Assistant Manager (0525)

PKF Littlejohn is one of the leading challenger firms in the UK with offices in London, Leeds and Manchester.  We are also an active member of PKF Global, an international network of legally independent accounting firms that gives us an on the ground presence in 150 countries around the world with access to more than 20,000 people across 440 offices globally.

We provide a full range of audit, accountancy, tax and advisory services, and are experts at simplifying complexity.  We are particularly well-known for working with complex clients with challenging issues in fast-moving and highly technical areas, such as the insurance industry, the global capital markets and the not for profit sector.  Our aim is to understand people, the organisations they run, and what matters to them, so we can simplify complexity and help them achieve their ambitions.

Click here to learn more about us.

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Not for Profit

The Not for Profit (NFP) team has an impressive pool of knowledge and experience to share and from which to learn. The team is led by partners with extensive experience in the sector; not only of auditing and advising large, high profile NFP entities but some have also seen things from the client’s side where they have run and assisted in the governance of global international charities.

NFP organisations are distinguished by the fact that they exist for a social purpose, rather than by what they do day to day. This means the NFP world encompasses everything from radical campaigning organisations to big businesses with a public benefit remit. This is an exciting time for anyone with an interest in the sector to be joining our NFP team and in return for your enthusiasm to develop and learn we can offer you the opportunity to build a rewarding career.

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PKF Littlejohn LLP is part of consortia which holds a number of framework contracts to audit grant funding awarded to various organisations globally, on behalf of International Donors:

• Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA), of the European Commission to audit grant funding awarded for development aid across the globe;
• Directorate‑General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD), of the European Commission to audit grant funding awarded for research, science, and innovation policy.
• Directorate‑General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO), of the European Commission to audit grant funding awarded for humanitarian aid and civil protection.
• United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to audit their implementing partners globally;
• A long term agreement with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to audit directly implemented projects globally;
• Directorate-General for Budget covering various themes.
• Swedish Embassies in various countries
• Various other contracts covering other International Donors such as FCDO, the UN etc.

The above contracts cover the audit of grants awarded to organisations operating typically in the fields of international development, humanitarian aid, research and culture. Assignments take place either within Europe or across the world according to where the funding is being delivered and / or where the supporting records are kept. 

The successful candidate will be expected to perform a role that involves:

• Undertaking audit assignments in Europe, Africa, Asia, Latin America throughout the year, usually ranging from 1 to 2 weeks per trip.
• Travelling for up to 50% of the time with the remainder of time spent in our London office, planning future audits and writing audit reports.
• Reporting to the managers, director and partners and being responsible for delivering to them a fully drafted audit report and complete set of working papers.
• Remotely managing local auditors in locations we are unable to travel, to ensure that audit work is undertaken effectively and that local teams are properly briefed and trained.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the following:

• Planning of audit assignments, including the preparation of a planning memorandum and sample selection.
• Organisation of logistics for onsite assignments.
• Attending all required meetings, internally and with the Donor and Auditee.
• Preparation of working papers.
• Preparation of the draft report and associated annexes.
• Ensuring all reports are delivered to our clients within the contractual deadline.
• Managing all correspondence with the Donor and Auditee as required for the assignment.
• Being available for further follow up queries / requests at any stage during the implementation of an assignment or after the assignment has been completed.
• Input into business development and marketing.
• Supporting other members of the NFP audit team to ensure that audits to which we have been assigned are completed within contractual deadlines.

In addition to all of the above, should the firm win similar assignment work from other international donors or implementing organisations (e.g. NGOs or International Organisations, IOs), the role as described here can be expanded and varied to incorporate such new work as deemed appropriate and necessary. 

Skills, Experience and Qualifications

The ideal candidate will be skilled in the following areas:

• Proven skills in external auditing.
• Proven skills in audit planning, fieldwork and file completion.
• Good report writing skills.
• Effective internal and external communication skills (both oral and written).
• A keen interest in specialising in the not for profit and grant auditing sector.
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable.
• Respectful of different cultures.
• Enthuiastic
• Working to deadlines.
• Able to work on own initiative.

Qualifications

• ACA/ACCA qualified (or equivalent) is required.
• Other relevant audit skills, qualifications and experience are considered alongside a professional qualification.

Experience

• Preference is given to candidates with previous donor grant audit experience; however this is not a determining factor. A keen interest in the sector and a willingness to learn is equally as important.

Language skills

• Fluent English required.  
• Preference is given to candidates who are proficient in either French, Spanish, Portuguese, German or Arabic.
• Other language capabilities are also considered a bonus (both European and non-European).

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