Audit Director: based in Berwick-upon-Tweed

Location: Berwick-upon-Tweed, with the ability to work flexibly.

We are looking for an ambitious individual seeking to progress their external audit career who is keen to become involved in the overall management and strategic direction of our growing audit team whilst maintaining involvement with a portfolio of audit clients, overseeing the effective and efficient execution of statutory audits in both the profit and not-for-profit sectors.

The Role:

You will manage a portfolio of clients delivering a high quality audit and assurance service. You will plan staffing and resource for assignments, and manage audits from planning to completion within agreed budgets and timescales. We are proud of our reputation for ongoing development. This role provides the opportunity to coach and develop other members of the audit team and enable them to grow their knowledge, experience, and confidence.

Department Activities:

• Assist in ensuring the smooth day to day management of the audit department, including scheduling client work, formulating audit teams, line managing staff;
• Assist partners in controlling audit costs and billing;
• Develop and maintain client relationships and identify new business development opportunities;
• Coach and develop team members to achieve technical competencies and efficient performance;
• Provide technical expertise, providing advice and leadership to the audit team and client;
• Assisting the audit partners in ensuring standards and procedures are maintained by the whole team.

Engagement Specific Activities:

• Manage the engagements profitably by leading the team to perform efficiently;
• Liaise with the client to arrange the client planning and completion meetings;
• Oversee the preparation of a budget during the planning stage in line with the agreed audit fee;
• Monitor the assurance team’s progress against the plan and alter it when needed;
• Liaise with the engagement partner about progress of the audit and arrange meetings with the assurance team and clients when necessary;
• Coach and develop people by sharing knowledge with team members and helping team members attain experiences that cultivate technical competencies;
• Conduct timely performance reviews and provide performance feedback/on-the-job training;
• Develop and maintain long-term productive client relationships and networks;
• Review the work completed by the senior and assistant ahead of the RI review. Ensure that review points are actioned in a timely manner.

The Person:

This is a role for an ambitious candidate who has a professional qualification (ACA, ICAS, ACCA or equivalent) and significant experience managing audits from planning to completion with aspirations to further their career towards becoming an RI. Other skills and experience required include:

• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, with the ability to build strong and trusted relationships with a range of clients and your own team;
• Strong organisational skills to prioritise and manage high volumes of work and multiple stakeholders;
• Ability to manage complex projects and find solutions to problems at an early stage to meet agreed deadlines;
• The ability to identify and provide recommendations for improvements to clients’ systems and internal controls;
• Experience of using Microsoft Office Excel, Word and audit software;
• A full driving licence would be desirable as the role is primarily based at our Berwick office and you will be visiting clients within the surrounding areas.

Who we are:

Greaves West & Ayre is a leading Chartered Accountancy firm, who have been advising and supporting clients across the UK for over 100 years. With offices across the North East of England and East Lothian, we are proud to have provided specialist advice to families and businesses across the generations. Your salary will be competitive, with an enhanced overtime rate, pension scheme, death in service and other benefits. A role at GWA will enable you to achieve the lifestyle and career ambitions you are looking for. If you feel you have the skills and experience to be successful within this role, we would love to hear from you.