At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team in blending audit and advisory services for ambitious clients.
- Company: Fast-growing, 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 service offering and build a supportive team.
- Why this job: Transition from traditional audit to impactful advisory work with real client relationships.
- Qualifications: ACA or ACCA qualified with strong audit background and commercial mindset.
The predicted salary is between 85000 - 105000 € per year.
Director / Partner Designate opportunity in a high-growth, advisory-led firm.
Your new firm: This isn’t a traditional audit-heavy practice ticking boxes in the background. It’s a fast-growing, privately owned Advisory-led firm where audit exists - but it doesn’t 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: This 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.
- 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
What you need to do now: 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 in London employer: Hays
Join a dynamic and forward-thinking advisory-led firm that prioritises growth, collaboration, and innovation. With a strong focus on client relationships and value-added services, this role offers the unique opportunity to transition from traditional audit work into a more advisory-focused position, all while enjoying a supportive culture that fosters personal and professional development. Located in a vibrant environment, you'll benefit from hybrid working arrangements and the chance to shape your own team and portfolio, making a meaningful impact in a high-growth setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director - Audit in London
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend networking events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can’t.
✨Showcase Your Value
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, focus on how you can add value to their firm. Share specific examples of how you've driven commercial outcomes or built strong client relationships in the past. Make it clear that you’re not just another auditor!
✨Be Ready for the Interview
Prepare for interviews by researching the firm’s culture and values. Think about how your experience aligns with their advisory-led approach. Practice answering questions that highlight your leadership style and commercial mindset, so you can impress them with your fit for the role.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our firm. Let’s make this happen together!
We think you need these skills to ace Director - Audit in London
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 friendly tone and share your passion for advisory work and building 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!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to tell us why you’re the perfect fit for this Director role. Discuss your vision for growing a business advisory offering and how you plan to build strong client relationships. Keep it engaging and concise!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people quickly. Plus, it shows us you’re proactive and keen to join our modern, collaborative culture!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays
✨Know Your Value Proposition
Before the interview, think about how your audit experience can translate into advisory roles. Be ready to discuss specific examples where you've added value beyond compliance, showcasing your commercial mindset and relationship-building skills.
✨Research the Firm's Culture
This firm prides itself on being modern and collaborative. Familiarise yourself with their values and recent projects. During the interview, mention how your leadership style aligns with their forward-thinking approach and how you can contribute to their growth-focused culture.
✨Prepare for Client-Facing Scenarios
Since the role involves managing client relationships, prepare to discuss past experiences where you've successfully navigated complex client needs. Think of scenarios that highlight your ability to drive business development and deepen client connections.
✨Showcase Your Ambition
The firm is looking for someone who wants to build a client base and shape a service offering. Be clear about your career aspirations and how this role fits into your long-term goals. Demonstrating your ambition will resonate well with the leadership team.
