Audit Manager – Charities & Non-profit

Peters Elworthy & Moore

Cambridge

On-site

GBP 60,000 - 68,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Pension scheme

Bonus scheme

Private Medical Insurance

27 days annual leave

Birthday pay‑leave

EV/cycle‑to‑work scheme

PEM Perks

Volunteer days

Job summary

Peters Elworthy & Moore (PEM) in Cambridge is seeking an Audit Manager for its established charity and not‑for‑profit audit team. You’ll lead engagements, build relationships with charity leaders and trustees, and develop teams in a growing specialist practice.

This role combines technical excellence with people leadership in a firm committed to long‑term careers. Hybrid working is offered, with a focus on flexibility and client service.

Qualifications

ACA, ACCA or equivalent professional qualification.
Significant audit experience within a professional services environment.
Strong experience working with charities and not‑for‑profit organisations.
Sound knowledge of UK GAAP and the Charities SORP.
Experience managing client portfolios and leading teams.

Responsibilities

Manage a portfolio of charity and not‑for‑profit clients.
Build strong relationships with finance leaders, executives and trustees.
Lead audits from planning through to completion and partner review.
Review financial statements and ensure the highest quality standards are met.
Provide practical, value‑added advice to clients navigating sector‑specific challenges.
Coach, mentor and develop members of the audit team.
Support business development activities, tenders and client growth opportunities.
Contribute to the ongoing success and expansion of PEM’s charity and not‑for‑profit practice.

Skills

Audit management

Charities sector

Team leadership

UK GAAP

Client relationships

Education

ACA/ACCA qualification

Job description

Location: Cambridge (Hybrid Working)

Salary: 60,000 – 68,000 per year, with eligibility to participate for the firm’s bonus scheme.

Looking for a role where your expertise can make a genuine difference? At PEM, you’ll be joining one of Cambridge’s most established specialist charity and not‑for‑profit audit teams, supporting more than 250 organisations that improve lives, strengthen communities and drive positive change across the UK.

As an Audit Manager, you’ll lead meaningful audit engagements, build trusted relationships with charity leaders and trustees, develop talented teams and help shape the future of a growing specialist sector practice.

This is an opportunity to combine technical excellence, people leadership and purposeful work within a firm that has been putting people first for over 150 years.

Why PEM?

Founded in Cambridge in 1875, PEM has grown to become one of the region’s leading firms of accountants, tax and business advisers. While much has changed over the years, our commitment to people, relationships and exceptional client service remains at the heart of everything we do.

We’re proud to support a diverse range of organisations, from owner‑managed businesses and technology companies to some of the most respected charities and not‑for‑profit organisations in the UK.

When you join PEM, you’ll find:

A collaborative and supportive culture where expertise is shared openly
A specialist team with a strong reputation in the charity and not‑for‑profit sector
Meaningful opportunities for progression and leadership development
Flexible and hybrid working that supports life outside of work
Direct access to Partners and senior decision-makers
A firm that genuinely invests in long‑term careers

Life at PEM: giving back to our community

Across the firm, our people choose to support local causes through the PEM Charitable Trust. This is a firm‑wide initiative, not a duty of this role. Our colleagues nominate and award grants of up to £2,000 to local charities – donating over £95,000 to date and celebrating our 150th grant in 2025.

From charity challenges to volunteer days, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved if you wish – championing causes close to your heart and seeing the real‑world impact of our collective work.

As Audit Manager within our Charities & Not‑for‑Profit team

You’ll manage a portfolio of organisations with turnovers typically ranging from £1million to £20million. You’ll act as a trusted adviser to clients while leading high‑quality audit engagements, developing team members and contributing to the continued growth of our specialist practice.

In this role, you’ll:

Manage a portfolio of charity and not‑for‑profit clients
Build strong relationships with finance leaders, executives and trustees
Lead audits from planning through to completion and partner review
Review financial statements and ensure the highest quality standards are met
Provide practical, value‑added advice to clients navigating sector‑specific challenges
Coach, mentor and develop members of the audit team
Support business development activities, tenders and client growth opportunities
Contribute to the ongoing success and expansion of PEM’s charity and not‑for‑profit practice

Why this opportunity is different

It isn’t just another Audit Manager role. You’ll join a dedicated specialist team advising more than 250 charities and not‑for‑profit organisations, giving you exposure to a wide variety of clients, challenges and opportunities. Our clients range from large national household names, to Cambridge Colleges, to smaller local organisations at the heart of our local community.

Every client in our portfolio exists to create positive change. Whether supporting vulnerable people, advancing education, driving research, improving health outcomes or strengthening communities, our clients are making a difference every day. By helping these organisations remain financially strong, compliant and well governed, you’ll play an important role in enabling that impact.

Whether you’re looking to deepen your sector expertise, broaden your leadership experience or take the next step towards Senior Manager and beyond, you’ll be supported every step of the way. You’ll work closely with executives, finance leaders and trustees, helping organisations remain financially strong, well governed and able to maximise their impact.

What we’re looking for

We’re interested in the person as much as the qualification. You’ll be an experienced audit professional who enjoys building relationships, developing people and helping not‑for‑profit organisations succeed.

Essential

ACA, ACCA or equivalent professional qualification
Significant audit experience within a professional services environment
Strong experience working with charities and not‑for‑profit organisations
Sound knowledge of UK GAAP and the Charities SORP
Experience managing client portfolios and leading teams
Strong communication and relationship‑building skills
A proactive, collaborative approach to client service

Desirable

Excellent technical knowledge of accounting and auditing standards
Commercial awareness and strong project management skills
Confidence engaging with senior stakeholders and trustees
Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities

Career development

A clear pathway for career progression
Ongoing technical and leadership development
Support from experienced specialists and Partners
Opportunities to build your profile within the charity and not‑for‑profit sector
Exposure to a broad and varied client base
Whether your ambition is to become Senior Manager, Partner or a recognised sector specialist, we’ll help you get there.

Benefits & rewards

Hybrid and flexible working arrangements
Contributory pension scheme
Eligible to participate for the firm’s bonus scheme
Private Medical Insurance through AXA for employee and dependants (terms apply)
4x salary death in service benefit (terms apply)
Annual Leave entitlement: 27 days per year plus bank holidays.
Holiday purchase scheme: You can purchase or sell up to five days holiday each year
Birthday bonus: PEM gifts you one day paid leave to be taken on or near to your birthday as possible.
Electric vehicle, cycle‑to‑work and technology salary sacrifice schemes
PEM Perks, including monthly shopping and entertainment vouchers
Two paid volunteer days each year

Hear from our team

I like that the company is big enough to offer variety and structure to its trainee programs, but also small enough to feel personal. This ‘best of both worlds’ approach has been perfect for me so far - I’ve already learnt so much both in the office and at college.” – Rachel Blunt, Assistant Manager

Since joining PEM from Hills Road, I have seen the exposure and insight at an early stage of my career that I would not have imagined. The support I have received from PEM particularly within my team has been exceptional, making it a pleasure to work for PEM. Although it is challenging it is also equally rewarding.” – Harriet Jones, Assistant Manager

Since joining PEM in October 2017, I have been given endless opportunities to develop professionally, technically and personally, whilst being fully supported by the partner group. PEM is progressive, inclusive and an enjoyable place to work whilst ensuring its staff maintain a healthy work life balance.” – Jemma Gibbons‑Riddell, Partner

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