Lead Auditor

Duncan & Toplis is one of the UK's largest independent accountants and business advisers. Celebrating our 100-year anniversary in 2025, we are on course for the biggest period of growth in our history. Our vision to be the team that clients always choose to work with and where talented people belong remains at the forefront and guides everything that we do. Our Assurance team is seeking an Audit Lead to play a pivotal role in our continued success. The position is a mixed role with a strong element of Statutory Audit work, together with Accounts prep, Tax work and client liaison. This role can be based in Sleaford or Newark.

What You'll Be Doing

• Planning and Scoping the Audit
  • Define the audit objectives, scope, and criteria.
  • Understand the client's operations, risks, and internal controls.
  • Develop a detailed audit plan and allocate responsibilities to the audit team.
• Leading the Audit Team
  • Supervise and coordinate audit team members.
  • Ensure audit tasks are completed efficiently and within deadlines.
  • Provide guidance, resolve conflicts, and ensure audit methodology is followed.
• Conducting the Audit
  • Lead interviews and site visits.
  • Review financial records, processes, controls, and compliance documentation.
  • Identify risks, gaps, and non-conformities.
  • Ensure evidence is properly gathered and documented.
• Reporting
  • Compile and review audit findings.
  • Draft audit reports, summarising conclusions and recommendations.
  • Present findings to senior management or stakeholders.
  • Suggest corrective actions and follow up on implementation if necessary.
• Liaison and Communication
  • Act as the primary contact between the audit firm and the client.
  • Manage expectations, timelines, and queries.
  • Ensure transparency and clear communication throughout the audit.
• Quality Assurance and Compliance
  • Ensure audits meet professional standards (e.g., ISA, ISO, or sector-specific frameworks).
  • Keep up-to-date with changes in laws, regulations, and audit best practices.

What You'll Need to Succeed

• Part or exam qualified, ACCA, ACA (unless already an experienced audit lead)
• Must have a minimum of 2 years Audit and Accounting experience
• Teamwork and critical, collaborative thinking
• Accuracy of work and effectiveness
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Develop a professional/technical knowledge
• Develop a broad range of IT skills
• Engage with formal training, including on the job training

Why Join Duncan & Toplis?

From flexible working arrangements and time-matched volunteer hours to online fitness classes and mental health support, at Duncan & Toplis we're committed to helping our people maintain a healthy and balanced lifestyle. We help our team to develop their talents and encourage ambitious individuals to progress their careers and expand their professional and personal capability with fully supported training and CPD. Our purpose 'to positively impact our people, communities, and the world around us' sits at our core, and our inherent values of trust, partnership, and inclusivity emphasise this.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced individual with broad and in-depth technical knowledge of statutory accounting and compliance to play a key role in supporting our client work and internal teams. This role is ideal for someone with a passion for technical accuracy, continuous improvement, and collaborative problem-solving. You'll be a trusted point of reference for technical matters across the firm and will play a central role in supporting high-quality service delivery to our clients.