Vacancy – Audit Senior – Leeds

The SMH Group offers a comprehensive suite of financial services to our clients including Accountancy, Financial Services, Wills & Probate, Commercial Finance, Residential Mortgages and Corporate Finance. We have over 220 employees across our 11 offices throughout the Yorkshire and Derbyshire region. At SMH Group, we truly believe our people are our greatest strength, which is why we want to give them the confidence to grow and shape their future. As we continue to grow as a business, we are guided by our core behaviours, being client centric, acting as one firm, and caring by doing the right thing for our people, clients, and communities.

With clients and our people at the forefront of everything we do, we leave no stone unturned to deliver consistent and impactful results. We foster a culture of respect, support, and inclusion within our teams. If you are looking to be part of a purpose-driven team, we would love to hear from you.

This is an excellent progression opportunity for a qualified Audit Senior to join our growing audit team covering North and West Yorkshire and surrounding areas. Support with progression and new challenges will be provided, and the continued growth of the business offers opportunities for an expanding role.

As an audit role, it requires being at client sites much of the time. You will be working with audit teams from our Leeds, Huddersfield, Wakefield, Harrogate, and occasionally Sheffield offices, giving flexibility over which office you are based at. You will also be involved in tendering for new client opportunities. There is a clear pathway to progression to Audit Manager for candidates who demonstrate the ability to bring new opportunities to the Group and maintain a strong market presence. With successful growth in this region, we will support you to achieve your career ambitions.

What will you be doing in the role?

• You will provide efficient support and assistance to directors and managers, ensuring deadlines are met, technical work is completed in line with firm procedures, and the highest standards of client care are maintained.
• The role carries responsibility for the completion of audit and accounting assignments for our client base, in line with the firm’s technical standards and procedures.

Job purpose:

• Leading audit fieldwork teams, including:
• Planning and budgeting assignments prior to commencement
• Completion of audit work on key risk areas
• Liaising with clients to resolve queries, escalating complex matters to manager or director level
• Reviewing work undertaken by trainees, ensuring it is ready for manager or director review
• Working to and meeting internal and external deadlines
• Preparing statutory financial statements, primarily under UK GAAP, and drafting tax computations
• Coaching junior team members and providing constructive feedback to promote best practice
• Providing excellent client care
• Assisting with billing and overseeing recoveries
• Ensuring the firm’s quality assurance procedures are maintained
• Identifying marketing opportunities, both for additional services with existing clients and introducing new clients to the firm, including building your own external networks

Who are we looking for?

The person:

• Enthusiastic about the role and future progression
• Client-facing experience
• Strong technical knowledge and commitment to quality
• Ability to undertake audit fieldwork independently

Skills and experience:

• Experience of planning and leading external audits within an accountancy practice
• Knowledge of FRS 102 and ideally the Charities SORP
• Client-facing experience
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Experience of audit software, with MyWorkpapers experience being advantageous
• Confidence attending networking events on behalf of SMH Group

What qualifications do you need?

ACA or ACCA qualified

Our benefits and perks:

• Salary of £40,000 to £45,000 depending on experience
• 37.5 hours per week, with travel required for audit visits
• Flexible working around core hours of 10.30am to 4.00pm when in the office
• Study support for professional qualifications
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase up to 5 additional days
• Eye tests
• Social events
• Volunteering opportunities
• Staff discounts on Wills, LPAs, and residential mortgages