NFP Audit Review Lead – London

PKF Littlejohn is one of the leading challenger firms in the UK with offices in London, Leeds and Manchester. We provide a full range of audit, accountancy, tax and advisory services, and are experts at simplifying complexity. We are particularly well-known for working with complex clients with challenging issues in fast-moving and highly technical areas, such as the insurance industry, the global capital markets and the not for profit sector.

The Not for Profit (NFP) team has an impressive pool of knowledge and experience to share and from which to learn. The team is led by partners with extensive experience in the sector; not only of auditing and advising large, high profile NFP entities but some have also seen things from the client’s side where they have run and assisted in the governance of global international charities.

NFP organisations are distinguished by the fact that they exist for a social purpose, rather than by what they do day to day. This means the NFP world encompasses everything from radical campaigning organisations to big businesses with a public benefit remit. This is an exciting time for anyone with an interest in the sector to be joining our NFP team and in return for your enthusiasm to develop and learn we can offer you the opportunity to build a rewarding career.

Responsibilities

As part of the reviewing team you will be expected to review the basic compliance work carried out by a team of 24 junior work placement students on Annual Governance and Accountability Returns (AGARs) completed by smaller authorities, mainly Parish Councils. There are around 3,500 returns to be reviewed and your work will be subject to review and sign-off by an engagement lead prior to the issue of our external auditor report and certificate.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Using our bespoke software:
• Review the work programme completed by the juniors covering the AGAR and supporting documentation submitted by the smaller authorities;
• Consider the appropriateness of the conclusions drawn by the juniors with reference to the information provided by the smaller authorities;
• Identify where insufficient information or explanations have been received and raise review points for the juniors team to follow up with the smaller authority;
• Review the draft external auditor report and certificate prepared by the juniors and amend or approve, as necessary, using the standard wordings provided;
• Sign off the audit file and pass to an engagement lead for final sign off;
• Draw unusual matters and matters of significance to the review team’s attention to ensure a consistent approach is adopted across the team;
• Update the database records to reflect the current position for each review;
• Respond to queries raised by the pool of juniors;
• Liaise with clerks via email and phone, where necessary;
• Jointly manage the performance of the summer placement team members to ensure the team’s performance is optimised and the minimum completion target is met.

Comprehensive Training Will Be Provided In The Following Areas

• The review process;
• Background to the reviews;
• The Firm’s procedures (including our approach to the reviews and administrative processes such as timesheets);
• The Practitioners’ Guide;
• Identifying areas where further work is required;
• Use of bespoke software and our Smaller Authorities Database.

Person Specification

• Prior experience in reviewing and providing feedback on junior colleagues’ work is essential
• Ideally ACCA part qualified
• Finance background is preferred
• Strong analytical skills
• Common sense
• Training, supervision and coordination of junior team members
• Excellent organisation skills and a confident manner
• Methodical with an eye for detail and strong follow through
• Professional attitude, appearance and demeanour
• Ability to stay calm under pressure and with a “can-do” attitude
• Ability to set priorities independently
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to exercise tact, good judgement and diplomacy
• Good time management skills
• Flexible in approach to work and willing to learn new skills
• Completes tasks on time
• Takes responsibility
• Uses initiative

This position requires on site attendance at our London office Monday to Friday.