Audit Quality Inspector

Michael Page; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking experienced audit professionals to join their Audit Quality Review team. This role offers a unique opportunity to influence the practices of major audit firms while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Candidates will engage in detailed inspections of audit files and procedures, providing insights into the operations of leading firms. With a strong emphasis on work/life balance and a hybrid working arrangement, this position is ideal for those looking to make a significant impact in the audit profession while enjoying competitive remuneration and generous benefits.

Benefits

30 days annual leave

Option to buy extra leave

Generous employer pension contribution of 10%

Strong work/life balance ethos

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant with significant experience in external audit.
• Membership in recognized accountancy bodies is essential.

Responsibilities

• Conduct audit file inspections for larger UK listed entities.
• Review firm-wide procedures at major audit firms.

Skills

Audit Quality Review

Technical Auditing Skills

Accounting Skills

Communication Skills

Education

Professional Accountancy Qualification (ACA/ACCA)

Membership of ICAEW/ACCA/ICAS/ICAI

Job description

Successful candidates will participate in reviews of audits conducted by the Big 4 and other large audit firms, demonstrating their technical experience and personal skills in dealing with senior partners and staff at those firms.

Client Details

This regulatory organisation is the UK Competent Authority for audit regulation. Their Audit Quality Review team is made up of suitably qualified and skilled staff with previous audit experience, including sector and IT specialists. It undertakes inspections monitoring the quality of Public Interest Entity (PIE) audits, specifically those for UK listed entities.

Description

The role provides an insight into how the major firms operate and how they are responding to current issues in the profession and changes in regulatory requirements. Successful candidates will also have the satisfaction of being able to influence the practices and procedures of the major audit firms to enhance quality.

The successful candidate will:

1. Conduct audit file inspections, focusing on larger UK listed entities. File inspections include analysis of audit workpapers, information gathering through informal and formal questioning of the audit team, discussion with the audit firm of potential issues identified, and conclude with final written reporting.
2. Conduct inspections of firm-wide procedures at the major audit firms as required and visiting audit firms and reviewing their processes and audit methodologies.

Profile

An accountancy qualification coupled with membership of ICAEW, ACCA, ICAS or ICAI (or equivalent) are required, along with significant experience at least at Audit Senior Manager or above level in the external audit profession.

The ideal candidate will have:

• A professional accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA, or equivalent).
• Significant post-qualification experience in the audits of listed and other public interest entities.
• Strong technical auditing and accounting skills.
• A demonstrable interest in an audit firm's audit quality initiatives.

Job Offer

• Competitive remuneration packages, including 30 days annual leave and the option to buy extra leave.
• Generous employer pension contribution of 10%.
• A strong work/life balance ethos.
• A hybrid working arrangement, with an expectation that 40% of working time will be spent at one of the offices per week.