Audit Manager - Liverpool

Ambition; Liverpool City Council; Hybrid; AUD 131,000 - 206,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working with core hours 10am–2p

25 days annual leave

Performance bonus and recognition

Employee Assistance Programme

Structured progression planning

Job summary

Ambition is recruiting for an Associate Director - Audit, Accounts & Tax. The role leads client engagements, develops a skilled audit team, and shapes the audit function's direction with a focus on quality and insights beyond numbers.

You will work across clients in a hybrid model, progressing through a clear career path, with strong investment in people. ACA/ACCA credentials and UK audit standards experience are essential.

Qualifications

• Fully qualified ACA or ACCA with solid experience in an accountancy practice
• Working knowledge of Auditing Standards and UK Financial Reporting Standards
• Technically competent and risk-aware with a structured approach
• Able to prepare and critically review financial projections with commentary
• Proactive in identifying improvements and efficiencies for clients and the firm
• Capable of owning internal projects from initiation to delivery and communicating outcomes
• Naturally builds relationships across internal teams and with clients

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end planning, control and review of client audit assignments
• Conduct pre-audit meetings to understand business developments
• Prepare time budgets for assignments considering fees and profitability
• Oversee preparation of audit and accounts planning memoranda
• Manage trainee allocations across engagements for development
• Conduct six-monthly appraisals and training sign-offs
• Provide feedback through post-assignment staff reviews
• Handle day-to-day team management and time tracking

Skills

ACA/ACCA qualified

Auditing Standards knowledge

Risk awareness

Financial projections

Client relationship building

Project ownership

Team collaboration

Education

ACA/ACCA qualification

Job description

Associate Director - Audit, Accounts & Tax

If you're a qualified audit professional looking for a role that combines genuine technical depth with real leadership responsibility, this is worth a closer look.

Our client is a well-established, people-first accountancy practice with a strong presence across the UK and access to a prestigious international network. Based in Liverpool, they're looking for an Audit Manager to lead client engagements, develop a talented team, and help shape the quality and direction of the audit function.

This isn't a role where you'll be kept in a silo. You'll work closely with clients across a broad range of businesses, building meaningful relationships and delivering insights that go well beyond the numbers. With a hybrid working model, a clear route for progression, and a firm that genuinely invests in its people, it's a strong move for an ambitious ACA or ACCA-qualified professional ready to step up.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead the end-to-end planning, control, and review of client audit assignments, allocating resources to ensure work is delivered efficiently and to a high standard
• Conduct pre-audit meetings with clients to understand key business developments and identify areas requiring focused attention
• Prepare time budgets for each assignment, with appropriate consideration given to fee levels and overall job profitability
• Oversee the preparation of detailed audit and accounts planning memoranda by senior team members, ensuring assignments are approached in the most effective way
• Manage the allocation of trainees across a range of engagements to provide varied development experience and maximise their learning
• Carry out six-monthly appraisals and sign off training records for allocated staff, supporting their growth and long-term effectiveness
• Complete post-assignment staff reviews, providing structured and constructive feedback to drive improved future performance
• Handle day-to-day team management matters, including leave, training, workload quality, motivation, and the monitoring of chargeable and non-chargeable time

What We're Looking For

• Fully qualified ACA or ACCA, with solid experience gained within an accountancy practice environment
• Current working knowledge of Auditing Standards and UK Financial Reporting Standards
• Technically competent and compliance-minded, with a considered approach to risk
• Able to prepare and critically review financial projections, including commentary on draft figures against historic accounts
• Proactive in identifying improvements and efficiencies that benefit both clients and the wider firm
• Comfortable taking ownership of internal projects, from initiation through to delivery, and communicating outcomes clearly to stakeholders
• A natural relationship builder, confident working across internal teams and directly with clients

Nice to Have

• Prior experience managing or mentoring junior audit staff
• Exposure to a varied client portfolio across different business sectors and sizes

Why Join

• Hybrid working: core hours 10am to 2pm, with two home-working days per week
• 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to buy or sell up to five additional days
• Competitive salary, negotiable depending on your experience and expertise
• Employee recognition: Outstanding Performance Award Bonus and additional recognition initiatives throughout the year
• Structured succession planning programme with a supportive management framework designed to help you develop and progress
• Employee Assistance Programme: free, confidential, 24-hour support including unlimited counselling sessions and virtual GP access for you and your family