Head of Audit in London

RecruitBlock is partnering with a growing international Accounting and Audit firm specialised in the Digital Assets & Web3 space to appoint a Head of Audit Quality, Compliance, Professional Standards & MLRO .This is a critical governance and leadership role , designed to take day-to-day ownership of audit quality, regulatory compliance, professional standards, and AML governance and strengthening the firm\’s control environment.The role sits at the heart of the firm\’s regulatory credibility , operating across ICAEW Practice Assurance, FRC standards, ISQM 1 & 2, and AML , and acting as a senior interface with both regulators and private equity owners.Firm Context The firm operates in a highly regulated UK audit environment , with increasing expectations around audit quality, governance, independence, and AML controls , particularly within a private equity ownership structure .This role exists to ensure the firm:Maintains consistently high audit qualityIs inspection-ready at all timesHas robust professional standards and AML governanceCan scale responsibly under PE ownershipRole Overview As Head of Audit Quality, Professional Standards & MLRO , you will assume end-to-end ownership of:Audit quality and ISQM 1 & 2Regulatory and practice assurance readinessProfessional standards, independence, and ethicsAML governance as Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO)You will act as the firm\’s internal authority and escalation point on audit quality, ethics, independence, and AML, while providing constructive challenge and support to partners and leadership.Key Responsibilities Audit Quality & ISQM 1 / ISQM 2 Leadership Own, maintain, and continuously enhance the firm\’s ISQM 1 system of quality management and ISQM 2 EQCR frameworkLead quality risk assessment, monitoring, remediation, and root cause analysisDesign and oversee internal audit file reviews (hot and cold), EQCRs and annual audit quality monitoring plansAct as internal authority on ISA interpretation and application, complex audit judgements and consistency of audit execution.Regulatory & Practice Assurance Oversight (ICAEW / FRC) Lead preparation for and management of ICAEW Practice Assurance visits, regulatory inspections and correspondence and remediation plans and follow-up actionsMaintain firm-wide compliance with ICAEW Audit Regulations, FRC Ethical Standard, CPD, competence, and training requirementsAct as senior escalation point for audit file quality concerns, independence or ethics issues and regulatory mattersIndependence, Ethics & Conflicts (Including PE Ownership) Own and operate the firm\’s independence and conflicts framework, PE-related conflict assessment and documentation and client acceptance and continuance governanceAdvise partners and leadership on permitted and prohibited services, safeguards, partner rotation, fee dependency and portfolio company conflicts and governance considerationsMLRO Responsibilities (AML Governance & Oversight) Act as the firm\’s Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) under the Money Laundering Regulations 2017Own and maintain firm-wide AML Risk Assessment, AML policies, procedures and controls, governance and reporting frameworkProvide senior oversight of client onboarding and acceptance, high-risk clients, jurisdictions, and services, ongoing monitoring and risk reassessmentAct as decision-maker for internal SARs, external SAR submissions.Maintain appropriate engagement with FCA and law enforcement.Ensure the AML function is adequately resourced, inspection-ready and supported.Act as senior professional standards and AML representative within a PE-backed governance structureLead audit quality and AML reporting to, the Board, PE owners and investorsSupport PE due diligence and ongoing governance reportingMaintain, audit quality and AML risk registers and regulatory dashboards and KPIsAudit Methodology & Standards Own and enhance audit methodology, templates, and guidancePartner Advisory, Challenge & Review Provide senior challenge and support on high-risk or complex audits, regulatory-sensitive or first-year engagements, group audits and complex structuresAct as independent internal reviewer on high-profile engagements and regulatory-exposed work.Candidate Profile Senior UK audit professional with 15+ years\’ experienceExtensive background in UK statutory audit, ICAEW-regulated environments, audit quality, compliance or professional standardsDemonstrable experience of ICAEW Practice Assurance inspections, ISQM 1 & 2 implementation and operation, FRC Ethical Standard application and AML governance and firm-wide risk assessmentPrevious experience as Audit Partner, Senior Director, Head of Audit Quality / Professional StandardsExperience as an MLRO or Deputy MLROEx-regulator or external monitoring reviewerQualifications Current or previous Responsible Individual (RI) status (desirable)AML / MLRO training and experience strongly preferredPersonal Attributes Senior credibility and professional gravitasIndependent mindset with strong ethical judgementCalm and assured under regulatory and inspection pressureComfortable operating at Board and PE-owner levelWhat is on offer Senior role within a leading digital asset and crypto focussed professional services business.Competitive compensation.Leadership role within a high growth, industry disrupting business.

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