Tax Manager
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 14, 2026. First seen by Alion on Aug 25, 2026. Zopa scores A on the Alion truth index.
We are looking for a Tax Managerto join Zopa's Financial Control team, taking ownership of all aspects of UK tax across one of the UK's fastest-growing neobanks.
As Tax Manager, and as the first tax hire within the team, you'll be responsible for owning all aspects of Zopa's UK tax compliance and reporting, ensuring the business meets its statutory obligations while maintaining a strong tax control framework. You'll be the subject matter expert for UK taxation, partnering with teams across Finance and the wider business to provide practical tax advice and ensure tax considerations are embedded into business decisions.
You'll work closely with our external tax advisers where appropriate, while taking ownership of our in-house tax processes and continuously improving the efficiency, governance and automation of our tax reporting.
A day in the life:
Own the preparation and submission of the annual UK Corporation Tax returns and VAT returns for all Zopa entities, working with external advisers where required.
Own and manage all other applicable UK tax filings such as CT61 returns, Stamp Duty Reserve taxes.
Manage the preparation and submission of UK R&D tax relief with the support of external advisers; being the main point of contact for our Product teams inputting into the R&D claims.
Act as the primary point of contact for HMRC, managing enquiries, correspondence and tax compliance matters.
Identify opportunities to improve key tax processes through automation, standardisation and enhanced controls.
Support the preparation and submission of the annual Senior Accounting Officer (SAO) certification and maintain an appropriate control framework and policies.
Own and maintain the Group's tax risk register, ensuring ongoing and emerging tax risks are appropriately identified, documented and mitigated.
Support the year-end audit process by preparing tax disclosures, tax provisions and responding to auditor queries.
Provide tax advice and support (utilising tax advisors where appropriate) to Finance, Product, Treasury, Legal and other teams on new products, transactions and commercial initiatives.
Build relationships with other business functions, appropriate tax authorities, and professional advisory firms to identify our needs and priorities and undertake appropriate tax planning.
Monitor changes in UK tax legislation and assess their impact on the business, ensuring timely implementation where required.
Be an engaged, pragmatic and pro-active member of the financial control team, helping to make tax more accessible and understood across the wider business- including providing training to teams where appropriate.
About you:
ACA, ACCA and/or CTA qualified (or equivalent).
Strong experience managing UK corporate tax compliance within financial services or banking.
Experience preparing UK Corporation Tax returns and VAT returns.
Good understanding of UK direct and indirect tax legislation, including Corporation Tax, VAT, CT61, SDRT and R&D tax relief.
Experience supporting Senior Accounting Officer (SAO) obligations and tax governance frameworks.
Excellent analytical skills and strong attention to detail.
Strong Excel skills and confidence working with large datasets.
Experience working with HMRC and managing external advisers.
Comfortable working independently and taking ownership of all aspects of tax compliance.
A continuous improvement mindset, with an interest in leveraging technology and AI to improve tax processes and controls.
Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to explain complex tax matters to non-tax audiences.
Bonus points for:
Experience with preparing VAT returns within ERP systems such as SAP
Experience implementing tax process improvements or finance transformation initiatives.
Exposure to transfer pricing or international tax would be advantageous, although not essential.