Audit Manager - Mid Market

Forvis Mazars UK; Poole; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Forvis Mazars UK is seeking an Audit Manager to lead mid-market and SME audits, manage client relationships, and grow the team. You will provide technical guidance on UK GAAP, IFRS, and the Companies Act, while delivering high-quality audits and nurturing staff development.

Based in Poole, you will work in a collaborative, values-driven environment that supports growth, quality, and client service excellence across a diverse client base.

Qualifications

• Qualified ACA/CA/ACCA (or equivalent) with UK audit exposure.
• Experience leading external audit assignments for mid-market and SMEs.
• Proven ability to manage client portfolios and deliver high-quality audits.

Responsibilities

• Lead audits from planning to completion for mid-market and SME clients.
• Manage a portfolio of clients, ensuring on-time delivery and quality.
• Shape audit strategies, allocate resources, and supervise teams.
• Provide technical guidance on UK GAAP, IFRS, and Companies Act.
• Review reports, drafts, and audit committee documentation.
• Coach and develop junior staff and seniors within the team.
• Ensure compliance with firm methodologies and regulatory standards.
• Maintain strong client relationships and identify value-added opportunities.
• Monitor budgets and support business development across service lines.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

Audit planning

Client relationship management

Technical accounting knowledge

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Education

ACA/CA/ACCA or equivalent

Tools

Audit software

Microsoft Office

Job description

Forvis Mazars is a leading global professional services network providing audit & assurance, tax, and advisory services. Forvis Mazars in the UK spans 14 offices across the nation and has over 3,400 professionals, with 190 partners. We have a clear purpose and a shared commitment to shape a better future.

You’ll join a collaborative and inclusive team where you’re supported to grow your skills, explore new opportunities, and contribute from day one. You’ll work with a diverse client base, develop meaningful connections, and gain experience that extends beyond your local team. Together, we grow, belong and impact.

About The Team

In Audit, you will join a growing team of relationship driven, curious, problem solvers who add value to their clients every day. Our audit teams provide assurance services that strengthen internal controls, build investor confidence, and ensure financial credibility. We support a wide variety of clients, from privately owned businesses to UK listed companies, financial services clients, and some of the world’s largest FT Global organisations.

As part of our uniquely integrated structure, you’ll benefit from working in collaborative teams, gaining early responsibility and being empowered to challenge, learn and lead in a supportive, values-driven environment. Our commitment to quality, independence of thought and innovation helps us play a key role in shaping the future of audit.

Our Mid-Market Audit team partners with ambitious, privately owned organisations to deliver tailored, value-added audits. We work with:

• Family-owned and entrepreneur-led businesses
• Private equity and venture capital-backed groups
• Privately held businesses and groups with revenue typically between £10m and £150m
• Unregulated asset managers and real estate owners with assets under £1bn

Our clients span a range of sectors, from food manufacturing and engineering to healthcare and fintech, and often operate across borders or are scaling rapidly.

About the role

As an Audit Manager (MAN2), you will manage a varied audit portfolio and support the senior management team, including Partners, in developing the team and client offering. You’ll play a key role in staff development, client relationship management, and maintaining audit quality across engagements.

Role & Responsibilities

• Audit Delivery – Lead audits for Mid-Market, SMEs and privately owned businesses, managing the process from planning through to completion and ensuring delivery is on time, within budget, and to a high standard.
• Portfolio Management – Manage a portfolio of clients, taking responsibility for service delivery, client satisfaction, and ongoing relationship management.
• Planning & Organisation – Shape audit strategies and scoping plans, ensuring resources, timelines, and budgets are effectively managed.
• Technical Oversight – Provide technical guidance to audit teams and clients during assignments, addressing queries and escalating complex issues to Senior Managers and Partners as required.
• Review & Reporting – Review and draft key reporting outputs, including audit opinion summaries, group reporting packs, and audit committee documents.
• Team Leadership – Lead audit teams in the field, delegating work effectively, reviewing output, and ensuring files are completed to firm and regulatory standards.
• Coaching & Development – Provide ongoing coaching, performance feedback, and training for audit assistants and seniors, encouraging technical growth and professional development.
• Quality & Compliance – Ensure compliance with internal methodologies, quality standards, and regulatory requirements, maintaining consistency across engagements.
• Client Relationships – Act as a key contact for clients in your portfolio, managing expectations, resolving issues, and building trusted long-term relationships.
• Commercial Awareness – Take responsibility for monitoring engagement budgets, managing billing in line with agreed plans, and identifying opportunities for additional services.
• Collaboration & Growth – Work with colleagues across service lines to identify and pursue business development opportunities, supporting firmwide growth.

What we are looking for

• Qualification – ACA / CA / ACCA (or equivalent).
• Sector Experience – Strong audit experience with Mid-Market, SMEs and privately owned businesses.
• Level of Responsibility – Experience managing external audit assignments and a client portfolio, with responsibility for service delivery and client relationships.
• Leadership Experience – Proven ability to lead and motivate audit teams, manage workflow, delegate effectively, and provide coaching and feedback.
• Technical Expertise – Strong and current knowledge of UK GAAP (including FRS 102), IFRS, and the Companies Act.
• Stakeholder Engagement – Skilled at managing client relationships, acting as a trusted point of contact, and addressing queries effectively.
• People Management – Experience in managing, coaching, and developing junior team members, promoting both technical and personal growth.
• Communication Skills – Excellent written and verbal communication, confident in presenting findings and insights to clients and senior stakeholders.
• Technology Skills – Proficient in audit software and Microsoft Office applications.
• Project Ownership – Accountable for managing engagements from planning through to completion, ensuring quality, compliance, and risk management throughout.
• Innovation and Improvement – Contributes to process improvements and shares ideas to enhance efficiency and audit quality.
• Analytical Thinking – Strong ability to identify risks, assess control environments, and apply sound professional judgement.
• Knowledge Sharing – Invested in supporting a culture of collaboration and continuous learning by sharing technical expertise and insights.
• Networking – Develops a professional network within the sector and the wider market, supporting client development and business opportunities.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Forvis Mazars diversity, equity and inclusion are central to our values. We value our people's unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experience, and know this diversity create better outcomes for our clients. We seek to attract, develop, and retain the best talent, inclusive of sex, ethnicity, disability, socio-economic background, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, and faith. We select candidates based on skills, knowledge, qualifications, and experience and aim to support all our team members to reach their potential. At Forvis Mazars, we promote an environment in which you cangrowyour skills,belongto a team that values your ideas, and make animpactthat matters.