Audit Manager - Banking and Lending

Audit Manager - Banking & Lending Manchester/Birmingham About the Company W Talent Finance is a specialist recruitment partner dedicated to placing high-calibre accounting professionals across both practice and commerce & industry markets worldwide. With a deep understanding of the finance landscape, we support clients ranging from leading professional services firms to established regional practices and multi-service professional groups, delivering tailored talent solutions that drive business performance. We are partnering with a growing mid-tier accountancy and professional services firm with an established audit practice and a strong reputation for advising middle-market businesses. The firm is continuing to invest in its banking and lending audit offering, with a particular focus on regulated and unregulated lenders. Working with a diverse portfolio of financial services clients, the business provides specialist audit expertise across complex lending arrangements, financial reporting and technical accounting matters. With ambitious growth plans and a commitment to developing its people, the firm offers an environment where experienced professionals can take ownership, build specialist expertise and play an important role in the continued development of the service line. The Role As an Audit Manager - Banking & Lending, you will take responsibility for managing a portfolio of audit engagements across the lending sector, working with clients ranging from specialist finance providers to established consumer and commercial lenders. You will play a key role in the delivery of high-quality statutory audits, with a particular emphasis on IFRS 9 and the audit of expected credit loss (ECL) models. The position will involve managing complex assignments, overseeing audit teams, maintaining strong client relationships and ensuring engagements are delivered in line with relevant standards and internal quality requirements. Alongside your client responsibilities, you will contribute to the continued growth of the banking and lending audit offering. This will include supporting business development activity, developing technical expertise across the team and working with national technical and training specialists to enhance audit methodologies and sector-specific knowledge. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Audit Manager with strong IFRS 9 expertise to join an ambitious mid-tier firm, develop their sector profile and contribute to the growth of a specialist audit team. Key Responsibilities Manage a portfolio of statutory audit engagements across the banking and lending sector, ensuring assignments are delivered to agreed deadlines and quality standards Lead audit engagements for regulated and unregulated lenders, overseeing planning, execution, completion and reporting Apply specialist knowledge of IFRS 9, with particular emphasis on expected credit loss accounting and auditing Review and challenge ECL methodologies, assumptions, model outputs and supporting documentation Oversee the audit of ECL models across a range of lending products, including mortgages, personal loans, credit cards and consumer finance Identify and resolve complex audit and accounting issues, consulting with technical specialists and senior stakeholders where appropriate Ensure audit work complies with applicable accounting standards, auditing requirements and internal quality procedures Manage engagement teams, allocating responsibilities, monitoring progress and ensuring work is completed efficiently Review audit files and provide clear, constructive feedback to team members Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, acting as a key point of contact for senior finance personnel and other stakeholders Attend and present at client audit committee meetings and board meetings where required Identify opportunities to improve audit efficiency, technical quality and consistency across lending sector engagements Work collaboratively with national technical and training teams to develop audit methodologies and guidance relating to IFRS 9 and other relevant technical matters Deliver technical training and support to colleagues, helping to build specialist banking and lending audit expertise Coach, mentor and develop junior team members, supporting their technical development and professional progression Contribute to recruitment, performance management and the wider development of the audit team Support business development initiatives, including identifying opportunities, preparing proposals, scoping engagements and participating in pitches Represent the firm at relevant industry events and professional forums, helping to strengthen its presence within the banking and lending market Contribute to the continued growth and strategic development of the firm's specialist financial services audit offering About You ACA, ACCA, CA or equivalent professional qualification Proven experience operating at Audit Manager level within an accountancy practice or professional services environment Strong technical knowledge of IFRS 9, particularly the accounting and auditing of expected credit losses Practical experience auditing ECL models and assessing the assumptions, methodologies and judgements underpinning impairment calculations Exposure to lending products such as mortgages, personal loans, credit cards, consumer finance or commercial lending Experience working with banking, financial services or specialist lending clients Strong understanding of statutory audit requirements, financial reporting standards and audit quality procedures Ability to manage multiple complex audit engagements and deliver work to demanding deadlines Proven leadership skills, with experience supervising, coaching and developing audit teams Confident managing client relationships and communicating complex technical matters clearly to senior stakeholders Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to challenge assumptions and exercise professional judgement Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills Commercially aware, with an interest in contributing to business development and the growth of a specialist service line A proactive and collaborative approach, with the confidence to identify opportunities for improvement and share technical knowledge An interest in developing sector expertise and contributing to the wider profile of the banking and lending audit practice What's on Offer Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package Hybrid working, combining office-based working in a major UK conurbation with client-site visits 27 days' annual holiday, with the option to purchase additional leave Clear opportunities for career progression within an expanding audit practice Access to a wide range of technical training and professional development resources Opportunities to develop specialist expertise in IFRS 9 and the banking and lending sector Exposure to a varied portfolio of regulated and unregulated lending clients The opportunity to contribute to business development and the strategic growth of a specialist service line Supportive and collaborative working environment with a strong focus on mentoring and internal progression Health, lifestyle and financial wellbeing benefits, including access to a virtual GP and an electric car scheme Access to an extensive library of on-demand learning and development courses Flexible working arrangements designed to support work-life balance and long-term career development