Please note this event is now being presented as a series of 4 webinars:

Dates: 2nd April 2020 x 2 and 7 April x 2 (please note that recordings of the webinars will be available for all delegates, including those who could not attend live).

We have now arranged the dates and topics for the webinars that will replace the classroom based Introduction to VAT in HE course as follows:

Thurs, 2 April 11am-12:30/1pm - Part 1:  VAT in Context – this builds on the Introducing VAT in HE e-learning course that you should have completed (see below for more details), and goes deeper into the implications of being an education provider and being a charity, as well as adding the context of Brexit

Thurs, 2 April 2pm-3:30/4pm - Part 2: Income areas outside of Education – this will look at other common income sources e.g. Sports, Research and Grants v Contracts aspects

Tues, 7 April 11am-12:30/1pm - Part 3: Core VAT Processes – this will look at the internal structure issues, including Making Tax Digital, partial exemption, collaborative working, and also a reminder of the penalty regime

Tues, 7 April 2pm-3:30/4pm - Part 4: International, Property and Construction – this will include a brief insight into these two of  areas of more complex VAT to provide an overview

Remember – we will send you a link to a recording of each webinar afterwards so even if you are unable to attend live you will still have access to the content. However, it would be great to have as many of you at the live webinars as possible, particularly so your questions can be addressed. You can ask questions throughout each webinar which can be sorted during the webinar and answered at the end, but please do not ask all the questions at the very end, as it becomes impossible to manage sorting the questions and answering them at the same time! Also, please let us know if you have any specific questions about the different topics/sections listed above, and we can cover these during the webinars/or in the questions at the end (it is helpful to receive your questions in advance so the presenter can prepare for them) - please send these to Amanda, copied to Andrea and indicate which part they relate to i.e. 1, 2, 3, 4.

Don’t forget to complete the Introducing VAT in HE e-learning course if you haven’t already, which you can access as long as you have an internet connection, so should be fine even if you are working from home (you don’t need to be using your university’s VPN etc.).

Pre-requisite e-learning: The Introducing VAT in HE e-learning module provides an overview of how VAT applies specifically in the higher education sector but is not intended to be a fully comprehensive guide. It is largely aimed at those in universities who need a broad and high level understanding of various aspects of HE VAT, such as departmental/school administrators, rather than a detailed knowledge. As such it is a great foundation for the more in-depth classroom course.

Intended Audience: The webinar is aimed at VAT/Tax Managers and other finance professionals who are responsible for completing a university VAT return, providing internal VAT advice in a university, and/or working with professional advisers on university projects. Anyone new to the HE sector and working on VAT issues would benefit.

Cost: £300 per delegate, inc. VAT. (Or £350, inc. VAT, for delegates from HEIs that don’t subscribe to BUFDG Pro).

Presenters: Liz Maher and Louise Gray are both Directors of Centurion VAT Specialists, formed in 1998 as a VAT Advisory service by the then University of Wales, Newport. The aim then, as now, was to ensure the university sector could access expertise in VAT specifically experienced in education and thus broaden the choice available for the sector. Such has been the success of this model that the team has grown to five experienced VAT personnel, broadened its geographical reach and client base - universities, FE Colleges, housing associations, local authorities and the corporate sector all now access their support.

Formerly an HMCE VAT Inspector and indirect tax director with Ernst & Young, Liz Maher, with 35 years’ VAT experience, joined Centurion in 2002, becoming a director in 2007 when Centurion became an independent firm. A regular VAT speaker at events for the ICAEW, ACCA, AAT and Orca Law, Liz has also presented sessions at the last three BUFDG tax conferences. Liz has an ability to convey VAT knowledge in a practical, informative and engaging way, ensuring course delegates really do benefit. Liz’s co-presenter, Louise Gray leads on all aspects of VAT support required by Centurion’s education clients. Her career in VAT began in 1987 in HMCE, and she was formerly a senior consultant with Ernst & Young in the UK, with a stint overseas in Australia, so she has a wealth of practical VAT experience to support the sector. Louise’s specialism in education is complemented by a wider public sector VAT knowledge, including local authorities.