Audit Quality - Audit Advisory Methodology Senior Manager (Asset Management)

Ideas | People | Trust

We’re BDO. An accountancy and business advisory firm, providing the advice and solutions entrepreneurial organisations need to navigate today’s changing world.

We work with the companies that are Britain’s economic engine – ambitious, entrepreneurially-spirited and high‑growth businesses that fuel the economy – and directly advise the owners and management teams leading them.

We’ll broaden your horizons

As experts on a wide number of issues, our Audit Quality Department (AQD) provides support to our specialists in audit/assurance and other business streams. From being on-hand to help with complex enquiries, to implementing and advising on policy and processes, AQD are the people tasked with finding solutions to some of our teams’ most complex technical issues. As part of this supportive and knowledgeable team, you’ll have a chance to use and develop your technical skills and experience, find solutions to technical queries and contribute daily to the firm’s commitment to deliver high quality output. Learn on the job. Lead and manage projects. Build a network of experienced specialists. Whatever level you are, this could be the role for you.

We’ll help you succeed

The work we do is underpinned by quality. We deliver audits which are trusted and transparent which can be relied upon by companies and their stakeholders.

You’ll be someone who is comfortable working pro-actively and, managing your own tasks, as well as confident collaborating with others and communicating regularly with Senior Managers, Directors, and BDO’s Partners. You’ll help deliver accurate and transparent reporting to all relevant stakeholders as you provide long term value. 

Audit quality is central to our strategy as an Audit Stream, the key ingredient to our success. Consistent high audit quality enables us to attract, develop and retain talented people and be proud of our work. Audit quality allows us to compete in the market and demonstrate that we can play a key role in market reform.

Consistently high audit quality does not happen by chance. It requires a mindset and culture of challenge and professional scepticism, appropriate resources both people and intellectual, investment in central support for engagement teams and technology solutions. Within the last year we have increased our headcount significantly, invested in new partners, and commenced a significant investment programme in AQD.

This is an opportunity for talented, high performing and ambitious Senior Manager to join the Methodology team in AQD in an exciting period and help to shape the role and the expanding team. You will report into the Methodology Partner and work closely with Audit Advisory Directors.

The successful candidate will have significant experience in managing and executing audit and audit-related projects (such as CASS), with exemplary technical skills regarding auditing standards and their practical application. The role will be primarily based in the Baker Street Office in London although some visits to other offices may also be required. We can offer alternative base office locations of Manchester and Birmingham if needed.

This role will be focused on the asset management and capital markets sector which includes listed funds, hedge funds, private equity funds, renewables, corporate and private wealth managers

In this challenging and rewarding role you will be responsible for:

• Managing and supporting with the delivery of key audit methodology projects 
• Responding to audit methodology queries from audit staff at all levels (email, telephone or in person)
• Sharing industry developments with audit partners and directors
• Ensuring that audit/CASS methodology remains in line with best practice and the expectations of the FRC
• Ad hoc methodology related assignments
• Writing and updating guidance material
• Development and delivery of audit methodology training content
• Provision of support for the development and delivery of ‘group learning sessions’ which are led by partners and managers in the audit stream
• Carrying out targeted file reviews to identify areas of best practice and areas requiring further audit guidance

The successful candidate will have responsibilities for forward looking and pre-emptive consideration of upcoming developments and business needs identified in relation to audit methodology. The successful candidate will have responsibilities for working on specific projects intended to result in new or enhanced guidance, training and other materials for dissemination to the audit stream.

You'll be someone with:

• ACA or similar professional accountancy qualification
• Considers themselves an expert with regards to the UK auditing standards
• Significant current hands on practical asset management and capital markets audit /CASS experience
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a small team and able to use own initiative
• Ability to think outside the box and pioneer in using existing methodology and best practice to independently develop methodology for current and future business models
• Wide-ranging practical experience regarding application of ISAs and audit methodology is essential; experience in IT auditing techniques would be an added advantage
• High attention to detail
• Experience of training design, development and delivery
• Strong problem solving skills
• Takes personal responsibility and accountability for own work 
• As this role will involve training and coaching peers and will involve reviews of audit files, experience as audit manager is essential

You’ll be able to be yourself; we’ll recognise and value you for who you are and celebrate and reward your contributions to our business. We’re committed to agile working, and we offer everyone the opportunity to work in ways that suit them, their teams, and the task at hand.

At BDO, we’ll help you achieve your personal goals and career ambitions, and we have programmes, resources, and frameworks that provide clarity and structure around career development.

We’re in it together

Mutual support and respect is one of BDO’s core values and we’re proud of our distinctive, people-centred culture.  From informal success conversations to formal mentoring and coaching, we’ll support you at every stage in your career, whatever your personal and professional needs.

Our agile working framework helps us stay connected, bringing teams together where and when it counts so they can share ideas and help one another.  At BDO, you’ll always have access to the people and resources you need to do your best work.

We know that collaboration is the key to creating value and satisfying experiences at work, so we’ve invested in state-of-the-art collaboration spaces in our offices.  BDO’s people represent a wealth of knowledge and expertise, and we’ll encourage you to build your network, work alongside others, and share your skills and experiences.  With a range of multidisciplinary events and dedicated resources, you’ll never stop learning at BDO.

We’re looking forward to the future

At BDO, we help entrepreneurial businesses to succeed, fuelling the UK economy. Our success is powered by our people, which is why we’re always finding new ways to invest in you. Across the UK thousands of unique minds continue to come together to help companies we work with to achieve their ambitions.

We’ve got a clear purpose, and we’re confident in our future, because we’re adapting and evolving to build on our strengths, ensuring we continue to find the right combination of global reach, integrity and expertise. We shape the future together with openness and clarity, because we believe in empowering people to think creatively about how we can do things better.