Audit Manager

Our client is a leading accountancy and business advisory practice based in Summertown, Oxfordshire, advising clients both locally and nationally. They are a vibrant organisation with a passion for finance and have evolved from their roots as a traditional accountancy practice. They harness the latest technology and are fully up to date with current legislation and codes of practice. These characteristics enable them to develop sound financial solutions that are delivered by their team of motivated and talented individuals. Clients range from successful individuals to owner managers or entrepreneurs of growing businesses across Oxfordshire and the Thames Valley region, with some of their more specialist divisions operating nationally. They pride themselves on the level of service they give to clients.

We have a great opportunity now available for an Audit Manager to join this exciting and dynamic firm. This role ensures that all audits are performed ensuring maximum recoverability, to consistently high standards, and that the audit team is managed and developed accordingly. Working with the Portfolio Partners and the Head of Audit, the Audit Manager assists in growing the client base.

Conducting audits requires a specialist set of skills; their experienced team carries out audits for a wide range of sectors, using the latest software and techniques to ensure a cost-effective and efficient service. The audit process is tailored to requirements, so that the wealth of information gathered provides an invaluable foundation from which they can offer guidance on business processes and strategy.

The successful applicant will be able to demonstrate their abilities to counsel, negotiate and advise others in specialist/technical auditing and accounting matters. He or she must be able to create and maintain goodwill and take a thorough, systematic and logical approach to situations. The ability to communicate and the persistence to see a job through to conclusion are important aspects too.

Role and Responsibilities
Managerial and Technical Responsibilities
· Assist Partners with managing client portfolios
· Ensure all team members are supervised on audit assignments.
· Control all audit assignments and schedule on Job Control system and liaise and plan with Accounts Manager as necessary
· Specifically manage allocated audit assignments
· Have oversight of all audits to achieve completion within agreed budgets and timescales
· Arrange cold file reviews within an agreed schedule to ensure audit quality and standard approach. Review outcomes and feedback to team.
· Perform spot checks on files prior to being passed to Partner: planning completed, audit approach, completion of A section.
· Provide technical assistance (accounting and audit) and perform accounts technical checks (supporting the Audit and Technical partners).
· Assist the Technical Partner with the development of the firm’s technical standards
· Organise the delivery and oversight of audit training and communicate activity to Head of Audit, liaising with Accounts Manager as appropriate
· Ensure that efficiency, productivity and recovery targets are achieved both individually and on a team-wide basis.
· Assist with setting annual budgets at Audit team level.

Line Management
· Day-to-day people management including recruitment and development, ensuring relevant HR procedures are followed
· Managing day-to-day operational costs
· Organisation of work allocation, work flow, processes and resources
· Work with Audit Seniors monitoring work processes and checking quality of individual’s output
· Supporting the individual in dealing with customers/clients
· Measuring operational performance using agreed KPIs
· Undertaking performance development reviews and review of formal performance measures/ objectives
· Working with HR to undertake agreed recruitment and selection
· Providing advice/support in relation to individual situations in conjunction with HR ensuring confidentiality at all times
· Work with Mentors (where in place), actively supporting each individual’s professional and personal development and provide coaching and guidance to support the individual’s continued growth and development

Audit
· Head up an audit team on medium and large company audits, more specifically:-
· Manage forthcoming audits to ensure that resources are available to meet client’s deadlines and match internal resources available. Highlight, in advance, any resource gaps and make the necessary recommendations to fulfil work requirements.
· Supervise all staff on the assignment
· Manage and implement Audit Work Flow Procedures in relation to all aspects of audit planning and delivery, ensuring team do the same and standards are maintained at a high level
· Liaise with client’s accounts department and key finance personnel
· Complete file reviews
· Carry out audit work which cannot be delegated
· Plan audits that are larger, more complex or of high profile
· Oversee the bank letter process
Preparation of statutory accounts (including consolidated accounts) utilising Sage Accounts Production Advanced