Audit Manager - Asset Management in London

Join our Financial Services team and be part of an established specialist audit and assurance practice. Our team works with a varied portfolio of FCA-regulated clients, including investment firms, payment institutions, e-money institutions and insurance intermediaries. As a CASS Audit Manager, you will take the lead on a portfolio of CASS audits working closely with partners, directors, and junior team members to deliver high-quality work on time and within budget. This role offers the opportunity to develop deep technical expertise in a fast-evolving regulatory area, while building strong client relationships and supporting the continued growth of our Financial Services offering. For candidates seeking broader exposure, the role can include a mix of CASS/Safeguarding and external audit assignments.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of CASS audit clients.
• Lead CASS audits from planning through to completion.
• Plan engagements, perform risk assessments and identify key CASS controls.
• Review client money, custody asset and safeguarding arrangements, including reconciliations, governance arrangements, control frameworks and breach management processes.
• Design and review audit testing, including substantive, analytical and controls-based procedures.
• Identify key issues that may affect audit or assurance opinions and escalate these to directors and partners with clear recommendations.
• Prepare and review audit completion documentation, including audit highlights reports, CASS reports and summaries of findings.
• Mentor, train and support trainees, part-qualified staff and newly qualified team members.
• Communicate findings, recommendations and key regulatory matters clearly to clients, managers and partners.
• Liaise with Compliance, Risk, Finance, Operations, IT audit and other specialist teams to ensure a coordinated service to clients.
• Monitor engagement progress, budgets, recoverability and deadlines, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency while maintaining quality.
• Keep up to date with FCA rules, regulatory developments and industry practice relating to CASS, safeguarding and financial services assurance.
• Ensure all work is completed in accordance with regulatory requirements, professional standards and firm procedures.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• ACA or ACCA qualified (or equivalent).
• Current Audit Manager, or experienced Assistant Manager, with experience managing audit or assurance engagements.
• Strong Financial Services audit experience, ideally including investment firms, payment institutions, e-money institutions or other FCA-regulated businesses.
• Strong experience of CASS audits, particularly CASS 6, 7 and 8.
• Good understanding of the FCA CASS rules, safeguarding requirements and wider regulatory expectations for financial services firms.
• Strong technical audit and accounting knowledge, including UK GAAP and auditing standards.
• Experience reviewing reconciliations, control frameworks, governance arrangements and risk management processes.
• Ability to identify control deficiencies, regulatory issues and practical recommendations for remediation.
• Experience supervising, coaching and developing junior team members.
• Adaptable and responsive to changing priorities, regulatory developments and client needs.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to delivering high-quality work.
• Experience in audit quality, technical review or regulatory assurance would be advantageous.

Benefits

• Department: Advice, Audit & Accounts
• Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time
• Workplace type: Hybrid