Audit RI

Wilson Partners Limited; Plymouth; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Wilson Partners Limited in the South West is seeking a senior leader to direct the audit department and act as the principal relationship contact for a substantial portfolio of clients.

You will drive growth, maintain high technical standards, and oversee risk management, while promoting the firm’s strategy and leveraging digital tools to enhance service delivery and efficiency across the audit practice.

Qualifications

• Senior manager level experience in a practice environment.
• Experience managing teams and audit portfolios.
• RI role experience and strong technical knowledge of accounting standards.
• ACCA/ACA/CA qualified.
• Knowledge of IRIS preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and grow the audit team and portfolio.
• Pitch for and win new audit work and assignments.
• Promote audit services with regional leadership.
• Develop and maintain client relationships to expand service revenue.
• Ensure risk management and regulatory compliance across audits.

Skills

Technical judgment

New business development

AI in audit

Problem solving

Market understanding

Clear communication

Coaching

Education

ACCA/ACA/CA qualified

Tools

MS Office

Caseware

Datasnipper

Job description

This is an exciting opportunity to lead and direct the activities of the audit department whilst acting as the key relationship contact for a substantial portfolio of audit clients. Also pro-actively contributing to the growth and development of the audit department, the success of the office and the firm’s strategy and business plan.

Duties & key responsibilities:

• Being responsible for the performance and growth of the audit team
• Being able to pitch and win new audit work and assignments
• Working with the Regional Head of Audit for the South West and local MD to promote the audit services
• Developing new client and business relationships to ensure the growth of the firm’s services and client base
• Maintaining and developing client relationships
• Identify opportunities to support and add value to clients and grow the firm’s revenues across all service lines
• Managing the profitability financial performance of the department to ensure achievement of the firm’s objectives
• Upholding the technical and regulatory standards of the audit team and work delivered
• Taking overall responsibility for risk management for the firm’s audit work
• Understanding the market within which the firm operates to identify and address potential risks, issues and opportunities
• Providing overall direction and leadership of the firm’s objectives to the team
• Collaboration across the firm to support and achieve organisation objectives, harnessing appropriate digital technologies

Skills & abilities:

• Strong technical and ethical judgement
• Confidence and ability to persuade and win new clients/work
• Experience to introduce and use technology/AI in a responsible manner adding value and improving efficiency
• Resourcefulness to resolve issues and identify opportunities
• Commercial understanding of the market within which the firm operates and those of its clients
• Ability to communicate across all levels of the office and business with relevant content and insights that add value to clients
• Ability to coach and train other team members

Knowledge & experience:

• Have operated at a senior manager level in a practice environment.
• Experience of managing teams
• Experience of managing an audit portfolio and performing the RI role
• Computer skills: MS Office applications – Word, Excel, Outlook. Ideally also Caseware, Datasnipper
• ACCA/ACA/CA qualified
• Knowledge of IRIS preferred
• Excellent knowledge of accounting and audit standards and changes to tax legislation as required

Personal attributes:

• A ‘can do’ attitude with a high attention to detail
• Excellent communication skills – both verbal and written
• Commitment to learning
• Confidence
• Able to handle clients in an open, approachable and professional manner.
• Be a good team player demonstrating commitment and respect to other team members
• Excellent organisation skills
• Strong focus on managing deadlines and work load prioritisation
• Refer to competency framework for specific behavioural indicators

Wilson Partners was established in 2008 in the heart of Maidenhead, Berkshire, by two brothers, Allan and Chris. From day one, there has been a key focus on team culture, driven by the belief that our business is all about the people. Now with offices in Maidenhead, Cambridge, Exeter, Manchester, Nantwich, Newton Abbot, Oakham, Plymouth, Sevenoaks, Stellenbosch, Tonbridge, Wilmslow and Woking, and a team of 460 and counting, we’re here to make a positive impact. Our continued growth journey means we are always on the lookout for great talent.

We’re proud to do things a little differently, we’re business enthusiasts who just happen to be accountants, we want to challenge and be challenged. We strive for the best, and we want our clients and people to see the value in how we operate and that we can make a real difference.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

At Wilson Partners our approach to diversity is simple, we believe our strength lies in people. We are committed to creating a workplace where every individual can thrive.

We value diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds, knowing they fuel innovation, better decisions, and collective success.

Guided by our values of teamwork, expertise, attitude, innovation, and people, we actively foster an inclusive environment built on respect and opportunity.

We want our clients and our teams to feel empowered, supported, and able to contribute their best.

We are committed to ensuring an inclusive recruitment process. If you require reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know.

We want people with a passion for business, who love working in a team, can also thrive independently and who embrace change.