Audit Quality Assistant Manager / Manager (0395)

PKF is the 12th largest accountancy brand and the 12th largest audit practice in the UK. 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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Infrastructure 

We are good at getting things done and our Infrastructure team applies this mentality to ensure we have the right tools, technology, strategies and services in place to deliver exceptional client service and future-proof our growing business.

We’re looking for forward-thinking people to come on board and join us within Technical & Compliance, Finance, IT, Training, Human Resources, Business Development/Marketing, Legal, and Administration.

These teams play a key role in the success of the firm as they shape the way we operate. By joining one of these teams, you’ll influence the future of PKF, while enjoying the support, training and opportunities you need to succeed both personally and professionally.

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The Technical and Compliance Department (TCD) ensures that the Firm’s business is conducted in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, codes, and standards issued by the regulators and standard setters. TCD also plays a vital role in the Firm’s system of quality management (SOQM) through the performance of audit quality reviews on selected audit engagements, performing monitoring activities in relation to the engagement performance and the development and delivery of audit quality related guidance and training materials. 

As an Audit Quality Assistant Manager / Manager, you will play a key role in supporting partners and staff to achieve audit quality in their engagement and ensure compliance with applicable auditing and accounting standards. You will apply your audit knowledge and experience in supporting the needs of the Firm with the main part of your role involving answering audit related queries, performing cold, in-flight and thematic reviews and issuing guidance and training on audit quality initiatives. You must be a strong team player and be able to work effectively within TCD and across the Firm. You must also have the ability to liaise with and win the confidence of senior partners and 
staff within the Firm, the Firm’s network and externally including the Firm’s regulatory bodies. 

Audit quality reviews

• Performing audit quality reviews of selected audit engagements which includes, but is not limited to, in-flight reviews, thematic reviews, follow-up of regulatory findings and cold file reviews.  
• Preparing and submitting of reports on the findings from all audit quality reviews to the relevant compliance partners, the Professional Standards Committee (PSC), the Audit Quality Oversight Team (AQOT), and, where required, the wider Firm.  
• Identification of areas for improvement in the Firm’s audit methodology and/or audit training as a result of the findings from the audit quality reviews and delivery of those actions in conjunction with other members of the Technical and Compliance Department (TCD).  
• Participating in the relevant audit quality projects and initiatives devised by the AQOT.   
• Undertaking a review of existing working practices, suggesting improvements and delivery of agreed monitoring and recommendations.  

Audit quality liaison and queries

• Supporting in the development of audit quality sessions, guidance and materials for managers, RIs and engagement quality reviewers.
• Responding to queries and information requests from the audit regulators, audit engagement teams and others in relation to audit quality matters.
• Ensuring liaison and co-operation with divisional audit quality teams to ensure the objectives of AQOT are addressed and to identify findings and trends arising from divisional audit teams.
• Providing support to the Technical and Compliance Department by answering audit related queries and development of audit related, including audit methodology, materials, and training.
• Reviewing the audit reports of public interest entities and other entities in scope of the Firm’s technical review requirements to confirm compliance with auditing standards, company legislation and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Reviewing the proposed modified audit reports of the Firm’s audited entities prior to issuance.
• Sharing best practices with audit teams to improve overall audit quality initiative that reduce risk and enhance audit quality.

Monitoring and remediation

• Undertaking the relevant audit quality related monitoring activities relating to the quality risks and responses devised for the Firm’s system of quality management and reporting the findings of those activities to the Technical and Compliance Partner (individual responsible for monitoring and remediation).
• Undertaking the relevant audit quality related monitoring activities relating to the quality risks and responses devised for the Firm’s system of quality management and reporting the findings of those activities to the Technical and Compliance Partner (individual responsible for monitoring and remediation).

Miscellaneous

• Liaison with and attendance at relevant mid-tier meetings, PKF UK&I meetings and external regulatory events pertaining to audit quality related matters.
• Liaison with and attendance at relevant mid-tier meetings, PKF UK&I meetings and external regulatory events pertaining to audit quality related matters.

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• Professional accountancy qualification (e.g. ICAEW, ACCA or equivalent) with at proven post-qualification experience
• Good working skills, knowledge and understanding of the UK auditing requirements including legislation (e.g., Companies Act 2006), auditing standards (ISAs (UK)), the FRC’s Revised Ethical Standard and accounting standards (UK GAAP and IFRS).
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and other applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint and SharePoint).

Previous experience of: 

• working in audit practice and/or in a similar audit quality position. The role would also be suited to an auditor demonstrating strong technical aptitude looking to move into an audit quality role;
• developing and delivering audit quality training initiatives and materials; and
• working autonomously and as a member of a team.

Recognised and evidenced ability to: 

• deal with complex, multi-faceted issues and reach clear evidenced based conclusions;
• challenge the work of others, applying a sceptical mindset and attention to detail; and
• communicate verbally and in writing in a clear and concise manner.

Strong organisational (i.e. time and project management) and presentational.

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