Hybrid Audit Manager Lead Client Portfolios & Growth

Ambition; Preston; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Agile working

33 days holiday

Competitive salary

Employee recognition

Succession planning

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Ambition in Preston is seeking an Associate Director - Audit, Accounts & Tax to lead a varied client portfolio, delivering high-quality audit and compliance services while nurturing strong relationships. You will shape service delivery and contribute to a collaborative, ambitious team in a forward-thinking practice.

The role offers genuine career progression within a firm that invests in its people and values professional development, with flexible agile working and a strong support structure.

Qualifications

• Up-to-date technical knowledge of auditing standards and financial reporting frameworks.
• Technically competent, compliant, and risk-aware in your professional approach.
• Familiarity with ICAEW and/or ACCA qualification structures, including work experience and ethics requirements.
• Ability to produce and critically review financial projections against historic accounts.
• Strong time management skills with a consistent track record of meeting deadlines.
• Detail-oriented, with a methodical and analytical approach.
• Confident in building effective working relationships across internal teams and with external clients.
• Proactive and solutions-focused, with a genuine drive to improve processes and deliver value.

Responsibilities

• Managing a portfolio of clients and preparing audit assignments for partner and director review, including accounts, tax, and briefing notes.
• Coordinating compliance service delivery, ensuring client information is gathered efficiently and work is timetabled around client needs.
• Planning audit assignments following partner and director briefing, agreeing fee budgets and completion deadlines in advance.
• Ensuring compliance deadlines are met and liaising with tax colleagues to support effective planning.
• Taking responsibility for appropriate resourcing of assignments, maintaining staff continuity where possible.
• Identifying opportunities to introduce clients to additional relevant services.
• Flagging key matters for partner and director discussion ahead of client engagement.
• Collating and summarising raw data into clear, review-ready formats, including draft projections and reports.

Skills

Auditing standards

Financial reporting

ICAEW/ACCA knowledge

Financial projections

Time management

Attention to detail

Relationship building

Process improvement

Job description

Ambition in Preston is seeking an Associate Director - Audit, Accounts & Tax to lead a varied client portfolio, delivering high-quality audit and compliance services while nurturing strong relationships. You will shape service delivery and contribute to a collaborative, ambitious team in a forward-thinking practice.

The role offers genuine career progression within a firm that invests in its people and values professional development, with flexible agile working and a strong support structure.