Manager - Payments Audit in Belfast

VANRATH is delighted to be working with an award-winning, specialist financial services consultancy to recruit a Manager for its growing Payments Audit team. This is an excellent opportunity to join a highly regarded organisation with an outstanding reputation for the quality of its work, the expertise of its people and, importantly, its workplace culture. Operating across the UK and Europe, the organisation provides specialist regulatory, compliance and assurance services to businesses across the payments, financial services, capital markets and digital assets sectors.

With an established reputation and ambitious growth plans, this is an exciting time to join the business. The company is recognised as a Great Place to Work and holds Diversity Mark accreditation, reflecting its genuine commitment to creating an inclusive, supportive and progressive working environment. What really sets this organisation apart is its investment in its people. Through a dedicated learning and development strategy, colleagues are encouraged to develop their expertise, take ownership of their careers and achieve their professional ambitions.

The Role

As Manager within the Payments Audit team, you will play a key role in delivering high-quality audit, assurance and regulatory compliance services to an established and diverse client base. Working alongside highly experienced industry specialists, you will help clients navigate complex regulatory requirements, strengthen their governance and controls, and achieve their wider compliance objectives. You will take ownership of client engagements, provide commercially focused advice and develop trusted relationships with senior stakeholders. Alongside this, you will lead, coach and develop junior colleagues, contributing to the continued growth and success of the Payments practice. This is a varied position offering exposure to an interesting portfolio of clients and complex regulatory projects, with the opportunity to develop your own technical specialisms and influence the direction of a growing consultancy.

What You Will Do

• Lead and deliver multiple regulatory compliance audits across the payments sector.
• Review and challenge clients' governance arrangements, systems and controls, providing practical recommendations to improve regulatory compliance.
• Deliver audit and assurance engagements covering areas including financial crime, information security, Consumer Duty and safeguarding.
• Provide clear, pragmatic regulatory advice, maintaining an up-to-date understanding of relevant FCA requirements, legislation and industry best practice.
• Build strong relationships with clients, understanding their businesses and supporting the development and implementation of their regulatory strategies.
• Manage, mentor and develop junior team members through coaching, training, feedback and ongoing support.
• Oversee both onsite and remote client engagements, ensuring high-quality delivery and reporting.
• Identify opportunities to develop existing client relationships and contribute to new business proposals and wider business development activity.
• Represent the business at relevant industry events and conferences.
• Contribute to the continued development and growth of the Payments Audit practice.

What's in It for You?

This is an opportunity to join a business that genuinely places its people at the centre of its success. The organisation offers a particularly attractive working environment, combining the technical challenge and client exposure of a specialist consultancy with a collaborative, supportive and progressive culture. Benefits include:

• The opportunity to join an award-winning, rapidly growing financial services consultancy.
• Work alongside recognised industry experts in governance, risk and regulatory compliance.
• Genuine career progression opportunities within an expanding business.
• A strong commitment to professional development through bespoke learning programmes and ongoing investment in employees.
• Hybrid working, with flexibility to work remotely and collaboratively in person.
• Private medical cover and pension.
• Employee recognition through an ambassador awards programme.
• A vibrant social calendar, with opportunities to connect with colleagues and support charitable initiatives.

The company is committed to diversity, inclusion and creating an environment where people feel valued, supported and able to thrive. This is reflected in its external workplace accreditations and, more importantly, its approach to developing and retaining its people.

Requirements

• At least five years' relevant auditing experience within a financial services or similarly regulated environment.
• Experience across areas such as financial crime, information security, Consumer Duty and safeguarding.
• Previous experience managing, coaching and developing team members.
• A practical understanding of regulatory compliance frameworks, industry best practice and FCA expectations.
• The ability to translate complex regulatory requirements into clear, commercially focused recommendations.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
• Experience managing client engagements and influencing senior stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce clear reports and present findings.
• Strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple engagements.
• A proactive, commercially minded approach, with an interest in business development and growing client relationships.

Desirable:

• Further professional development or relevant memberships, such as ACAMS, ICA or CISI.

What's the next step?

If you think this role may be of interest to you, or you wish to discuss any other senior accountancy jobs in Northern Ireland, please apply via the link below or contact Emma Jayne Bowen at VANRATH or on LinkedIn in the strictest confidence.