Financial Services Audit Partner

Johnston Carmichael; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Johnston Carmichael seeks an experienced Financial Services Audit Partner to lead growth in London, overseeing a diverse portfolio and contributing to RI/EQR delivery. You will drive cross‑line business development while maintaining high audit quality and strong client relationships.

The role involves partnering with leadership to shape strategy, mentor a high-performing team, and ensure efficient delivery in line with firm policies. London office-based with flexible arrangements.

Qualifications

• ICAS/ACCA/ICAEW qualification or equivalent.
• Right to be an audit signatory in the UK.
• Extensive audit experience within wealth and asset management.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and leadership ability.
• Ambitious, strategic mindset with focus on quality interactions.
• Experience in business development and strong presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Drive multi business line business development activity across the London financial services market.
• Support portfolio delivery through RI responsibilities or EQR activity.
• Lead and mentor audit team to develop skills and capabilities.
• Ensure audit work complies with firm policies and quality standards.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships with key stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Business development

Presentation skills

Audit quality focus

Strategic mindset

Education

ICAS/ACCA/ICAEW

Job description

Job Purpose:

The successful individual will play a key role in supporting the growth and delivery of our Financial Services Audit portfolio.

The role will have a strong business development focus, primarily in London, supporting the continued growth of the financial services practice and helping strengthen Johnston Carmichael’s presence in the London market. The successful individual will also work closely with the wider Financial Services leadership group to support portfolio delivery, either through RI responsibilities, engagement quality reviews (EQR), or a blend of both.

The Financial Services Audit Partner will be responsible for (but not limited to):

• Drive multi business line business development activity across the London financial services market through existing relationships, networking and market engagement
• Contribute to the strategic direction of the Financial Services Audit team and help execute growth plans
• Support the delivery of a diverse portfolio of clients within the Financial Services Audit team, through RI responsibilities, EQR activity or senior portfolio support
• Manage and support a team of audit employees to achieve their goals and objectives ensuring they are developing their skills and capabilities
• Plan and manage the effective, professional and efficient delegation, flow-through and completion of audit work for clients
• Provide senior audit quality support across the portfolio, which may include EQR’s where appropriate
• Ensure standards and procedures are maintained by the whole team
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients, contacts and colleagues
• Work closely with the Audit team to ensure audit work is handled efficiently and effectively from start to finish and is done in accordance with the Firm's audit policy and other relevant policies and procedures.

About You:

• ICAS, ACCA, ICAEW qualification or equivalent
• Right to be an audit signatory in the UK
• Extensive audit experience within the wealth and asset management sector, covering all or some of investment trusts, venture capital trusts, openended funds, client asset (CASS) audits, alternative funds, wealth/asset manager
• Excellent interpersonal skills, able to help leadership motivate and inspire a high performing team
• Ambitious and strategic mindset focused on quality interactions with clients and a keenness to help grow the financial services business
• A strong focus on audit quality
• Experience in a business development with excellent presentation skills.

Why Financial Services Audit?

Financial Services is a priority sector for Johnston Carmichael, and this focus has seen the Financial Services Audit team enjoy significant growth in recent years, specifically within the wealth and asset management sub-sector. Our client base includes a significant footprint in listed investment companies (investment trusts and venture capital trusts) including the FTSE250, a significant number of open-ended funds, building societies and credit unions, wealth and asset managers, alternative investments (private equity, venture capital, real estate and infrastructure funds), Client Asset (CASS) audits, and service organisation control (SOC) reports.

Our dedicated financial services audit team of around 70 individuals has key team members around the United Kingdom. The successful candidate would be based in our growing London office.

The role provides the opportunity to support and shape a high-quality portfolio, with flexibility depending on the successful candidate’s experience and career aspirations. It could suit an experienced RI looking for a new challenge and greater autonomy, or a senior financial services audit professional seeking to contribute through EQR activity, portfolio support and business development on a part-time or more flexible basis.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a team that is ambitious and supportive. Growth is important to us, but team dynamic, audit quality and cultural fit are of paramount importance. Our flat hierarchical structure means the successful candidate would get regular contact with senior leadership at JC and be able to influence strategy, direction and culture from day one.