AUDIT MANAGER / ASSISTANT MANAGER

Our ideal candidate will have had experience of managing client relationships, specifically in leading audits from the planning stage right through to the completion stage including supervising junior members of staff within an audit team. This role will be client facing, with some time spent at client sites. You will need to show willingness to work as part of a team and be able to meet deadlines, working closely with the Head of Audit on departmental and firm-wide projects.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee audit assignments from start to finish, managing teams of up to 5 staff to meet reporting deadlines and client agreed deadlines.
• Prepare or review an audit risk analysis specific to the client with reference to the client’s activity in the year, the industry in which they operate, regulatory environments if applicable, and any other matters which may impact audit risk.
• Prepare or review preliminary analytical procedures on the draft accounts and identify how we plan to test the various audit assertions. Review materiality and sample sizes calculated.
• Ensure that the planning section of Audit Automation reflects all planning considerations and discussions, and is appropriately signed off.
• Ensure that results and conclusions of audit work are documented in Audit Automation fieldwork section, and is fully signed off.
• Review the completed accounts and ensure compliance with all necessary disclosures as required by accounting standards, including completion of a disclosure checklist where considered necessary (most commonly under FRS 102).
• Review / list out any adjustments and unadjusted journals separately during the course of the audit, to be provided to the client once the assignment has come to its conclusion.
• Prepare a list of points for clients and Head of Audit to highlight key issues or matters identified during the accounting and audit process.
• Research accounting or tax issues as and when required, and document the research with references.
• Review current processes and provide recommendations to enhance client policies and procedures to be included in reports to management, and able to discuss these with the client.
• Ensure Audit Automation completion section has been fully completed and signed off.
• Liaise with tax department around the collection of information on tax-sensitive categories, and regarding a draft CT provision for the accounts.
• Liaise with Business Services department in relation to completion of accounts including reviewing the completed accounts and ensuring compliance with all necessary disclosures as required by accounting standards plus ensuring amendments are appropriately processed.
• Prepare or review consolidation workings where appropriate.
• Completion of internal and ad hoc processes as required including meetings, inductions, diary management, budget preparation and management, billing etc.
• Monitoring of departmental performance including client wins / losses, billing, forecasting, assignment recoveries.
• Involvement in client tendering processes including drafting and finalisation of proposal documents, introductory meetings and presentations.
• Liaising with group auditors and delivery of group reporting requirements where necessary.
• Management of audit staff including training and development of the team, recruitment, appraisals and other HR processes.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS (DESIRABLE)

• Existing knowledge of CCH practice management software for accounts / audit
• Able to use complex Excel functions
• Specialist expertise of accounting/audit areas and/or industries
• UK taxation knowledge
• Client tendering and onboarding experience

ESSENTIAL SKILLS

• Exemplary audit knowledge and experience
• Flexible work attitude, pro-active team player;
• Ability to work well under pressure and adhere to tight deadlines;
• Able to learn and pick things up fast;
• Familiarity with/awareness of the laws, regulations and obligations applicable to accounting and audit for compliance
• Good interpersonal skills;
• Good telephone manner and communication skills.
• Ability to prioritise, communicate and manage expectations.
• Commercial awareness.
• Experience in team and staff management

BENEFITS

• Competitive salary
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Death in service
• Up to 5% employers pension contribution
• Professional development and training opportunities
• Training and experience in using technology for audit automation and process efficiency. Our forward-thinking team aspires to use increasingly sophisticated technology and data analytics to further improve the quality of auditing techniques applied. This is in-line with our ethos to continually identify ways to help our clients to do things better.
• Cycle to work scheme
• Free on-site parking at Parsons offices
• Employee Assistance Programme: comprehensive telephone helpline available 24/7 offering medical, legal (not work related), financial and emotional support, advice and information.
• Reward and recognition programme: exclusive discounts and offers on thousands of products and services from over 1,500 national and 6,000 local retailers, plus reward credits linked to performance in your role, on your birthday and for other worthy reasons such as long service.