Audit & Assurance Director / Partner

Armstrong Watson LLP; Newcastle upon Tyne; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary sacrifice pension (4x salary)

Health cash plan

Employee assistance programme

Annual leave improvements

CPD support and training

Professional membership fees coverage

Referral incentives

Job summary

Armstrong Watson LLP in Newcastle seeks an experienced Audit & Assurance Director/Partner to join our Newcastle office. You will lead high‑quality audit work, manage client relationships and drive the service line's growth with disciplined delivery.

You will plan and allocate work, ensure clear fee communication, and build networks to expand referral opportunities while upholding our standards of excellence.

Qualifications

• ACA/ACCA qualified with UK tax knowledge.
• Solid understanding of UK auditing standards (UK & Ireland).
• Ability to manage a fast-paced environment and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Plan, prioritise and allocate client work with effective team workflow.
• Agree on client work scope and communicate likely fees prior to start.
• Ensure adequate contact with clients and external organisations.
• Build a network of business partners to enhance Armstrong Watson's profile.

Skills

ACA/ACCA qualified

UK tax knowledge

UK auditing standards

Client relationship management

Education

Professional accountancy qualification

Job description

Audit & Assurance Director / Partner

Department: Audit

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Newcastle

Reporting To: Michael Morris

Description

About Us

Build something exceptional, with us...

Our ambition is clear and openly bold.

Armstrong Watson is on a journey to more than double our turnover by 2030, through disciplined organic growth, the attraction of outstanding talent, and the selective acquisition of like‑minded firms.

But growth alone is not the goal. Reputation is. And reputation is earned, not inherited.

Our strategic intent is simple to say and hard to deliver. To become the most respected adviser to privately owned businesses in the North and the UK.

The firm business owners talk about. The firm lawyers and bankers recommend without hesitation.

To achieve this, we are building the best Accounting and Financial Advisory firm to deal with, not just in the North, but across the UK. Exceptional service, deep expertise, trusted relationships, and absolute reliability define everything we do. These are not slogans; they are standards we hold ourselves to every day.

At our core, we exist for one reason, to help our clients achieve prosperity, a secure future, and peace of mind.

This strategy sets the direction. Our people, our values‑led culture, and our standards will deliver it.

We are looking for people who want more than the next job. People who care deeply about:

• Standards and professionalism
• Doing work they are proud to put their name to
• Building long‑term client relationships
• Being part of a firm with real momentum and intent

If you want to grow with a business that is ambitious, values‑driven, and serious about excellence, Armstrong Watson offers opportunity and expectation in equal measure.

What you will find here:

• A firm with clear direction and momentum
• Clients who value advice and relationships
• Colleagues who care about doing things properly
• A culture built on Passion, Trust, Humanity and Honesty
• Genuine opportunity to shape your career as the firm grows

This is our moment, and our vision is clear, to build something genuinely remarkable.

The Role

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced RI Partner/Director to join our Newcastle office.

The main elements of this role will include:

• Ensuring the planning, prioritising and allocation of all relevant client work is carried out whilst ensuring effective team workflow
• Ensuring full agreement of client work to be undertaken is in place and communicating likely fees prior to commencement to maximise fee recovery
• Ensuring adequate contact availability for clients, Armstrong Watson personnel and external organisations with self and team members as appropriate
• Building, developing a network of business partners / intermediates to ensure the profile of Armstrong Watson is positive in the marketplace and to generate referral opportunities

Please note that will not be accepting candidates from agency suppliers in connection with this vacancy.

The Candidate

In order to fulfil the responsibilities of the position, we would like candidates to be / have:

• ACA / ACCA Qualified
• Sound knowledge and understanding of all relevant UK taxes such as Corporation Tax, VAT, PAYE etc in order to ensure amounts are accurately presented in the financial statements of a company
• Excellent knowledge and working experience of the International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) variant
• Comfortable working in a fast paced environment
• Able to prioritise workloads under strict deadlines and work well under pressure
• Able to use own initiative and have great organisation / problem solving skills

The Benefits

In return for your hard work helping us shape our future growth and development; we will provide a competitive salary and a positive benefits package which includes:

• Salary Sacrifice Employer Contribution Pension Scheme including Life Cover (4x salary) and Income Protection
• Competitive Annual Leave entitlement & Annual Leave Purchase Scheme allowing you to buy up to 5 additional days annual leave each year
• Smart Working Policy, giving you the ability to balance home and remote working
• Health Shield Cash Plan (cash back on a range of Health benefits and discounts on holidays, fashion and entertainment)
• Employee Assistance Programme (24/7 confidential support for wellbeing and health)
• Paid flu jabs and eye tests
• Introductory Commission Scheme (financial reward if you refer a new client)
• Employee Referral Scheme (financial reward if you refer new AW colleagues) enabling you to claim up to £2,500 for each referral
• Investment towards Continuous Professional Development (CPD), which includes access to comprehensive training courses and materials
• Paid professional membership fees

In addition to all the benefits you would expect from an award winning employer, you will be given the utmost encouragement and support to develop your career further.

When you're with us... we're with you.