Assistant Manager - Third-Party Control Assurance in London

In response to client demand, evolving audit standards and the continued growth of the Technology Risk & Controls Assurance (TRCA) team, Moore Kingston Smith is looking for an Assistant Manager to help develop our Third-Party Control Assurance capability and deliver engagements across third-party assurance, SOC and IT Assurance.

The role will have a strong focus on delivering Third Party Control Assurance engagements, including the review and evaluation of outsourced service provider controls, SOC 1 and SOC 2 reports, complementary user entity controls, bridge letters, subservice organisation considerations and other third-party assurance evidence used to support audit and assurance conclusions.

As an Assistant Manager, the individual will also lead and perform IT Assurance procedures across TRCA workstreams. This includes understanding and assessing IT environments, identifying risks arising from the use of IT, evaluating IT general controls, application controls, interfaces, automated controls and IPE, and supporting audit teams in accordance with ISA 315, ISA 330, ISA 402 and other relevant assurance frameworks.

This is a key growth role within TRCA. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to help develop and grow the Third-Party Control Assurance function as part of the wider TRCA team, deliver third-party engagements, support SOC delivery, contribute to methodology development, and work closely with Finance Audit teams, Partners and clients.

• Plan, lead, and deliver SOC 1 and SOC 2 engagements (Type 1 and Type 2) across a portfolio of service organisation clients covering scoping, planning, fieldwork, review, and report issuance ensuring quality delivery within scope, time, and budget as a key contributor to the Third Party and Control Assurance function.
• Perform IT Assurance Audit work across all TRCA pipelines, including ISA 315 IT risk assessments, CAAS engagements, and integrated audit support collaborating closely with Finance Audit teams and Engagement Partners to evaluate key applications, identify IT-dependent controls, and support financial statement assertions under ISA 315/330.
• Plan and deliver IT Assurance procedures across TRCA workstreams, including IT external audit support, ITGC testing, application control testing, IPE testing, data interface reviews, IT internal audit and technology risk reviews.
• Work closely with Finance Audit teams and Partners to understand financial reporting processes, key applications, data flows, automated controls and IT-dependent controls that support financial statement assertions.
• Supervise and support engagement teams in executing IT audit and assurance procedures, ensuring workpapers are clear, evidence-based, methodology compliant and suitable for internal and external review.
• Support business development by contributing to proposals, scoping discussions, fee estimates, client meetings and cross-selling opportunities across TRCA, SOC and third-party assurance services.
• Drive continuous improvement of TRCA methodology, including standardised work programmes, third-party assurance review templates, SOC mapping tools, evidence trackers and quality review procedures.
• Coach, supervise and review the work of junior team members, helping to build technical capability across IT Assurance, SOC delivery and Third-Party Control Assurance.
• Support training, lunch and learn sessions, methodology updates and knowledge sharing across TRCA and the wider audit practice.

• Strong understanding of ISA 315, ISA 330, ISA 402 and ISA 500, including how IT risks, outsourced service providers and third-party controls impact financial reporting.
• Experience reviewing SOC 1, SOC 2, ISAE 3402, ISAE 3000 or equivalent third-party assurance reports and assessing their relevance for audit reliance.
• Experience delivering IT Assurance, SOC 1, SOC 2, IT internal audit, technology risk or regulatory assurance engagements.
• Proficient in testing ITGCs, IT application controls, automated controls, interfaces and IPE across varied system environments.
• Good knowledge of ERP systems, SaaS platforms, cloud environments and outsourced technology service models.
• Familiarity with COSO, COBIT, ISO 27001, NIST and AICPA Trust Services Criteria.
• Strong analytical, documentation, evidence review and report writing skills.
• Ability to manage multiple engagements, prioritise competing deadlines and deliver high-quality work within agreed scope, budget and timetable.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to communicate clearly with Finance Audit teams, Partners, client management and third-party service providers.
• Ability to identify control gaps, assess audit impact and develop practical recommendations for remediation.
• Experience coaching junior team members and reviewing workpapers to a high professional standard.
• CISA or equivalent qualification preferred, or active progress towards a relevant certification.