VAT Compliance Specialist

We are expanding our tax team and seeking a seasoned VAT Compliance Specialist to ensure our tax compliance across Europe. If you thrive in a fast-paced, multicultural environment and enjoy problem-solving, this role is for you!

This is your daily Action

As a VAT Compliance Specialist, you will be responsible for ensuring timely and accurate VAT filings across Europe, reconciling VAT accounts, and liaising with tax authorities and internal stakeholders. You will play a key role in identifying and mitigating VAT risks while working collaboratively with cross-functional teams and external advisors. You will report directly to the Indirect Tax Manager and work as part of a collaborative team of four VAT compliance specialists.

Key Responsibilities:

• Prepare and submit VAT returns and related filings across Europe in a timely and accurate manner.
• Extract and analyze SAP data to support VAT compliance activities.
• Perform reconciliations of VAT balance sheet accounts and investigate discrepancies.
• Identify potential VAT risks and report issues along with proposed solutions.
• Monitor tax payments and ensure timely receipt of VAT refunds.
• Coordinate with third-party tax advisors across multiple jurisdictions.
• Collaborate with Accounts Payable (AP), Accounts Receivable (AR), and other internal departments.
• Assist in VAT audits and support foreign VAT reclaims.

Meet your team

As tax team we ensure that in all current and upcoming countries Action is tax compliant. Our team consists of a head of tax and 5 tax managers operating from our HQ in Zwaagdijk-Oost who each have their own domain: corporate income tax, wage taxes, VAT, product taxes and tax technology. For VAT and product taxes we also have in our HQ in total 9 compliance specialists that primarily prepare and submit tax declarations and make sure these taxes are paid on time. We work closely with our colleagues from Finance and other departments such as HR, Commerce, Supply Chain and IT by providing tax requirements, reviewing tax controls and by answering questions. Besides our internal stakeholders we work closely with tax advisors in all countries, further develop our tax control framework and manage tax audits initiated by tax authorities.

This is you

• At least 5 years of experience as an accountant and/or within a company’s financial administration. Experience with VAT compliance is a plus. 
• Knowledge of EU VAT rules is a plus. 
• Good command of Excel. Experience with SAP is preferred.
• Excellent communication skills in English (written and verbal); an additional European language is a plus.
• Analytical and detail-oriented, with a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Strong relationship-building skills and a collaborative mindset.
• Culturally aware and experienced in working within diverse international teams.
• Self-motivated, hands-on, and eager to learn in a dynamic environment.

What we offer

Quite a lot, actually! From our bustling headquarters in the Netherlands, you'll have an impact across the whole of Europe. We're now up to more than 3.000 stores in 14 countries and millions of smiles from our customers – and we're not stopping there, because we have big growth ambitions for both Action and you. Our growth means you can always take new steps to develop as a professional, whether that means a different position, an interesting innovation project or new skills. And you can do all that in a culture where we truly live our shared values: customer focus, teamwork, simplicity, discipline, cost-consciousness and respect.

You can also count on Action for the following:

• A market-driven salary offering based on a 38-hour work week 
• 24 days' holiday with the option to buy five additional days (based on 38 hours per week) 
• An annual bonus based on achieving company and personal targets
• The option to spend up to 40% of your hours working from home (in coordination with your team and manager)
• 15% staff discount on your purchases at Action 
• A good pension scheme, collective health insurance and travel allowance (Zwaagdijk-Oost is reachable from Amsterdam by car in just 30 minutes on uncongested roads).

How we contribute to society

If you only know Action from the stores, a world will open up for you when you join us. For example, we are working hard behind the scenes to make a positive impact on society and the environment. Did you know, for example, that we sponsor more than 2,000 children worldwide who are growing up in an SOS Children’s Village? That our team reflects the diversity of our customers, including 161 nationalities? That we already source 70% of our wood products and 86% of our cotton sustainably? And that only energy-efficient LED lighting is used in more than half of our stores? Yes, that is also Action. Curious about what other initiatives we’re facilitating? Join our team and find out for yourself. 

Interested?

We are proud to be an inclusive employer, and we warmly invite anyone who recognizes themselves in the vacancy to apply. So take action and respond to this vacancy now!

What happens next:

1. Response to your application within 14 days (and usually earlier)
2. First meeting with the manager and a colleague
3. Online assessment to get to know you better
4. Second interview with your recruiter, among others
5. Welcome to Action…