Our client, a Fast Growing Accounting Firm, is looking for a Technical Audit Director to join their growing team.
26th April, 2022
Job Purpose:
To oversee the delivery of the Audit function workflow and, acting in the capacity of a formally approved ‘Responsible Individual’, to directly manage a portfolio of Audit client relationships. To provide high levels of technical specialism to clients directly and to internal client partners/managers. To ensure provision of a high quality client service experience for all Audit clients whilst ensuring adherence to individual job budgets and maximum fee recovery.
Scope/Reach & Key Relationships
Departmental functional responsibility
Technical specialist supporting for internal and external needs
Some business plan ownership & input
Own client portfolio/contacts for ongoing management and development
Partners and employees who are key stakeholders in audit work across the SL
Formal people management responsibility for Audit senior managers/managers where appropriate(see separate people manager job spec document)
Government bodies and external organizations such as HMRC and ICAEW
Principal Accountabilities / Responsibilities:
Job/Workflow & Technical Management
Act as a primary technical specialist for Audit related work for both own and others’ clients, as well as internally for other firm people requiring technical input
Oversee the planning, prioritizing, resourcing and allocation of all relevant client audit work ensuring effective manager team workflow
Oversee & ensure departmental adherence to scoping and budgeting processes for all client audit work
Ensure a departmental culture of full agreement of fees for client work prior to it being undertaken
Ensure all client audit work is managed within budget in line with The Firm Way standards of performance document (in particular The Life of an Audit)
Oversee the monitoring of work progress and ensure appropriate levels of communication with all clients and internal stakeholders on jobs progress
Ensure SL wide preparation of bills for Audit work done and ensure timely sending to client
Sign off and authorization of documents/accounts/returns where legally acceptable
Client, Internal and External Organizational Contact
Manage, support and develop a significant client portfolio, ensuring the maximizing of client advocacy and fee levels from own portfolio with audit report sign off responsibility
Ensure sufficient departmental contact resource is available for clients, firm personnel and external organizations with self and team members as appropriate
Ensure overall provision for high levels of client service is in place across the Audit SL
Provide appropriate access and support for other internal departments to Audit clients so as to assist the cross selling of services into the Audit client base
Leadership, People Management and Development
Ensure the defining and agreeing of formal objectives for all direct reports in line with the Audit SL business plan
Monitor individual and team performance versus original objectives and departmental KPIs
Provide regular feedback to all direct reports on their performance via ‘1:1’ meetings
Conduct regular assessments of each direct report’s competence, motivation and required support and resources and where ‘gaps’ versus the job specification are observed, take specific action to rectify via the creation of a personal development plan
Provide support at internal & external interviews for team members at senior manager level and below
Internal Financial Management & Business Planning
Provide technical input as required into the strategic direction of the Audit service line and the overall Audit SL annual business plan
Own and manage SL financial performance and business plan KPIs. Agree and brief SL targets, monitor performance and ensure monthly KPIs report is available to direct reports
Instigate appropriate action through manager team in response to above performance outcomes
New Business Development
Continue to build own network of intermediaries, seek to generate referrals from own client base and convert prospects into new clients
Support the Audit SL in delivering the required new leads and SL incremental fee target via networking, meeting attendance, business pitches & presenting at webinars
Develop suitably strong internal firms connections such that access and support are given by all other internal departments to their own client bases.
Values – Demonstrates ‘living’ of the company’s values.
Understand - Be curious, ask more & listen. Put yourself in the other person’s shoes.
Look Ahead - Anticipate the future, plan for it, and embrace the benefits of change.
Make it Personal - Adapt to others’ needs, flex your style to get the best outcome for every situation.
Be Crystal Clear - Consult others, give helpful feedback; ensure people know what’s going on, and how it impacts on them.
Be Human - Invest time in building strong relationships, have a positive ‘can do’ attitude and help others to grow.
We are looking for someone with significant technical expertise and experience of auditing listed clients and PIEs. The successful candidate will be able to display:
Experience of dealing with QAD and FRC reviews
Willingness and ability to run Firm wide training responsibilities in respect of IFRS and PIE audits
Ability to draft high-level technical articles to assist with internal training and external Business Development
Have existing links into ICAEW groups/forums to influence direction of travel in financial reporting and auditing or willingness to become involved
Experience of managing high quality technical audits of PIEs / listed audits (AIM and Full Market)
Highly competent reviewer of financial statements prepared under IFRS
Willingness and ability to develop a Business Development plan for listed audit work
Experience of building a specific team for this purpose
A desire for career progression and for achieving RI status in their own right