Institutional Donor Grant Audit Manager (0567)

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.
• Various other contracts covering other International Donors.

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:

• Managing a portfolio of institutional donor audit, assurance and compliance engagements.
• Leading assignment teams throughout planning, fieldwork, reporting and completion.
• Acting as the primary point of contact for clients, donors, consortium partners and other stakeholders.
• Reviewing engagement work, findings and reports to ensure high quality and consistency.
• Supporting the development of junior team members through coaching, mentoring and performance management.
• Assisting with resource planning and utilisation across the Institutional Donor team.
• Contributing to business development activities, including proposal and tender preparation.
• Supporting the wider management and strategic development of the Institutional Donor team.
• Undertaking international travel where required for higher-risk assignments, training or client meetings.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the following:

• Managing a portfolio of donor-funded audit, assurance and compliance assignments.
• Reviewing planning memoranda, risk assessments, sampling methodologies and engagement programmes.
• Reviewing working papers, audit findings and draft reports.
• Monitoring assignment budgets, timelines and contractual deliverables.
• Ensuring all reports are delivered in accordance with donor requirements and contractual deadlines.
• Managing communications with clients, donors and consortium partners.
• Overseeing the work of local audit firms and specialists where utilised.
• Identifying and resolving technical, operational and contractual issues arising during assignments.
• Supporting recruitment, training, staff development and retention initiatives.
• Contributing to departmental quality management and risk management processes.
• Assisting with the preparation of tenders, framework contract bids and other business development opportunities.
• Supporting other members of the NFP team to ensure effective delivery of the Department's commitments.

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:

• Strong technical audit and assurance skills.
• Experience managing multiple assignments and competing priorities.
• Strong project management and organisational skills.
• Strong report writing and review skills.
• Effective communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Proven ability to manage and develop staff.
• Sound professional judgement and risk awareness.
• Ability to build and maintain strong client relationships.
• Commercial awareness and an interest in business development.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a management team.
• A commitment to high-quality client service and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• ACA/ACCA qualified (or equivalent) is required.

Experience

• Experience of institutional donor funded programmes and grant audits is a requirement.
• Significant experience managing external audit, assurance or compliance engagements.
• Experience reviewing the work of others and managing assignment quality.
• Experience dealing with international clients and stakeholders.
• Experience of tender preparation and business development activities is desirable.

Language skills

• Fluent English required.  
• Additional language capabilities, particularly French, Spanish, Portuguese, German or Arabic, would be advantageous.

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