Commercial Audit Manager - Public Interest in Birmingham

Alternatively, Grant Thornton

At Grant Thornton we do things differently - looking to the future, driving ambitious growth and pioneering positive change in our industry. Providing audit, tax and advisory services, we empower clients through strategic insight, curiosity, and genuine partnership. And we empower our people with real opportunity, an inclusive culture and work life balance. A true alternative.

With over 5,000 people in the UK, and a presence in 150 global markets, we're on an ambitious journey, from great to exceptional, and we need the best people to help us achieve our potential. And with that comes the opportunity to help redefine what our industry looks like, and what you want from your career.

Job Description:

Manager, Public Interest (PI) Audit

Grant Thornton UK LLP | Audit | Birmingham

A look into the role

The PI Audit Manager owns delivery of audit engagements for our largest and most scrutinised clients, end to end. This is a role with full accountability for audit quality, client relationship management, team leadership and financial performance on each engagement, operating under the heightened regulatory expectations that apply to Public Interest entities. The role also carries a wider responsibility for developing people and building the PI practice across the Birmingham office and the Midlands market.

Here are some things you can expect from this role:

Key Responsibilities

• Audit quality and technical delivery Owns the design and oversight of audit strategy for each engagement, including risk assessment and materiality, ensuring full compliance with ISAs (UK), the firm's methodology and PI-specific regulatory requirements. Takes personal responsibility for the quality of the audit file, exercising sound judgement on complex and contentious areas and escalating to the Engagement Leader only where genuinely needed. Leads on enhanced auditor reporting requirements applicable to PIs, including key audit matters and going concern disclosures, and maintains independence and ethical compliance across the portfolio.
• Client and stakeholder management Acts as the day-to-day point of contact for the client, leading client meetings and presenting audit findings to Audit Committees where appropriate. Manages client expectations proactively on timetable, deliverables and fees, so surprises are the exception rather than the norm.
• People leadership Leads the engagement team day to day, coaching Assistant Managers and Associates in real time and through formal appraisals. Acts as people manager and career coach for a number of public interest associates, and contributes to the wider talent and inclusion agenda in the Birmingham office.
• Financial and commercial management Owns the engagement budget, taking corrective action before overruns occur and leading fee discussions with clients where scope changes arise. Identifies opportunities to grow the PI portfolio and the wider Audit practice in the Midlands.
• Project management and delivery Plans and project manages the full audit cycle, from planning through fieldwork to completion, coordinating specialist input as needed. Produces or reviews all client deliverables, including the Audit Plan and Audit Findings Report, to a high technical standard.
• Risk, ethics and professional standards Adheres to the firm's risk management policies and acts with integrity and in line with the firm's values in all client and internal dealings. Maintains professional competence through mandatory training, applied consistently across engagements.

Skills and Attributes for Success

• High-Profile Contact: The day-to-day face of the firm for the client, building trust through technical credibility and leading client meetings, including presenting to Audit Committees where appropriate.
• Leadership Skills: Experience leading an engagement team, coaching Assistant Managers and Associates, and taking full accountability for audit quality and delivery on Public Interest engagements.
• Technical Expertise: Sound technical judgement across ISAs (UK), UK GAAP and IFRS, with the confidence to apply this to complex and contentious audit areas.

Qualifications and Experience

• Fully qualified as a chartered accountant (e.g. ACA, ACCA, CA, ICAS, ICAEW or international equivalent).
• Experience planning, leading and delivering major external audit and assurance engagements in a managerial capacity.
• Proven technical expertise in ISAs (UK), UK GAAP and IFRS, with knowledge of PI-specific regulatory requirements.

Knowing you're right for us

We're interested in professionals with a genuine creative vision and the confidence to make it happen. You can expect plenty of autonomy in this role,