Summary

At HMRC we are committed to creating a great place to work for all our colleagues; an inclusive and respectful environment that reflects the diversity of the society we serve.

We want to maximise the potential of everyone who chooses to work for us and we offer a range of flexible working patterns and support to make a fulfilling career at HMRC accessible to you.

Diverse perspectives and experiences are critical to our success and we welcome applications from all people from all backgrounds with the experience and skills needed to perform this role.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is one of the largest Government Departments and one of the country's biggest organisations. Almost every individual and business in the UK is a direct customer of HMRC. We collect in excess of £500 billion a year in revenue from over 50 million customers across the UK.

We are an effective, efficient and impartial tax and payments authority with a vital purpose: to collect the money that pays for the UK's public services and help families and individuals with targeted financial support. We have embarked on a major transformational Programme to redirect more of our people and resources to compliance activities, modernising systems and re-engineering processes to become more customer-focused.

Wealthy and Mid-sized Business Compliance (WMBC) is responsible for the tax affairs of customer groups including the UK's wealthiest individuals, mid-sized businesses, public bodies and charities as well as specific tax regimes such as Inheritance Tax and Research and Development tax reliefs.

As an Individual Savings Account (ISA) Assurance Officer in WMBC Assets you will work as part of a team which carries out reviews to make sure that ISA providers are meeting their obligations under the ISA regulations. The ISA Audit team is part of Pensions & Savings within WMBC Assets.

Job description

We are looking for people with energy and enthusiasm to lead and support resolving tax disputes ranging from customer error through to avoidance, evasion and criminal attack.

You will work as part of a multi graded compliance team, where you will be provided with training to assist ISA Assurance Higher Officers in planning and carrying out audit inspections to ensure that ISA managers have met their obligations under the ISA regulations. 

You will be fully trained to review ISA managers, check calculations and the amounts due to be paid to HMRC and carry out sample checks on individual ISAs. You will conduct desk-based research in advance of the audit and issue information notices as required. Audits may be carried out remotely from the office or in person at the premises of the ISA manager.

You will work with a wide range of internal & external stakeholders including HMRC colleagues and ISA managers.

You will also contribute to the continuous development and improvement of our business as well as supporting the capability of your colleagues.

There will be a requirement for you to learn and understand aspects of tax legislation and use this knowledge accurately and effectively to inform your decision making.

The role may require travel and overnight stays, although this is not expected to be frequent.

Responsibilities

Tasks will include:

• Undertaking assurance inspections of ISA managers.
• Reading and interpreting legislation.
• Analysing information from various sources to identify trends or contradictions.
• Attending face to face meetings where required and communicating and responding to ISA manager queries, addressing issues of non-compliance and negotiating and agreeing contract settlements.
• Drafting referrals for technical advice, appealable decisions and referrals for statutory independent review.
• Proactive use of HMRC's regulatory powers & deterrents in order to formally progress and resolves contentious tax disputes.
• Discussions with customers and their professional representatives to understand their perspectives whilst explaining HMRC's position and the underlying basis that supports it.

Essential criteria

As an ISA Assurance Officer, you will play a key role in the way we operate across the entire business area. You are required to demonstrate experience of the following within your application:

• Flexibility adapting to changes of priority and undertaking a variety of work as required.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with both colleagues and customers creating and developing positive professional relationships.
• The ability to make robust evidence-based decisions by analysing information from a range of different sources.
• Engaging effectively with colleagues across the team and wider business to deliver agreed objectives.
• Have Maths and English qualifications grade C or above or equivalent.

There will be a requirement for you to learn and understand aspects of tax legislation and use this knowledge accurately and effectively to inform your decision making.

Desirable Criteria

It is desirable, but not essential for the successful candidates to be able to demonstrate:

• Experience of risking and/or compliance casework
• Knowledge of Pensions and/or Savings Tax legislation.

Qualifications

Maths and English qualifications grade C or above or equivalent

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Making Effective Decisions

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
•  A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension

Team members that are moving offices as a result of the Locations Programme will be entitled to a Moves Adjustment Payment for three years where they incur additional costs. This is calculated based on the difference between the costs of travelling to and from the new and old office, over a weekly period. You will get more detail on this as part of targeted locations move communications.

Apply before 11:55 pm on Thursday 27th January 2022