At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a blend of audit and advisory services, focusing on client relationships and business growth.
- Company: Dynamic, advisory-led firm with a modern and collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus potential, hybrid working, and clear path to partnership.
- Other info: Opportunity to shape a team and service offering while working with international clients.
- Why this job: Transition from traditional audit to impactful advisory work in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: ACA or ACCA qualified with strong audit background and desire for advisory.
The predicted salary is between 85000 - 105000 € per year.
Director / Partner Designate opportunity in a high-growth, advisory-led firm.
Your new firm is a fast-growing, privately owned Advisory-led firm where audit exists but does not define the business. The client base is ambitious, entrepreneurial and increasingly international, with complex needs that go far beyond compliance. Audit is delivered properly, but the real focus is on adding value, building relationships, and driving commercial outcomes.
Culturally, it's modern, collaborative and forward-thinking. There's real investment in systems, people and ideas. Decisions happen quickly, senior leadership is accessible, and progression is based on impact - not time served. The leadership team is young, energetic and genuinely growth-focused. It's a business that rewards initiative and gives people the space to build something meaningful.
If you enjoy being client-facing, commercially involved, and not defined purely by audit cycles, this environment will suit you.
Your new role is a newly created Director / Partner Designate role, with a clear emphasis on growing a Business Advisory offering alongside a selective, high-quality audit portfolio. You won't be stepping into a purely audit-led role. Instead, your remit will be balanced towards relationship ownership, advisory work and growth - with audit acting as a gateway, not a limitation.
Key responsibilities include:
- Owning a portfolio that blends audit and advisory, with a clear shift towards higher-value work
- Developing and deepening client relationships beyond year-end engagements
- Driving business development, particularly across advisory services
- Hiring, mentoring and shaping a team aligned to a more commercial service offering
- Working closely with senior leadership on service line growth and positioning
This is ideal for someone who has strong audit foundations but doesn't want to remain in a purely compliance-driven seat long term.
What you'll need to succeed:
- ACA or ACCA qualified (CTA / RI support available if required)
- Solid audit background, with exposure to broader advisory or a clear desire to move in that direction
- Experience managing client relationships, ideally with some portfolio responsibility
- Background within a mid-tier, independent or growth-focused firm
- A commercial mindset - someone who naturally looks beyond the audit file
- A people-focused leadership style
- The ambition to build a client base and shape a service offering
What you'll get in return:
- £85,000 - £105,000 + bonus
- A genuine and achievable route to Partner / Equity Partner
- The opportunity to transition from audit-heavy work into a more advisory-led role
- Hybrid working and exposure to complex, international clients
- Strong internal support, without the bureaucracy of a larger firm
- The chance to build a team and portfolio that reflects your strengths
If you're an Audit Manager or Senior Manager starting to lean into advisory, or a Director who wants to rebalance their role away from pure audit, this is a rare opportunity to accelerate that shift. Apply now for a confidential conversation. Please note: due to regulatory and client-facing requirements, applicants must be UK qualified and have the right to work in the UK. Sponsorship is not available.
Director - Audit employer: Hays
Join a dynamic, privately owned advisory-led firm that prioritises growth and innovation over traditional audit practices. With a modern and collaborative work culture, this role offers significant opportunities for professional development, including a clear pathway to Partner or Equity Partner. Enjoy the benefits of hybrid working, exposure to complex international clients, and the chance to shape a high-value advisory service while building meaningful client relationships.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director - Audit
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your personality! When you get that interview, let your passion for advisory shine through. Talk about your experiences and how they’ve shaped your approach to client relationships. Remember, they want someone who fits their modern, collaborative culture.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky questions! Think about how you can demonstrate your commercial mindset and leadership style. Have examples ready that show how you've driven business development or mentored a team. This is your chance to stand out!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search. Let’s make this happen together!
We think you need these skills to ace Director - Audit
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Personality:When writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see who you are beyond your qualifications. Use a conversational tone and share your passion for advisory work and client relationships.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role. Highlight your audit experience but also emphasise any advisory work you've done. We’re looking for someone who can blend both worlds, so make that clear in your application!
Be Specific About Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples of how you've added value in previous roles. This will help us see the impact you've made and how you can contribute to our growth-focused culture.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays
✨Know Your Value Proposition
Before the interview, take some time to reflect on what makes you unique. Think about your audit experience and how it can translate into advisory work. Be ready to articulate how your background can add value to their ambitious client base.
✨Showcase Your Relationship Skills
This role is all about building relationships, so prepare examples of how you've successfully managed client relationships in the past. Highlight any instances where you've gone beyond compliance to deliver real value to clients.
✨Demonstrate a Commercial Mindset
The firm is looking for someone who thinks beyond the audit file. Be prepared to discuss how you've identified opportunities for growth or improvement in previous roles. Show them that you’re not just an auditor but a strategic partner.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street. Prepare thoughtful questions that show your interest in their advisory services and how you can contribute to their growth. This will demonstrate your enthusiasm for the role and help you gauge if the firm is the right fit for you.
