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About the role
Audit quality shapes our reputation, enables our growth, and underpins the trust our clients place in us. We're looking for an exceptional Audit Quality Manager to own this agenda and drive it forward.
This is a high-impact, high-visibility role where you'll be the firm's central authority on audit quality. You'll shape how we deliver audits, influence our culture of professional excellence, and ensure we're positioned to meet both current standards and future challenges.
Unlike larger firms where you'd be one of many in a department, here you'll be the lead specialist working directly with partners and senior leadership.
You'll have genuine ability to make change happen, not simply report on it. Your expertise will directly influence firm-wide standards, methodologies and culture.
What you’ll own
System of Quality Management Leadership
Design, operate and continuously improve the firm's System of Quality Management (ISQM 1)
Prepare annual SOQM evaluations and ICAEW Audit Compliance reporting for partner approval
Keep the Audit Quality Management Manual current and effective
Ensure practical compliance with auditing, quality and ethical standards
Monitoring & Risk Insight
Plan and deliver audit quality monitoring including Engagement Quality Reviews, cold file reviews and thematic reviews
Identify emerging risks, trends and regulatory developments through horizon scanning
Conduct root cause analysis on quality issues and translate findings into actionable improvements
Produce quarterly SOQM reporting and KPI analysis for partners and committees
Driving Continuous Improvement
Lead evidence-based proposals to enhance audit quality and methodology
Present clear recommendations to the Audit Quality & Compliance Committee
Deliver approved actions including process updates, practical guidance and team training
Collaborate with technical working groups to implement priority initiatives
Technical Advisory
Act as the go-to technical adviser for audit teams on complex or high-risk matters
Translate technical updates and regulatory changes into clear, practical guidance
Support teams with professional judgement, promoting a culture of quality and constructive challenge
Prepare client-ready communications on technical developments when needed
Training & Capability Building
Coordinate audit quality training priorities with Learning & Development
Shape a forward-looking programme of technical updates and development
Share best practice and learnings from internal and external reviews
Build audit capability and consistency across teams
Governance & Leadership
Chair the Audit Quality & Compliance Committee
Lead or sponsor technical working groups delivering specific quality initiatives
Build credible relationships with partners and senior stakeholders
Champion audit quality across the firm
About you
Essential
ACA qualified (or equivalent professional accountancy qualification)
Significant post-qualification experience delivering statutory audits (5+ years)
Strong technical grounding in UK auditing standards and UK GAAP (including FRS 102)
Proven ability to research technical matters and apply them pragmatically
Excellent communication skills - you can translate complexity into clarity for teams and clients
Confidence influencing senior stakeholders and presenting recommendations to partners
Strong prioritisation and multitasking abilities to manage varied workstreams independently
Professional judgement and constructive challenge - you're comfortable questioning approaches respectfully
Highly desirable
Experience with ISQM 1 and Systems of Quality Management
Knowledge of the Charities SORP and charity audit experience
Familiarity with varied accounting or audit software packages
Experience with compliance reporting to regulated bodies (e.g. ICAEW)
Ability to prepare and deliver engaging training content
Personal attributes we value
Credible and collaborative - you build trust and work effectively across levels
High integrity and ethical judgement - non-negotiable in this role
Self-motivated and autonomous - you take ownership and drive things forward
Curious and improvement-focused - you actively seek better ways of working
Solutions-oriented with constructive challenge - you identify issues and propose fixes
What makes this role different
This isn't a large department role where you'd be implementing someone else's strategy. You'll be the audit quality lead, working as a trusted support to firm leadership with genuine influence over how we deliver audits.
You'll be responsible for identifying improvements and making them happen. Your recommendations will be heard at the highest level, and you'll see the direct impact of your work on firm-wide practice.
The role is primarily non-chargeable, allowing you to focus on quality and improvement. There may be approximately 2 days per month of chargeable work (such as EQRs or complex technical support) on a flexible, seasonal basis, keeping you connected to live audit work while maintaining your strategic focus.
You'll work collaboratively but independently, connecting across Audit, Learning & Development and other service lines, but with the space to think strategically.
Why this role matters
In larger firms, audit quality roles can feel removed from practice. Here, you'll directly shape how audits are delivered, strengthen our culture of professional excellence, and build systems that genuinely work for our teams and clients.
You'll influence not just compliance, but the quality of professional judgement across the firm. You'll help talented auditors become even better at what they do, and you'll play a central role in ensuring we remain trusted, future-ready, and positioned for sustainable growth.
If you're an experienced auditor with strong technical skills who wants to step into a strategic, influential role where your expertise truly matters, we'd love to hear from you.
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