Audit Advisor/Assistant Manager

AAB; Canterbury; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

AAB is seeking an Audit Advisor/Assistant Manager to join our External Audit team in Canterbury. You will lead audit engagements for a diverse client portfolio, ensuring high-quality assurance work and strong client relationships.

Essentially, you should hold ACA/ACCA/ICAS or equivalent, with newly qualified candidates welcome. This role offers a clear career path, supportive development, and exposure to growth opportunities within a national firm.

Qualifications

• ACA/ACCA/ICAS or equivalent professional qualification
• Newly qualified candidates will be considered
• Experience in audit within practice
• Experience managing client relationships
• Strong technical accounting and audit knowledge
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities to tight deadlines

Responsibilities

• Deliver planning, fieldwork and completion of audits in line with internal processes, professional standards, budgets and deadlines.
• Take responsibility for key aspects of engagements, managing delivery expectations and escalating issues early.
• Identify and undertake more complex audit areas during fieldwork, seeking guidance where appropriate.
• Review draft accounts and assist in resolving client queries.
• Attend and actively contribute to audit planning, progress and clearance meetings.
• Ensure audit work is completed accurately, efficiently and to required quality standards.
• Act as the client’s primary contact during audit fieldwork, building strong relationships.
• Support the management and development of a portfolio of clients.
• Build strong professional relationships with clients and colleagues.
• Deliver an efficient, proactive and responsive service to clients.
• Identify opportunities for additional services and involve relevant specialists.
• Support growth and retention of existing client relationships.
• Manage work delegated to junior team members and retain responsibility for delivery.
• Coach, mentor and support less experienced colleagues.
• Provide constructive feedback and encourage development.
• Demonstrate people management skills including delegation and motivation.
• Understand recoverability, budgets, WIP, lock-up and scope management.
• Assist with fee preparation and undertake complex WIP analysis.
• Contribute to profitability and efficiency of engagements.
• Maintain strong technical accounting and audit knowledge.
• Ensure compliance with quality control procedures and standards.
• Consult with Managers, Directors and Partners on technical matters.
• Keep up to date with professional developments and CPD requirements.
• Participate in tenders, proposals and presentations for new work opportunities.
• Support marketing and business development activities.
• Help develop opportunities from existing client relationships.
• Build professional networks for firm growth.

Skills

Audit execution

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

Technical accounting

Newly qualified welcome

Education

ACA, ACCA, ICAS or equivalent professional qualification

Job description

Audit Advisor/Assistant Manager

Application Deadline: 16 October 2026

Department: External Audit

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Canterbury

DISCOVER YOUR POTENTIAL. BUILD YOUR CAREER. JOIN US AT AAB.

AAB is a leading professional services firm operating across the UK, Ireland, and the USA. We specialise in the mid-market, supporting individuals, family businesses, and organisations with a full suite of services including audit, tax, corporate finance, payroll, people consultancy, and wealth management. With 1,000+ team members, we deliver expert support to clients all over the world.

EVERYONE HAS THE AABILITY TO SUCCEED- WE'LL HELP YOU GET THERE.

Our people are at the heart of everything we do. We succeed together as one team, building strong client relationships through passion, empathy, and straightforward advice. That's what makes AAB different. We invest in brilliant talent across every area of the business, offering tailored training, professional qualifications, and continuous support to help you grow.

Your growth matters to us. We'll give you the tools, encouragement, and opportunities to lead, learn, and make an impact. Guided by our six core values, we foster a culture where collaboration, trust, and enthusiasm thrive.

AABSOLUTELY DEDICATED TO HELPING YOU ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS

At AAB, your career is what you make it. We are here to help you turn ambition into action, whether that's becoming a technical expert, a future leader, or someone who simply makes a difference every day. If you're ready to be part of a team that's united by purpose and driven by values, we'd love to hear from you.

ESG COMMITMENT

We take our responsibility seriously. From reducing our environmental impact, to supporting education through training and talent programmes, to giving back to our local communities with our charitable initiative ABBIE- ESG is part of who we are.

ROLE PURPOSE

Key duties & responsibilities:

Audit Delivery

• Execute the planning, fieldwork and completion of audit assignments in line with internal processes, professional standards, budgets and deadlines.
• Take responsibility for key aspects of audit engagements, managing delivery expectations and escalating issues at an early stage.
• Identify and undertake more complex audit areas during fieldwork, seeking guidance where appropriate.
• Review draft accounts and assist in resolving client queries.
• Attend and actively contribute to audit planning, progress and clearance meetings.
• Ensure audit work is completed accurately, efficiently and to the required quality standards.
• Act as the client’s primary point of contact during audit fieldwork, building strong working relationships and providing ongoing support.

Client Management

• Support the management and development of a portfolio of clients.
• Build strong professional relationships with clients and colleagues.
• Deliver an efficient, proactive and responsive service to clients.
• Identify opportunities where additional services may add value and introduce relevant specialists where appropriate.
• Support the growth and retention of existing client relationships.

Team Leadership & Development

• Manage work delegated to junior team members while retaining responsibility for overall delivery.
• Coach, mentor and support less experienced colleagues.
• Provide constructive feedback and encourage continuous development.
• Demonstrate effective people management skills, including delegation, motivation and support.

Commercial Management

• Demonstrate an understanding of recoverability, budgets, WIP, lock-up and scope management.
• Assist with fee preparation and undertake complex WIP analysis.
• Contribute to the effective management of engagements to ensure profitability and efficiency.

Technical & Quality

• Maintain strong technical accounting and audit knowledge.
• Ensure compliance with the firm’s quality control procedures and professional standards.
• Consult with Managers, Directors and Partners on technical and risk matters where appropriate.
• Keep up to date with professional developments and continuing professional education requirements.

Business Development

• Participate in tenders, proposals and presentations for new work opportunities.
• Support wider marketing and business development activities.
• Help develop opportunities from existing client relationships.
• Build professional networks that contribute to the growth of the firm and wider service line.

Experience & qualifications

Essential

• ACA, ACCA, ICAS or equivalent professional qualification.
• Newly qualified candidates will be considered.
• Previous experience in a similar audit role within practice.
• Experience working directly with clients and managing stakeholder relationships.
• Strong technical accounting and audit knowledge.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities to tight deadlines.

Desirable

• Experience supporting the management of a client portfolio.
• Experience coaching and mentoring junior colleagues.
• Exposure to business development and networking activities.