Assurance - External Audit Senior Associate

PricewaterhouseCoopers; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the audit sector is seeking an External Audit Senior Associate to deliver high-quality services to clients. The role involves analyzing financial statements, managing audit engagements, and mentoring junior staff. Ideal candidates will have a degree in accounting, relevant professional qualifications, and experience in a Big 4 firm, particularly with banking or insurance clients.

Qualifications

• Progressive experience at the Senior Associate level with external audit clients in a Big 4 firm.
• Strong knowledge of IFRS 9 and/or IFRS 17.
• Bilingual proficiency in Arabic and English is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Analyze clients' financial statements and ensure compliance with financial regulations.
• Communicate with the Manager regarding engagement progress and risks.
• Review the work of junior team members and provide coaching.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Project management

Business development

Education

Degree in accounting, finance, or related field

Professional qualification (ACCA, CA, ACA, CPA)

Tools

Audit technologies

Data analytics tools

Job description

Assurance - External Audit Senior Associate

As an External Audit Senior Associate, you will contribute to delivering high-quality service to our clients. You will report to Managers and above, working as part of a team that helps build trust, solve complex challenges, and proactively manage multiple engagements. Your job duties will include but are not limited to:

1. Using analytical skills to analyze clients' financial statements and ensure compliance with financial regulations.
2. Examining financial and accounting records, documents, and tangible items such as inventory or plant and equipment.
3. Asking questions, both formal and informal, to individuals at our client organizations.
4. Testing the client's internal controls and processes.
5. Building trust and credibility with clients by understanding their expectations and delivering high-quality services.
6. Researching and understanding key industry facts before the engagement begins.
7. Communicating with the Manager and/or Partner regarding engagement progress, risks, issues, and variances from the plan in terms of time and budget.
8. Owning the completion of external files.
9. Analyzing engagement economics and explaining variances from budgets.
10. Reviewing the work of junior team members and providing on-job training, coaching, and constructive feedback.
11. Adhering to compliance with risk, quality, and independence standards.
12. Engaging effectively with diverse teams throughout the audit process and following up to meet timelines and KPIs.
13. Participating in digital initiatives and skill development aligned with team needs.
14. Performing procedures to support assurance deliverables.

What will you bring?

You are ambitious, growth-oriented, and recognize yourself in the following characteristics:

• A degree in accounting, finance, or related field.
• Completed or pursuing a professional qualification such as ACCA, CA, ACA, CPA (preferably).
• Progressive experience at the Senior Associate level with external audit clients in a Big 4 firm.
• Experience in auditing Banking/Insurance clients is essential.
• Strong knowledge of IFRS 9 and/or IFRS 17.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills for team collaboration.
• Bilingual proficiency in Arabic and English is a plus.
• Business development and client relationship skills.
• Willingness to challenge norms and foster teamwork.
• Excellent project management skills.
• Knowledge of audit technologies and data analytics tools is advantageous.
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion.
• Strong technical skills with demonstrated performance in accounting, reporting, and auditing standards.
• Experience in designing engagement procedures based on risk and materiality.
• Previous coaching and leadership experience in engagement teams.
• Ability to research, analyze issues, and present solutions effectively.