Audit Manager

Overview

Department: Audit

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Manchester

Reporting To: Helen Mills

As one of the region's leading independent chartered accountants and business advisors, Cowgills has the expertise and knowledge to provide you with a full-service offering. Our independence ensures that we can tailor our approach to suit our clients' individual needs. We have over 200 talented, committed and engaged employees, totally focused on delivering financial guidance and growth strategies to our clients.

The Role

As an Audit Manager, you will lead and oversee audit assignments from planning to completion, working under the guidance of our senior managers and directors. You will play a key role in coordinating with clients, managing audit tasks, and ensuring high-quality work. You will lead junior team members on engagements, provide guidance and feedback, and handle day-to-day audit operations. This role can be based at our Manchester, Liverpool, Bolton or Wigan office.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage audit assignments, ensuring audits are completed on time and meet firm standards.
• Act as a primary contact for clients during engagements, handling queries and maintaining clear communication.
• Supervise junior team members, reviewing their work and providing constructive feedback to support their development.
• Take the lead on preparing budgets, monitoring progress, and addressing variances to ensure project efficiency.
• Take responsibility for billing activities by tracking time and resources to keep engagements within budget.
• Ensure compliance with auditing and accounting standards throughout each engagement.
• Foster a positive and collaborative team environment, addressing minor personnel matters as they arise.
• Liaise with Directors to ensure alignment with department objectives and smooth service delivery.
• Perform administrative and ad hoc tasks to facilitate efficient project flow.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Qualified Accountant: ACCA or equivalent qualification, with 2-4 years of post-qualification experience.
• Audit Practice Experience: Proven experience in audit and accounts, with a solid understanding of quality and regulatory standards.
• Risk Awareness: Familiar with risk assessment and effective control measures within the audit process.
• Client Interaction: Skilled in managing client relationships and addressing their needs effectively.
• Team Leadership: Capable of guiding and supporting junior staff, fostering a productive team environment.
• Technical Knowledge: Up-to-date with relevant accounting and auditing standards, including FRS and IFRS.
• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical skills, with the ability to identify issues and suggest practical solutions.
• Software Proficiency: Experience with CaseWare and CCH is beneficial but not required.

You may be the sort of person who has:

• Effective time management: ability to prioritize and manage workload to meet deadlines.
• Organisational skills: keeps things in order and plans effectively.
• Collaborative: works well with others to achieve common goals, and build client relationships.
• Good communication skills: able to convey information clearly and effectively.
• Initiative / Accountability: takes proactive steps and shows a willingness to take on responsibilities.

Benefits

People join Cowgills because of the positive and enjoyable culture that our people create, we can guarantee you'll really love working here. Incredible development and career growth. Life assurance. Pension plan. List of benefits including, access to counselling services and subsidised health.