Audit Manager

AMS Group; Manchester; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday

Birthday day off

Health cash plan

Enhanced parental pay

Company sick pay

Company pension scheme

Perkbox & Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

AMS Group, a UK Top 60 accountancy firm with over 40 years of experience, seeks an Audit Manager to lead a diverse portfolio of audit clients and deliver high-quality work on time and within budget.

Reporting to the Audit Senior Manager and RI, you will oversee planning, execution, and review of engagements, manage budgets and client relationships, and guide junior staff while upholding professional standards during challenging periods.

Qualifications

• ACA or ACCA qualification or equivalent is required.
• Minimum of post-qualification experience (2+ years) and at least 7 years in audit.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of audit clients with fees up to £500k per annum, delivering on time and within budget.
• Ensure audit files comply with ISAs and are suitable for Senior Manager and RI review.
• Take full responsibility for planning, execution, review and completion of engagements.
• Monitor budgets, fee targets, WIP, billing and recoverability to support cash collection and portfolio performance.
• Act as the primary point of contact for audit clients and maintain strong professional relationships.

Skills

Leadership

Client relationship management

Team leadership

Professional judgement

Communication

Education

ACA / ACCA qualified

Job description

Reporting to the Audit Senior Manager and Responsible Individual (RI), the Audit Manager is responsible for the effective leadership, delivery, and management of a portfolio of audit clients. The role requires not only strong technical competence, but also leadership maturity, professional judgement, collaboration, and the ability to provide stability and clarity to teams and clients during periods of change or pressure.

The Audit Manager is expected to operate with a high degree of independence, professionalism, and accountability, acting as a role model for the firm’s values, behaviours, and leadership standards.

Key Responsibilities

Portfolio and Technical Delivery

• Manage a portfolio of audit clients with fees of up to £500k per annum, ensuring all assignments are delivered on time, within budget, and to the required technical and quality standards.
• Ensure audit files are prepared in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (ISAs) and are of an appropriate standard for Senior Manager and RI review.
• Take full responsibility for the operational management of audit engagements, including planning, execution, review, and completion.
• Manage budgets and fee targets on individual assignments, identifying and addressing issues proactively.
• Monitor WIP, billing and recoverability to support effective cash collection and portfolio performance

AMS Group is a UK Top 60 accountancy firm with over 40 years of experience and a strong advisory‑led approach. From our roots as a family‑run practice, we’ve grown into a nationwide business with 300+ colleagues across 14 offices, supported by continued organic growth and a successful M&A strategy. We provide bespoke, end‑to‑end services - from start‑up to exit - built on our belief that“Good advisers help your business. Great ones transform it.” Our award‑winning culture is central to who we are.

Client Relationship Management

• Act as the primary point of contact for audit clients within the office, building and maintaining strong professional relationships.
• Manage client stakeholders effectively, ensuring clients are kept informed of progress, issues, and deliverables throughout the audit process.
• Proactively identify opportunities to add value to clients and to cross-sell other firm services where appropriate.

Leadership, Behaviour and Professional Conduct

• Act as a visible and reliable leader within the audit team, providing stability, clarity, and professionalism at all times.
• Maintain appropriate professional conduct and judgement, particularly during periods of challenge, feedback, or organisational change.
• Respond constructively to feedback, demonstrating resilience, self‑awareness, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
• Support and align with firm leadership decisions, raising concerns through appropriate channels.
• Actively promote a culture of trust and respect.

Team Leadership and Collaboration

• Lead audit teams in a collaborative manner, ensuring colleagues at all levels are appropriately involved, informed, and empowered.
• Delegate work effectively, providing clarity of responsibility and ownership, and avoiding unnecessary centralisation of control.
• Work constructively with peers at manager level, sharing responsibility and supporting collective team performance.
• Develop, retain, and motivate junior members of staff, acting as a role model for expected behaviours and standards.
• Hold regular development and feedback meetings with direct reports to support progression and performance.

Accountability and Presence

• Maintain a consistent and reliable presence to support team delivery, client service, and staff development.
• Ensure that any team absence is planned, communicated appropriately, and managed in a way that does not compromise team or client outcomes.
• Take ownership of team and client issues rather than disengaging during periods of pressure or challenge.

Communication and Escalation

• Proactively update the Audit Senior Manager and RI on the status of the audit portfolio, emerging risks, and key issues.
• Exercise sound judgement regarding escalation, ensuring issues are raised promptly and through agreed channels.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with colleagues and clients at all levels, maintaining consistency of messaging.

Compliance and Quality

• Ensure appropriate onboarding and offboarding of clients within the portfolio, in line with ISQM 1, AML, and firm policies.
• Review work completed by junior team members and resolve issues prior to Senior Manager or RI review.
• Assist the Audit Senior Manager with departmental training and CPD initiatives to support high-quality audit delivery.

Business Development and Firm Contribution

• Support the Senior Manager and partners in business development activities, including tender preparation and client pitches.
• Attend interviews as required to assist in the recruitment and attraction of talent to the audit department.
• Promote the firm’s services and values internally and externally.

Key Relationships

• Internal: Assistant Managers and Audit Seniors
• External: Clients, regulatory bodies

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

Experience

• Proven experience of working in a professional practice environment at Audit Manager level.
• Demonstrable experience of managing an audit portfolio and maintaining strong client relationships.
• Strong technical knowledge of auditing standards and regulatory requirements.

Technical skills

• Strong technical knowledge of auditing standards and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• ACA / ACCA qualified (or equivalent) with a minimum of 2 years post‑qualification experience and at least 7 years’ experience in audit.

Performance Measures (Success Criteria)

Progression and remuneration are dependent not only on technical competence and client delivery, but also on the demonstration of leadership behaviours, professional judgement, collaboration, and the ability to operate effectively and independently at this level.

• 25 days holiday (plus option to buy 5 additional days)
• Birthday day off
• Health cash plan
• Enhanced parental pay
• Company sick pay
• Company pension scheme
• Perkbox & Employee Assistance Programme
• A supportive, award‑winning culture where people can grow and thrive
• Clear progression opportunities based on technical excellence, leadership behaviours and contribution to the firm

AMS Group is an equal opportunity employer.

We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.