60 seconds with Kim Mauleverer
Brewer Morris Director, Dalia Jennings, recently interviewed Kim Mauleverer, an experienced VAT professional, about her career experience and what attracted her to VAT.
1. Tell us about you and your career to date
I started my career as a graduate at one of the Big 4 in Melbourne, Australia in 2000 – The year the GST was introduced. I moved to the UK in 2003 and spent two years working in the Indirect Tax Team at a Financial Services firm before moving to a large Management Consulting firm. I then took some time out to look after my three young children before returning to Indirect Tax in a variety of Interim roles.
2. What attracted you to a career in VAT?
To be honest, I kind of just fell into it! I was studying a Bachelor of Commerce with majors in Accounting and Finance. In the final year, everyone on my course was applying for graduate positions so I figured I should do the same. At that stage, I really hadn’t thought too much about career choices. I was lucky enough to be offered a place at my first choice and they asked me to select a department – Tax, Audit etc. The GST was being introduced in Australia that year and thinking they won’t be short of work, I selected the Indirect Tax team. I loved every minute – we worked and studied incredibly hard, and I met some wonderful lifelong friends.
3. Why did you choose to do interim work?
With three young children at home, and a desire to get back to work, part-time interim roles offered me the perfect solution. Many people find starting a new job daunting but I enjoy learning about new businesses and meeting new people. Each business is very different, but I can use my hands-on commercial experience from the various industries I have worked in and make a real difference.
4. What are the benefits of working on a contract basis?
Work-Life balance is extremely important to me and Interim work offers me the best of both worlds. The work is varied and there are always different projects to work on or problems to help solve. I work hard on my contracted days and my family get my undivided attention on the days that I don’t work.
5. What are the key drivers of the VAT market at the moment?
Change. The VAT world is constantly changing meaning there is no shortage of work out there!
6. How do you see the role of the tax/VAT professional changing over the next 12-18 months
I really feel that the interim Indirect Tax market is going to boom. Brexit, MTD, Digitalisation of reporting, distance sales, ERP system implementation, and e-invoicing are increasing the demand for VAT specialists to work on a more short-term project basis. VAT compliance is becoming more automated, and as more organisations outsource their VAT Compliance, there is an increased need for Indirect Tax Specialists to see the bigger picture and add value.
If you would like further information on the VAT market, please feel free to contact Dalia Jennings or Amy Thomas (Interim) or Mo Hanslod (permanent).
