of BEPS Pillar 2 requirements.

UK Tax Controller

Salary: Competitive and based on experience

Location: London

Keywords: UK direct tax, tax compliance, outsourced relationships, BEPS Pillar 2, governance frameworks, Big 4 service provider, stakeholder management, cross-border coordination, process improvement, financial services

A leading global financial services organisation is seeking a highly skilled UK Tax Controller to join their London-based team on a temporary six-month contract. This pivotal role offers you the chance to take ownership of the UK direct tax compliance and reporting processes during a period of significant transformation, including the transition to a new Big 4 service provider and the implementation of BEPS Pillar 2 requirements. You will be at the heart of strategic change, working closely with technical experts across EMEA and collaborating with global colleagues to enhance the tax operating model and governance framework. The organisation is renowned for its inclusive culture, commitment to professional development, and support for flexible working arrangements, making this an exceptional opportunity for an experienced tax professional looking to make a meaningful impact in a supportive and forward-thinking environment.

• Play a key role in managing UK direct tax compliance and reporting processes during a critical period of organisational change, ensuring accuracy and continuity throughout.
• Collaborate with expert teams across EMEA and globally, supporting major initiatives such as transitioning to a new Big 4 service provider and implementing BEPS Pillar 2 requirements.
• Benefit from an inclusive workplace that values diversity, encourages knowledge sharing, and supports your ongoing professional growth through training opportunities and flexible working options.

What you'll do:

As a UK Tax Controller within this respected financial services group, you will play an instrumental role in shaping the future of the organisation’s tax function during a time of significant change. Your expertise will be crucial in managing outsourced relationships for UK direct tax compliance while supporting strategic initiatives such as transitioning to a new Big 4 service provider and implementing BEPS Pillar 2 requirements. You will work collaboratively with technical experts across EMEA as well as global colleagues to review governance frameworks, provide technical guidance on complex issues, manage interactions with HMRC, and contribute to process improvements. Your ability to balance multiple priorities while maintaining meticulous attention to detail will ensure success in this role. By fostering strong connections within the team and across departments, you will help drive best practices in tax compliance while supporting broader organisational goals.

• Oversee all aspects of UK direct tax compliance and reporting processes, ensuring timely and accurate completion of statutory and quarterly obligations in collaboration with outsourced Big 4 providers.
• Manage the day-to-day relationship with external auditors and service providers, maintaining high standards of quality and continuity during the transition to a new Big 4 partner.
• Review, refine, and enhance existing tax operating models and governance frameworks to ensure robust controls are in place across all UK tax activities.
• Support the local implementation of BEPS Pillar 2 requirements by working closely with both local and global tax teams to ensure full compliance with evolving regulations.
• Provide expert technical advice on UK direct tax matters to internal stakeholders, offering guidance that supports business objectives while mitigating risk.
• Ensure all UK corporate tax returns, computations, and supporting documentation are completed accurately and submitted within required deadlines.
• Manage communications with HMRC, handling enquiries or disputes efficiently while maintaining positive relationships with regulatory bodies.
• Contribute to quarterly and annual tax provisioning processes by reviewing calculations, supporting documentation, and ensuring alignment with accounting standards such as IFRS and US GAAP.
• Collaborate on cross-border tax matters with global colleagues, participating in international initiatives that drive process improvements across jurisdictions.
• Assist with ad-hoc projects, technical research assignments, process documentation updates, and other tasks as required by the evolving needs of the department.

What you bring:

To excel as a UK Tax Controller in this dynamic environment, you will bring extensive hands-on experience managing complex UK direct tax compliance processes—ideally gained within financial services or another highly regulated sector. Your background should include deep familiarity with designing or refining governance frameworks that support effective risk management. A relevant professional qualification such as ACA or CTA will underpin your technical authority. You will have demonstrated your ability to manage outsourced relationships—particularly with Big 4 firms—and possess strong stakeholder engagement skills that foster collaboration across diverse teams. Experience navigating both IFRS and US GAAP environments is important for aligning local practices with global standards. Your approach should be methodical yet adaptable; you thrive when balancing competing priorities under tight deadlines while maintaining accuracy. Exposure to cross-border coordination or international project work will further strengthen your candidacy. Above all, your interpersonal skills—marked by empathy, clear communication, reliability, and a collaborative spirit—will enable you to build lasting connections within the team while driving continuous improvement.

• Significant experience in UK direct tax compliance within financial services or a similarly regulated industry is essential for success in this position.
• Demonstrated understanding of robust tax operating models and governance frameworks that underpin effective risk management.
• Proven track record managing outsourced relationships with Big 4 firms or equivalent large-scale service providers for tax compliance functions.
• Relevant professional qualification such as ACA or CTA (or equivalent) is required to demonstrate your technical proficiency.
• Familiarity with both IFRS and US GAAP accounting standards as they relate to corporate taxation is highly desirable.
• Exceptional communication skills enabling you to build trust-based relationships with stakeholders at all levels internally and externally.
• Experience utilising tax technology platforms or contributing to process improvement initiatives within complex organisations is advantageous.
• Ability to work dependably under pressure while managing multiple priorities independently without compromising quality or deadlines.
• Previous involvement in cross-border coordination or working within global teams adds valuable perspective for this international environment.
• Project management experience or prior participation in transitions between service providers would be beneficial but not mandatory.

What sets this company apart:

This organisation stands out for its unwavering commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace where every individual feels valued and empowered. With operations spanning over 30 countries, it brings together people from diverse backgrounds who share knowledge freely in pursuit of common goals. The company actively promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion—not only reflecting the communities it serves but also creating an environment where everyone can thrive regardless of age, disability status, gender identity or expression, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. Employees benefit from flexible working opportunities designed to support work-life balance alongside generous training programmes that encourage ongoing professional development. The leadership team is dedicated to nurturing talent through supportive mentorships while championing psychological safety so all voices are heard. If you are seeking an employer that prioritises wellbeing alongside career progression—and where your contributions truly matter—this is an outstanding place to advance your career.

What's next:

If you are ready to make a meaningful impact during an exciting period of transformation in one of London’s most respected financial institutions, we encourage you to take the next step today.

Apply today by clicking on the link provided—your expertise could shape the future of this leading organisation’s tax function.

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