Senior Auditor

Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience (details on application)

Locations: Durham, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, London

About Us

We are a specialist accountancy and finance recruitment agency, working closely with practices and businesses across the North East to help them find high-caliber talent. We are currently recruiting on behalf of one of our clients. This well-established and highly regarded accountancy practice is looking to strengthen its audit teams with three experienced audit seniors across its Durham, Middlesbrough, and Newcastle offices. Our client works with a diverse portfolio of owner-managed businesses, SMEs, charities, and larger corporate entities and is known for its technical excellence, strong client relationships, and genuine investment in staff development.

The Role

On behalf of our client, we are looking for three Audit Seniors to lead audit fieldwork across a varied client portfolio, manage junior team members on assignment, and act as a key point of contact for clients throughout the audit process. This is a full-time, office-based role with some flexibility on base location depending on client allocation and travel between the three sites. The successful candidates will plan and execute statutory audits in accordance with UK auditing standards, identify risk areas, review financial statements, and report findings to audit managers and partners, while also supporting the development of trainees within the team. You should have the legal right to work in the UK.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, lead and complete external audit assignments on-site and remotely across a mixed portfolio of clients, from owner-managed businesses to larger corporate entities
• Take ownership of the audit file from planning through to completion, ensuring compliance with ISAs (UK), the Companies Act 2006, and firm audit methodology
• Perform and review substantive testing, control testing, and analytical review procedures, ensuring work is properly evidenced and documented
• Supervise, coach and review the work of Audit Semi-Seniors, trainees, and Apprentices on assignment, providing on-the-job training and constructive feedback
• Identify accounting and audit risks or issues during fieldwork; discuss these with clients where appropriate; and propose practical solutions
• Draft statutory financial statements under UK GAAP (FRS 102) or IFRS as applicable, ready for Manager/Partner review
• Manage assignment budgets, timelines and team allocation, keeping Managers and Partners informed of progress, overruns and issues
• Liaise directly with clients throughout the audit process to build strong working relationships and ensure a smooth, professional service
• Attend client sites as required, including travel between the Durham, Middlesbrough and Newcastle offices
• Support with ad hoc advisory work, such as accounts preparation, corporation tax computations, and internal control reviews, where required
• Keep up-to-date with changes in auditing standards, financial reporting requirements, and relevant UK legislation

Qualifications & Skills

• ACA, ACCA, or equivalent qualification or finalist nearing qualification with relevant practice experience
• Minimum of 3 years' external audit experience gained within a UK accountancy practice
• Strong working knowledge of ISAs (UK), UK GAAP (FRS 102) and, ideally, IFRS
• Practical experience preparing statutory accounts and leading audit fieldwork with minimal supervision
• Experience using audit and accounts production software (e.g. CaseWare, Mercia, CCH, IDEA) and familiarity with cloud accounting packages (Xero, QuickBooks, Sage)
• Demonstrated ability to plan and manage assignments, including budgeting, timelines and team allocation
• Experience supervising, coaching or reviewing the work of junior audit staff
• Strong analytical skills with excellent attention to detail
• Confident, professional communication style, both written and client-facing
• Full UK driving license and access to a vehicle, as travel between the Durham, Middlesbrough and Newcastle offices and to client premises is required

What's On Offer

• Our client offers a strong benefits package, including:
• Competitive salary, reviewed annually and benchmarked against the regional market
• 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with length of service
• Auto-enrolment pension scheme with enhanced employer contributions
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements outside of peak audit season
• Study support and paid study leave for those completing professional qualifications
• Life assurance and employee assistance programs
• Paid mileage for travel between offices and to client sites
• Regular team social events and a supportive, down-to-earth culture
• Clear progression pathway towards Audit Manager

We are committed to equality of opportunity for all applicants and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of background. All applications will be handled confidentially in line with our data protection policy.