URBN Assistant Indirect Tax, Urban Outfitters Europe
Office located in Brick Lane, London
Lifestyle retailer
Be an early applicant
Lifestyle retailer
201-500 employees
Be an early applicant
Office located in Brick Lane, London
201-500 employees
Company mission
To bring together nostalgia for the past with an enthusiasm to shape the future.
Role
Who you are
- A proven track record of meeting tight deadlines, great organizational skills and attention to detail
- Strong VAT compliance experience (preferably including the preparation of EU VAT returns as well as UK)
- An understanding of the basic VAT principles underpinning VAT regimes in the UK and the EU (for example, the reverse charge mechanism)
- The ability to effectively analyse and manipulate data using Microsoft Excel
- Proficient use of other MS programs such as Outlook, Word etc
- A positive, proactive attitude to learning, solving problems and working as a team
- Willingness expand your VAT knowledge and learn about other areas of finance to apply to your day-to-day role
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
What the job involves
- As Tax Assistant, you’ll be working with the tax team which sits within our Shared Services Finance function located in our European Head Office in London
- This team is currently responsible for the whole group’s UK and EU VAT compliance and files indirect tax returns in other jurisdictions, including Norway and Australia
- We are passionate about all things tax and work together and with the rest of the finance team as well as the tax team based in the US to make our processes as efficient as possible while producing compliant, high-quality outputs
- With a strong growth forecast across the UK and mainland Europe driven by strong direct demand and retail expansion, our European tax function is evolving in response to this trajectory
- As Tax Assistant, your role will be initially focussed on VAT and indirect taxes, however there will be opportunities to be involved in other tax disciplines as we respond to business needs
- Coordinating the periodic VAT compliance calendar, ensuring trackers and documentation are updated and accurate
- Preparing UK and EU VAT returns, including downloading and analysing source data and ensuring transactions are reported correctly in each country
- Preparing other periodic filings including Intrastat returns, EC Sales Lists and Plastic Packaging Tax returns
- Ensuring VAT payments are made in a timely manner
- Supporting the team with the month-end VAT process, including posting journals, analysing data using MS Excel and preparing balance sheet reconciliations for review by the Indirect Tax Manager
- Preparing responses to ad-hoc queries or information requests from UK and EU tax authorities, with the assistance of our VAT compliance service providers where required
- Helping prepare data and information to respond to queries from auditors where required
- Involvement in VAT compliance optimisation projects, collaborating with our Tax and IT colleagues based in the US to automate processes and respond to changes in digital reporting requirements
- Working alongside the team to assist with ad-hoc projects supporting the wider business which include, but are not limited to, expansion into new markets, engaging new carriers, implementing and optimising delivery models
- Keeping abreast of updates and developments to indirect tax regulatory and policy changes, relevant VAT case law and upcoming indirect tax proposals and initiatives in the UK and the EU
Salary benchmarks
Our take
Urban Outfitters started out in the 1970s as a quirky little boutique in Philadelphia with a love for creativity and self-expression. More than 50 years later, it's grown into a globally recognised brand, but it hasn't forgotten where it came from.
It's known for its knack of catching (and keeping) attention with its unique mix of clothing, homeware, and vintage treasures. It connects with a community of over 10M shoppers and is always staying ahead of the trends.
While the brand might feel like an old favourite, it's far from slowing down. It just posted record earnings, with $143.9M in profit for Q2 2025 and strong growth across all its brands (including its sister companies Anthropologie, Free People, FP Movement, and Nuuly). New stores are opening and digital sales are booming, the brand has truly proven itself to be a powerhouse in the retail space.
Steph
Company Specialist at Welcome to the Jungle
Insights
Company
Company benefits
- Employee discount: Shop your fave brands for less
- Pension: Like to think ahead? We've got you
- Private medical insurance: Your health is important to us
- Birthday break: Take some time to celebrate you
- Career development: Grow at UO
- Volunteering time: Give back to your community
Company HQ
Spitalfields, London, UK
Leadership
Emma Wisden
(Managing Director)Emma has been the Managing Director of Urban Outfitters Europe since 2015. Prior to that, she spent 15 years at Topshop as a Fashion Director.
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