Audit Data & Innovation Lead

Sumer; City Of London; Remote; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Sumer is seeking an Audit Data & Innovation Lead to shape and deliver the firmwide data and automation agenda across the UK and Ireland. This strategic, hands-on role will drive the development of the audit data ecosystem, standardised datasets and AI-enabled processes to improve quality and efficiency.

You will partner with IT and audit leadership to roll out pilots, embed scalable solutions, and ensure governance and risk controls are applied throughout the transformation journey.

Qualifications

• ACA qualification (or equivalent) required.
• Experience in audit data analytics and audit technology.
• Proven API integration and data orchestration experience.
• Experience with accounting/audit data structures.
• Proficiency with Power BI, SQL, Python or audit analytics platforms.
• Knowledge of AI tools and practical AI applications in audit.
• Understanding of prompt engineering and LLMs.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Ability to translate strategy into scalable delivery.

Responsibilities

• Lead firmwide audit data and innovation strategy.
• Identify how standardised data can improve audit quality and performance.
• Design integration of dashboards and reporting solutions to monitor adoption.
• Train auditors on automation to meet evolving needs.
• Build and rollout AI and automation pilots, including low-code tools.
• Develop API-driven data connectivity and workflows across systems.
• Establish governance for AI and automation in audit and manage risk.
• Engage stakeholders across audit, IT and leadership to drive adoption.
• Translate innovation concepts into scalable, day-to-day audit workflows.

Skills

API integration

Power BI

SQL

Python

AI in audit

Prompt engineering

Stakeholder management

Delivery leadership

Data analytics in audit

Audit data concepts

Education

ACA qualification

Tools

SQL databases

Audit analytics tools

Job description

Audit Data & Innovation Lead

This is a fully remote working opportunity.

Sumer is a fast-growing professional services firm dedicated to championing small and medium businesses and helping communities prosper across the UK and Ireland.

Our AuditCo business is building the UK & Ireland’s foremost provider of high-quality audit for SMEs. With a rapidly evolving technology stack and increasing standardisation across our audit platforms, we are entering a new phase where data, automation and AI will fundamentally shape how audit is delivered.

We are looking for an Audit Data & Innovation Lead to play a central role in transforming the way audit is performed across Sumer.

This is a strategy and hands-on role focused on:

• Building and evolving our audit technology and data ecosystem
• Unlocking and delivering value from standardised audit data
• Driving effective and efficient automation and AI innovation
• Embedding scalable, data-led audit approaches across the firm

You will work closely with the Head of Audit Quality and Strategy Implementation, as well as IT, audit leadership and operational teams to develop practical solutions that improve audit quality, consistency and efficiency.

This role offers high visibility and genuine opportunity to shape the future of audit within a growing organisation.

Key Responsibilities

In this role, you will combine strategy, innovation and practical delivery. Your responsibilities will include:

Audit Data & Innovation Strategy

• Lead the development and implementation of Sumer’s firmwide audit data, and innovation strategy.
• Identify how standardised audit data can be leveraged to improve audit quality, insight and operational performance.
• Support integrated, automated monitoring of KPIs through the design of the integration of existing dashboards and reporting solutions (e.g. audit quality indicators and adoption metrics) to monitor adoption.
• Work with the wider audit quality team to ensure training relevant to automation meets the evolving needs of our auditors.

Automation & AI Innovation

• Identify and develop tools and solutions that deliver real value, maintaining and prioritising a back-log in a way that maximises benefits.
• Drive continuous improvement through automation, helping teams reduce manual effort, increase consistency and focus on areas of professional judgement.
• Lead pilots and rollout of AI and automation solutions, including low-code tools and workflow automation platforms.
• Help drive a culture of innovation within Sumer, delivering initiatives that bring our auditors on the transformation journey.

Technology Integration & Data Connectivity

• Work closely with IT and audit teams to design and implement integrations across audit systems and tooling that support automation.
• Build and harness API-driven solutions to improve data extraction, transformation and analysis.
• Set up and test new data connections and workflows, taking innovative solutions through review and implementation.

Governance & Delivery

• Support the development of governance frameworks for AI and automation within audit, ensuring alignment with policy, regulation and best practice.
• Exercise judgement to ensure solutions put in place manage risk and traceability depending on the output.
• Translate innovation concepts into scalable solutions embedded into day-to-day audit workflows.
• Engage and influence stakeholders across audit, IT and leadership to drive adoption and successful delivery.
• Continuously assess emerging technologies and identify opportunities to enhance audit quality and efficiency.

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

We’re looking for someone who is both technically capable and practically minded - someone who enjoys solving problems, experimenting with new technology and turning ideas into practical outcomes.

• A curious, innovative mindset with a focus on continuous improvement
• ACA (or equivalent) qualification, or relevant experience in audit, data or transformation roles
• Experience in audit data analytics, audit technology or business transformation
• Proven experience working with APIs and data integration
• Strong understanding of accounting and audit data structures
• Experience using data and analytics tools such as Power BI, SQL, Python or audit analytics platforms
• Experience with AI tools and a practical understanding of AI applications within audit
• Conceptual understanding of prompt engineering and how LLMs work
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills
• Ability to translate strategy into practical, scalable delivery

Belong @ Sumer

At Sumer, we know everyone’s journey is different. That’s why we’re committed to fairness, removing barriers, and giving people the support they need to do their best work. If you need any support during the hiring process, just let us know.

Our values represent what matters most to us and guide how we work every day:

• We Shine Together
• We Do the Right Thing
• We Make It Count

We know diverse teams make us stronger. That’s why we’re creating an inclusive workplace where everyone belongs, and differences are valued and celebrated.

About Sumer

Sumer is a fast-growing professional services firm dedicated to championing small and medium businesses and helping communities prosper across the UK and Ireland.

Operating within a buy and build “Hub and Spoke” business model, we combine the indispensable value of leading regional practices with the tech, scale, and breadth of expertise of a national organisation.

We call this ‘The Power of Collaboration’ – an approach that delivers growth for our entire organization and all the businesses we serve.

By joining Sumer, you become part of a dynamic team committed to innovation, excellence, and the success of the businesses we support