Ethics Assistant Manager

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

The Quality and Risk Management Team (QRM) provides leadership, guidance, and tools to help partners and staff manage quality and risk matters. The team is comprised of an Advisory and Compliance Team, a Chief Information Security Office Team, an Economic Crime Team, a Legal Team including a Commercial & Contracts Team, an Ethics Team plus the Quality Monitoring Team. The team works closely with the firm’s Technical Standards Group and the firm’s leadership.

We’ll help you succeed

Leading organisations trust us because of the quality of our advice. That quality grows from a thorough understanding of their business, and that understanding comes from working closely with them and building long-lasting relationships.

You’ll be someone who is both comfortable working proactively and managing your own tasks, as well as confident collaborating with others and communicating regularly with senior managers, directors, and BDO’s partners to help businesses effectively. You’ll be encouraged to identify and draw attention to opportunities for enhancing our delivery and providing additional services to organisations we work with. Working in the Ethics Team within the firm’s Quality & Risk Management Department, the candidate will provide support on Ethical and Independence matters to the firm’s partners and staff members ensuring that the firm operates within a sound ethical environment, is up-to-date and protected in the areas of audit independence and on other ethical matters.  The candidate will report to a Senior Manager and will work closely with several different teams across the firm. The Ethics Team are largely based in the firm’s London Office.  

The role would suit an individual who has previously worked in a role applying ethical standards or a similar regulatory framework, or a qualified accountant who has worked in audit. Previous knowledge of UK and/or Global independence regulations, specifically on firm independence, would be beneficial.   The candidate should enjoy carrying out detailed analysis of laws and regulations with an ability to then apply the relevant information in varied practical and complex situations.  The role involves significant interaction with the firm’s partners and senior manager group and therefore the successful candidate will also have the ability to explain the issues identified to a wide range of individuals, including those at a senior level, within a professional environment

Responsibilities of the role will be:

• Responding to ethical and independence queries and consultations from partners and members of staff from across the firm where they relate to firm independence. This involves regular contact with senior members of the firm and resolving their queries accurately, seeking further guidance where necessary.
• Supporting the Ethics Partner and Ethics Director in the design and implementation of systems and controls, ISQM1 requirements, and in delivering the overall ethics function’s strategy.
• Assisting more junior members of the team in co-ordinating projects and in responding to queries.
• Providing team oversight and guidance and management reporting / escalation.
• Maintaining and updating the firm’s ethical and independence guidance and policies.
• Developing learning materials on ethical matters and carrying out training.
• Enhancing the firm’s ways of working, bringing ideas and solutions to the Ethics Team.
• Writing articles and other materials on ethical matters for internal and external communications.
• Delivering training sessions internally across all streams

You’ll be someone with:

• Relevant experience in a similar position applying ethical standards or a similar regulatory framework. Or qualified accountant with experience of audit.
• An awareness of the ICAEW Code of Ethics and the Financial Reporting Council’s Ethical Standard for auditors would be beneficial. 
• Understanding of risk management principles and how to apply these in practice.
• Strong communication skills – both written and oral – with the ability to communicate confidently and professionally with people at all levels.
• Works effectively within a team, seeks and provides coaching where appropriate and communicates progress effectively.
• A self-starter with strong project management skills and ability to work well under pressure.
• Strong analytical, consultative, decision making and organisational skills.

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.