Audit Manager

Our client, a leading CA Firm with a network of offices and wide geographic reach, seeks to recruit a suitably qualified Audit Manager or experienced Assistant Audit Manager ready and keen to take their next step up, based in Edinburgh.

What our client can offer you

• Genuine work / life balance.
• Accredited Investor in People.
• New and improved programme for Succession planning and supportive management structure to help you realise your potential.
• 33 days holiday?including bank?holidays, plus the opportunity to buy up to 5 days.
• Competitive salary.
• Managers bonus scheme available.
• Paid CSR time.
• Car lease scheme

 Our client believes their reach makes them a national and international partner of choice for entrepreneurs and multi-national enterprises across the world, with an agile and responsive approach working closely with clients to identify their goals and business needs both now, and in the future.

Main responsibilities

Portfolio Management

• Plan, control and review client work to ensure that the jobs are completed as efficiently and effectively as possible by allocating the resources available.
• Hold pre-audit meetings with clients where appropriate, to establish the events that have had an impact on the business and any areas needing particular attention.
• Prepare a time budget for each assignment. Ensure where possible that this is set at a level to enable the office to make money on the job taking into account the level of the fees and other non audit work to be included within that fee.
• Ensure a detailed audit or accounts planning memorandum is completed by the senior, with the information they will need to approach the audit work in the most efficient manner. This will include details of any potential anomalies or any difficulties that have been encountered during previous audits.
• Brief audit or accounts staff on the client and the nature of its business ensuring that the most cost effective approach to the job is clearly communicated. Carry out debrief and provide feedback at end of assignments.
• Review all work received as soon as possible, ensuring that any issues arising are referred back to the audit staff for completion before any outstanding issues are drawn to the attention of the Partner.
• Ensure that files are complete and that audit or accounts work is sufficient to enable the Partner to form an opinion on the accounts, bearing in mind the balance between cost and benefit.
• Monitor work in progress on all jobs within the portfolio, communicating any potential problems and write offs to the Partner’s attention on a timely basis.
• Ensure all hours worked on any client are recorded correctly, enabling a true reflection of the profitability of the job to be shown.
• Prepare fee schedules and bill for Partner review and approval, explaining any extra charges also identifying and explaining any write offs or profits.
• Draft all management letters, finalising of accounts, letters of engagement etc.
• Attend client meetings (where appropriate).

Team Management

• Ensure, as far as possible, that trainees are allocated a variety of jobs in order to provide a broad range of training and maximise their experience.
• Complete 6 monthly appraisals and sign off training records for all allocated members of staff ensuring that these are completed to enable staff to be developed and in turn enhance their effectiveness.
• Complete staff review forms after the end of each job identifying any areas needing further development and giving feedback to ensure improved future performance.
• Deal with day to day staff issues which may include holidays, courses, conflicts, quality of work, motivation, monitoring chargeable and non-chargeable hours.
• Specific office responsibilities e.g. technical contact, specific technical area expert, office accounts, client bank accounts, IT contact, marketing committee, client care committee, maintenance of the office work planner.

Business development, advisory and ad hoc work

Qualifications and skills

• Fully qualified ACA/ACCA with a minimum of 3 years post qualified experience in external audit, accounts and general practice from another UK Accountancy Practice Firm office.
• Up to date in CPE and recent developments in accounting standards.
• Experience working with OMBs covering a range of industries.
• Demonstrable ability to motivate, delegate effectively, develop the team and be a strong leader.
• Client focus and able to think commercially – able to seek out opportunities within the portfolio.
• Communication – oral and written, ability to deal with variety of people in different environments.
• Organisational skills – the ability to successfully manage conflicting priorities.
• Able to understand complex business issues and offer practical solutions.
• Manages change in a positive way.

This is an excellent opportunity to join this highly regarded and expanding Firm, working in partnership with clients ranging from entrepreneurs and individuals to multi-national corporations.