Senior Manager - Audit & Assurance (ISQM 1)

Grant Thornton UK; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading audit and advisory firm seeks a Senior Manager - Audit & Assurance to lead the System of Quality Management. The role involves ensuring audit quality, compliance, and risk management while promoting continuous improvement. Qualified candidates will have extensive audit experience and a strong understanding of ISQM 1. This position offers flexibility and values diverse backgrounds, making it ideal for individuals re-entering the workforce.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Inclusive culture

Opportunities for community engagement

Qualifications

• Minimum of ACA/ACCA or equivalent professional qualification.
• Extensive post-qualification experience in audit and assurance.
• Strong understanding of ISQM 1 and UK auditing standards.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement the System of Quality Management.
• Ensure the embedding of a culture of high audit quality.
• Collaborate with senior leadership on quality objectives.
• Monitor effectiveness of the SoQM and promote continuous improvement.

Skills

Extensive post-qualification experience in audit and assurance

Proven experience in quality management

Strong understanding of ISQM 1

Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives

Strong technical knowledge of UK GAAP

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Analytical mindset focused on continuous improvement

Education

Professional qualification (ACA/ACCA or equivalent)

Job description

Alternatively, Grant Thornton

At Grant Thornton we do things differently - looking to the future, driving ambitious growth and pioneering positive change in our industry. Providing audit, tax and advisory services, we empower clients through strategic insight, curiosity, and genuine partnership. And we empower our people with real opportunity, an inclusive culture and work life balance. A true alternative.

With over 5,000 people in the UK, and a presence in 150 global markets, we're on an ambitious journey, from great to exceptional, and we need the best people to help us achieve our potential. And with that comes the opportunity to help redefine what our industry looks like, and what you want from your career.

Job Description:

This role of Senior Manager - Audit & Assurance (ISQM1) is central to the design, implementation, and ongoing operation of the firm’s System of Quality Management (SoQM) in accordance with ISQM 1. Reporting to an Audit Director, the Senior Manager will provide strategic leadership in embedding a culture of quality across the audit practice, ensuring that the firm’s policies and procedures are robust, scalable, and aligned with regulatory expectations. This is a high-impact role that supports the firm’s commitment to audit quality, risk management, and continuous improvement.

Open on UK office location, within our Audit practice, we’re very keen to support and hire those who have had career breaks or time away from Audit, who would like to return to a busy, flexible role. Our vacancies for qualified Auditors are all open to supporting the up-skilling and re-integration of returners to our business

A look into the role

As a Senior Manager withing the Audit Support Centre, part of the Audit & Assurance Practice, your key responsibilities with be to,

• Support, evolve and progress the ongoing operation of the firm’s System of Quality Management, in line with ISQM 1 requirements, working with other senior managers in the System of Quality Management team
• Support the embedding of a culture of high audit quality across by the firm
• Collaborate with senior leadership to design and maintain quality objectives, risk assessments, and responses across all components of the SoQM.
• Monitor the effectiveness of the SoQM, including root cause analysis, remediation activities, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop and maintain documentation to evidence the design, implementation, and operation of the SoQM.
• Provide technical guidance and training to audit teams on quality management principles and ISQM 1 compliance.
• Liaise with and communicate regularly with key internal and external stakeholders, including regulators, to ensure transparency and alignment with professional standards.
• Collaborate with teams across the firm to deliver coordinated responses to the ISQM 1 and audit quality initiatives
• Support the Audit Director in preparing for internal and external quality reviews and inspections.
• Contribute to the development of firm-wide policies, methodologies, and tools that support audit quality
• Prepare reports for senior leadership, summarizing key findings and remediations from the testing, monitoring and evaluation programme.
• Promote continuous improvement in the system of quality management, supporting the firm’s wider digital strategy, while keeping a focus on audit quality.

Knowing you're right for us

Joining us as a Senior Manager, the minimum criteria you’ll need is a professional qualification (ACA/ACCA or equivalent). It would be great if you had some of the following skills, but don’t worry if you don’t tick every box, we’ll help you develop along the way.

• Extensive post-qualification experience in audit and assurance, ideally within a Big 4 or Tier 1 firm.
• Proven experience in quality management, risk assessment, or regulatory compliance within an audit context.
• Strong understanding of ISQM 1, UK auditing standards, and the broader regulatory environment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and influence senior stakeholders.
• Experience in designing or operating a System of Quality Management.
• Strong technical knowledge of UK GAAP, IFRS, and ethical standards.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex concepts clearly.
• Analytical mindset with a focus on continuous improvement and innovation.

Knowing we’re right for you

Embracing uniqueness, the culture at Grant Thornton thrives on the contributions of all our people, we never settle for what is easy, we look beyond to deliver the right thing, for everyone. Building an inclusive culture, where we value difference and respect our colleagues helps our people to perform at the best of their ability and realise their potential.

Our open and accessible culture means you’ll interact with leaders who are interested in you and everything you bring to our firm. The things that set you apart, we value them. That’s why we give you the freedom to bring your whole self to work and pursue your passions inside and outside of work.

Beyond the job

Life is more than work. The things you do, and the people you’re with outside of work matter, that’s why we’re happy to look at flexible working options for all our roles, and we’ll always do our best to keep your work and life in balance.

The impact you can make here will go far beyond your day job. From secondments, to fundraising for local charities, or investing in entrepreneurs in the developing world, you’ll be giving back to society.

It’s that drive to do the right thing that runs through our every move, grounded in our firm’s values – purposefully driven, actively curious and candid but kind.

We’re looking for people who want to contribute, spark fresh ideas and go beyond expectations. People who want to be able to proudly do what’s right, for the firm, our clients, our people and themselves. It’s how it should be.