Audit Manager

Protalent; Canterbury; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

25+ days holiday plus bank holidays

Pension and private medical insurance

Professional development opportunities

Supportive company culture

Job summary

A leading accountancy and advisory firm in Canterbury is looking for an experienced Audit Manager to manage a diverse portfolio. The role involves leading a high-performing team to deliver quality audits while ensuring compliance with standards. Candidates should be ACA or ACCA qualified with statutory audit experience. The firm offers a competitive salary, hybrid working, and benefits such as generous holiday and professional development opportunities. This is a chance for ambitious professionals to join a supportive and progressive company.

Qualifications

• ACA or ACCA qualification is essential.
• Experience managing a client portfolio and leading teams is required.
• Sound knowledge of ISAs and UK GAAP is necessary.
• Experience managing a client portfolio and leading teams.
• Academies sector experience desirable.
• Strong accounts preparation skills.
• Commercially aware, organised and detail-focused.
• Excellent communication and client relationship skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of audit clients ensuring quality delivery.
• Lead and develop your audit team.
• Identify opportunities to improve audit efficiency.
• Review completed audit files prior to RI sign-off.
• Ensure compliance with professional standards and internal procedures.
• Lead audit close-down and client meetings.
• Manage billing, fee agreements and resolve budget variances.
• Identify opportunities to improve audit efficiency and client service.
• Support cross-selling of wider firm services.
• Ensure AML, KYC and engagement compliance.

Skills

Strong statutory audit experience within public practice

Excellent communication and client relationship skills

Strong accounts preparation skills

Commercially aware, organised and detail-focused

ISAs knowledge

UK GAAP knowledge

Excellent communication

Commercial awareness

Education

ACA or ACCA qualified

Job description

Audit Manager
South East | Hybrid Working

An established and highly regarded independent accountancy and advisory firm is looking to appoint an experienced Audit Manager to join its growing Audit team.

This is an excellent opportunity for a qualified professional ready to take ownership of a varied portfolio, lead a high-performing team, and contribute to client growth and service excellence.

The Role

As Audit Manager, you will manage a portfolio of audit clients, ensuring high-quality delivery, adherence to budgets and deadlines, and strong fee recovery. You’ll act as a key client contact while leading and developing your team.

Key responsibilities:

• Managing and developing a portfolio of audit clients


• Planning and allocating audit assignments to ensure efficient workflow


• Setting audit scope and budgets, briefing teams and monitoring progress


• Reviewing completed audit files prior to RI sign-off


• Ensuring compliance with professional standards and internal quality procedures


• Leading audit close-down and review meetings with clients


• Managing billing, fee agreements and resolving budget variances


• Identifying opportunities to improve audit efficiency and client service


• Supporting cross‑selling of wider firm services


• Ensuring AML, KYC and engagement compliance

Leadership & Team Development

• Setting clear objectives at the outset of each assignment


• Monitoring KPIs and providing regular, constructive feedback


• Coaching and mentoring Assistant Managers and junior team members


• Supporting recruitment and succession planning


• Running workflow meetings to ensure deadlines and service levels are met

Business Development

• Building and maintaining your professional network


• Generating referrals from your client base


• Supporting pitches, networking events and sector initiatives


• Contributing to webinars, articles and thought leadership

About You

• ACA or ACCA qualified


• Strong statutory audit experience within public practice


• Sound knowledge of ISAs and UK GAAP (IFRS desirable)


• Experience managing a client portfolio and leading teams


• Academies sector experience desirable


• Strong accounts preparation skills


• Commercially aware, organised and detail-focused


• Excellent communication and client relationship skills

What’s on Offer

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package


• Hybrid working (3 days office / 2 days home)


• 25+ days holiday plus bank holidays, with option to buy more


• Pension, life assurance, income protection and health cash plan


• Private medical insurance and wellbeing support


• Clear progression pathways and ongoing professional development


• Supportive, collaborative culture with strong community and ESG focus

This is a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious Audit Manager seeking a leadership role within a progressive, people-focused firm that values both technical excellence and long-term client relationships.

For a confidential discussion, please get in touch.