Audit Senior - Chichester

Ambition; Chichester; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Life Assurance

Health Cash Plan

Income Protection

Employee discount & rewards platform

Hybrid working (3 days in office, 2 at

Annual leave 25.5 days + bank holidays

Private Medical Insurance

Critical Illness Insurance

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Ambition is seeking a qualified Audit Senior to own a portfolio of audit assignments, lead fieldwork, and serve as a trusted point of contact for clients and internal stakeholders. This hands-on, client-facing role requires technical confidence, strong organisation, and the ability to mentor colleagues while advancing your career.

You will oversee planning, allocate resources, monitor progress, and ensure quality and compliance throughout engagements, including AML/KYC processes and engagement

Qualifications

• ACA or ACCA qualified (or equivalent).
• Solid, practical experience delivering audit fieldwork across a range of client types and sizes.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments simultaneously, meeting deadlines and staying within budget.
• Confidence to liaise professionally with clients, partners, and senior stakeholders.
• Experience supervising and reviewing the work of junior colleagues.
• Good working knowledge of audit compliance requirements, AML, KYC and engagement letter processes.
• Strong organisational skills and a detail-oriented approach with a commitment to quality.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of allocated audit assignments from planning through to completion, ensuring workflow efficiency and quality standards.
• Arrange and lead audit planning meetings and set the engagement tone.
• Prepare or delegate key audit work within budgets and liaise with managers on complex areas.
• Monitor progress across engagements and communicate with clients and internal stakeholders.
• Research technical issues and escalate on more complex audit matters.
• Prepare the full completion section of audit files, including Going Concern assessments and KAM findings.
• Manage audit file administration and ensure review readiness to required standards.
• Address review points raised by managers and Responsible Individuals promptly.
• Act as key contact for nominated clients throughout fieldwork and maintain momentum year-round.
• Ensure AML, KYC, and engagement letters meet client requirements; participate in audit reviews and close-downs.
• Coach and review semi-seniors and assistants; coordinate with outsourced/offshore teams as needed.
• Contribute to billing preparation and share insights with the team.

Skills

Client communication

Time management

Leadership

Attention to detail

Education

ACA or ACCA qualification

Job description

Looking for an audit role where you can genuinely get stuck in, lead from the front, and make a real difference to a team and its clients?

Our client is a well-regarded professional services firm with an established and growing audit function. They're looking for a qualified Audit Senior to take ownership of a portfolio of audit assignments, lead fieldwork, and act as a trusted point of contact for clients and internal stakeholders alike.

This is a hands-on, client-facing role that calls for someone technically confident, well-organised, and motivated to develop the colleagues around them as well as their own career.

What you'll be doing

• Lead the delivery of allocated audit assignments from planning through to completion, ensuring effective workflow and adherence to quality and technical standards
• Arrange and lead audit planning meetings, setting the tone for each engagement from the outset
• Prepare or delegate key audit work in line with agreed budgets, and liaise with managers and senior managers on complex or higher-risk areas
• Monitor progress across multiple engagements, maintaining clear and timely communication with clients and internal stakeholders at each stage
• Research technical issues and elevate appropriately on more complex or sensitive audit matters
• Prepare the full completion section of audit files, including Going Concern assessments and Key Audit Findings Reports
• Manage audit file administration and ensure all sections are complete and review-ready to the required standard
• Clear review points raised by managers and Responsible Individuals in a thorough and timely manner
• Act as a key point of contact for nominated clients throughout fieldwork, maintaining relationship momentum proactively throughout the year (including arranging stock takes where relevant)
• Ensure client compliance requirements are in place, including AML checks, KYC reviews, and engagement letters
• Attend audit review and close-down meetings as required
• Supervise, coach, and review the work of semi-seniors and assistants, supporting their development on the job
• Act as a point of contact for any outsourced or offshore team members involved in your assignments
• Contribute to billing preparation where required
• Apply learnings from each engagement to continuously sharpen your approach and share insights with the wider team

What we're looking for

• ACA or ACCA qualified (or equivalent)
• Solid, practical experience delivering audit fieldwork across a range of client types and sizes
• Ability to manage multiple assignments simultaneously, meeting deadlines and staying within budget
• Confidence to liaise professionally with clients, partners, and senior stakeholders
• Experience supervising and reviewing the work of junior colleagues
• A good working knowledge of audit compliance requirements, including AML, KYC, and engagement letter processes
• Strong organisational skills and a detail-oriented approach with a genuine commitment to quality

Nice to have

• Experience working on more complex or higher-risk audit clients
• Familiarity with outsourced or offshore audit team structures

Our client takes the wellbeing, development, and recognition of its people seriously. Here's what's included:Financial wellbeing

• Competitive salary (details available upon application)
• Contributory pension scheme, Life Assurance, Health Cash Plan, Income Protection Scheme, and employee discount and rewards platform

Leave and flexibility

• 25.5 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Option to buy additional holiday
• Hybrid working (3 days in office, 2 from home) and flexible working policies

Health and wellbeing

• Private Medical Insurance and Critical Illness Insurance
• Employee Assistance Programme and access to counselling

Recognition and development

• Monthly financial recognition awards based on culture and values
• Clear, mapped progression routes across the business
• Access to both internal and external training and development programmes

Inclusion and belonging

• A genuinely inclusive workplace with family-friendly policies and active steps taken to support diversity and a strong sense of belonging

Community and sustainability

• One additional day per year for volunteering

Travel (optional)

• Cycle to work scheme
• Interest-free season ticket loan (London only)
• Interest-free car or motorbike loan

Our client is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments at any stage, please feel free to let us know. You only need to share what you are comfortable sharing, and every request will be handled with care and discretion.