Audit Senior Manager

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Job Title: Audit Senior Manager Location: Manchester Salary: Competitive
Company Overview:
Our client is a leading UK Top 60 accountancy firm with a differentiated advisory-led proposition, headquartered in Manchester. They have been a trusted name in professional services for over 40 years. Their commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction has positioned them as a premier provider in the market.
They will never offer a one size fits all approach. They know, in today’s economic environment, businesses require bespoke support and provide end-to-end services from start-up to exit strategies. Their mantra is “Good advisers help your business. Great ones transform it”. This is the foundation upon which they have built their business.
The Audit Senior Manager Role
Reporting to the Responsible Individual (RI), the Audit Senior Manager holds ultimate operational responsibility for a significant audit portfolio and plays a central role in maintaining audit quality, regulatory compliance, and leadership stability within the department.
The role requires advanced technical expertise, strategic oversight, commercial awareness, and mature leadership capability. The Audit Senior Manager is expected to operate with minimal supervision, exercise sound professional judgement at all times, and act as a key guardian of audit quality under the firm’s ISQM 1 framework.
The Senior Manager acts as the bridge between RI oversight and Manager delivery, ensuring that audit files presented for RI review meet regulatory standards and that teams are developed, supported, and held accountable.
Key Responsibilities:
Portfolio Ownership and Technical Oversight
Hold responsibility for a substantial audit portfolio (typically £500k–£1m+ fee base), including complex groups, regulated entities, and higher-risk assignments. Ensure audits are planned, executed, reviewed and completed in full compliance with ISAs (UK), FRS 102, IFRS,  Companies Act requirements and firm methodology. Review and challenge audit strategies, materiality assessments, risk identification and sampling approaches before RI review. Ensure all audit files are demonstrably “RI ready” prior to escalation. Oversee and manage complex technical matters, including group audits, consolidations, significant estimates, going concern and fraud risk assessments. Act as escalation point for technical and quality issues arising within manager portfolios. Support the RI in responding to QAD inspections or external regulatory reviews. Audit Quality and ISQM 1 Compliance
Act as a key contributor to the firm’s ISQM 1 quality management framework. Monitor engagement performance quality and implement remedial action where necessary. Ensure appropriate supervision, review, consultation and documentation standards are maintained across all engagements. Lead root cause analysis where audit deficiencies arise and implement corrective actions. Promote a culture of quality over speed, reinforcing that compliance is non-negotiable. Leadership and Departmental Stability
Provide visible leadership within the audit department, acting as a stabilising and credible senior figure. Mentor and develop Audit Managers, ensuring they understand the expectations of their role. Intervene early where performance or behavioural issues arise. Demonstrate emotional maturity and resilience, particularly during periods of commercial or operational pressure. Model behaviours consistent with firm values and professional standards. Team Development and Succession
Drive structured development plans for Managers and Assistant Managers. Identify high-potential individuals and actively support succession planning. Ensure Managers are developing their teams rather than centralising control. Lead formal feedback discussions and performance calibration processes. Contribute to training strategy and CPD initiatives across the audit team. Commercial and Operational Management
Manage engagement budgets and profitability across portfolio. Monitor recovery rates and identify efficiency improvements. Take ownership of workflow planning and resource allocation at departmental level. Proactively identify fee opportunities and scope creep. Support fee negotiations and participate in client retention strategy. Client Relationship and Strategic Engagement
Maintain senior-level client relationships, particularly on larger or complex audits. Act as trusted advisor to client boards and audit committees where appropriate. Manage difficult client conversations confidently and professionally. Protect the firm’s reputation in all external interactions. Communication and Escalation
Provide proactive updates to the RI and Head of Audit on portfolio risks, capacity pressures and emerging issues. Exercise sound judgement regarding regulatory or reputational risks. Avoid unnecessary upward delegation by resolving issues at appropriate level. Ensure consistent and aligned messaging within the department. Accountability and Professional Conduct
Maintain full accountability for audit quality within portfolio. Accept responsibility for outcomes rather than attributing blame. Respond constructively to regulatory feedback and internal challenge. Operate with independence and integrity at all times. Uphold the firm’s ethical standards and independence requirements. Working Arrangements
This role is primarily office-based due to its leadership, mentoring, and oversight responsibilities. The successful candidate is expected to be present in the office for the majority of the working week (typically 4 days), subject to business needs.
Essential Criteria
ACA / ACCA qualified. Minimum 5 years post-qualification experience. Demonstrable experience at Audit Manager or Senior Manager level within a Top 50 or similar professional firm. Proven experience managing complex audits, including group structures and technical accounting matters. Strong working knowledge of ISAs (UK), FRS 102, Companies Act and ISQM 1. Leadership and Behavioural Competencies
Operates independently with minimal need for RI intervention. Demonstrates strong professional judgement and decisiveness. Maintains composure and clarity under pressure. Balances commercial awareness with regulatory responsibility. Develops others and holds them accountable. Acts as a unifying and stabilising presence in the department. Skills and Attributes
Advanced technical audit capability. Strong analytical and risk assessment skills. Confident communicator with senior stakeholders. Strategic thinker with operational awareness. High personal accountability. Strong organisational and delegation capability. Progression to Director / RI Level
Progression beyond Senior Manager requires demonstration of:
Sustained delivery of high-quality audits with minimal RI intervention. Ownership of departmental performance and workflow. Strong commercial contribution. Evidence of developing and elevating Managers. Capacity to protect the firm’s regulatory position
Apply
Location:
Manchester
Job Type:
FullTime
Category:
Accounting/Financial/Insurance

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