Ethics and Independence Director

RSM UK; Leeds; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

RSM UK is seeking an Ethics and Independence Director to support the Independence team in delivering compliance with independence and ethics requirements across the firm. You will advise service lines on systems and processes, design controls, and lead strategic initiatives to enhance the ethics function.

You will manage junior team members, coordinate with IT, risk and compliance, and develop practical learning materials to ensure high-quality, timely responses to regulators and internal

Qualifications

• Experience applying ethics standards and regulatory frameworks in a professional services firm.
• Understanding of IESBA Code of Ethics and FRC Ethical Standard for auditors.
• Ability to interpret and apply rules practically in risk contexts.

Responsibilities

• Respond to ethics and independence queries from partners and staff across the firm.
• Design, implement and improve ethics systems and controls (ISQM1).
• Lead projects to enhance the Independence Team’s processes and data quality.
• Develop learning materials on ethical and independence matters.
• Respond to regulator queries and help ensure timely compliance testing.

Skills

Ethics compliance

Project management

Regulatory knowledge

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Job description

As one of the world's largest networks of audit, tax and consulting firms, RSM delivers big ideas and premium service to help middle-market businesses thrive. We are a fast-growing firm with big ambitions - we have a clear goal to become the premium adviser to the middle market, globally. This vision touches everything we do, motivating and inspiring us to become better every day. If you are looking for a firm where you can build a future and make an impact, then RSM is the place for you.

Make an Impact at RSM UK

Working in the Ethics Team, you will work alongside other senior members of the team and support the ethics partner to help deliver on the team’s strategy. We are looking for an Ethics and Independence Director to support the Independence team deliver on RSM’s responsibilities in complying with independence and ethics requirements generally and, in particular, advise the Tax and Consulting service lines to develop their systems and processes.

You’ll make an impact by

• Responding to ethical and independence queries and consultations from partners and members of staff from across the firm where they relate to non-audit services. This involves regular contact with senior members of the firm and resolving their queries accurately and efficiently.
• Designing and implementing systems and controls, ISQM1 requirements, and in delivering the overall ethics function’s strategy
• Leading individual projects to enhance the Independence Team’s systems and processes
• Further enhancing KPI reporting
• Leading the Independence Team’s strategy and develop the integration of the Global Independence Assessment (GIA) within RSM’s client engagement software
• Enhancing the monitoring of data within GIA with a view to improving its accuracy and quality
• Enhancing ways of working, bringing ideas and solutions to the Ethics Team and developing systems and processes to ensure that they are efficient and user friendly such that they assist client teams to comply
• Managing more junior members of the team in co-ordinating projects and in responding to queries. To work to with other teams (IT, risk and compliance) to deliver system projects
• Providing team oversight and guidance and management reporting / escalation
• Maintaining and updating the firm’s ethical and independence guidance and policy in respect of the FRC’s Ethical Standard, IESBA Code of Ethics and other regulatory standards
• Developing relevant and practical learning materials on ethical and independence matters
• Assisting the Ethics Partner responding to regulator queries and annual compliance testing, ensuring that programmes deliver on quality and meet deadlines

What we are looking for

• Relevant experience of similar roles within leading professional services firms applying ethical standards and similar regulatory frameworks
• An understanding of the IESBA Code of Ethics and the FRC’s Ethical Standard for auditors
• Understanding of regulation and how to interpret and apply rules in a practical way
• Understanding of risk management principles and how to apply these in practice
• Strong communication skills – both written and oral – with the ability to communicate confidently and professionally with people at all levels
• A self-starter with exceptional project management skills and ability to work well under pressure
• Strong coaching and people management skills
• Good interpersonal skills, with ability to create productive relationships across the firm and network and to influence other senior professionals

Diversity and Inclusion at RSM

At RSM, we want to create a strong sense of belonging so that people of all identities, backgrounds, and cultures feel they can bring their true self to work. Our clients come from all walks of life. We aim to achieve that same diversity of background, experience and perspective in our own teams, so that we can genuinely understand our client's needs. Diverse teams bring a broader range of ideas and insights to work. That's why we're working together to ensure our firm's principles and processes support a firm culture that embraces difference and strengthens inclusion.

At RSM we work hard to create an environment where our people can make a difference - to themselves, their career, their teams, and to the success of our firm and clients. We support all our people to work flexibly, to manage their family and other responsibilities alongside their work commitments; we believe this is key to achieving an inspiring and fulfilling working environment.