Audit Manager - Audit, Accounting & Advisory

Key Details

• Location: Blackburn or Bury, Lancashire
• Salary: Competitive / Negotiable
• Working Pattern: Full-time, permanent
• Hybrid Working: Flexible hybrid working available
• Working Hours: Full-time, with weekly flexitime

About the Role

An established and growing accountancy practice is looking to recruit an Audit Manager to join its expanding Audit, Accounting & Advisory team, based in either Blackburn or Bury.

This is an excellent opportunity for an ACA/ACCA-qualified accountant with strong external audit experience and a proven track record of managing client portfolios and audit teams.

You will take responsibility for a varied portfolio of corporate clients and business owners, delivering high-quality audit, accounting and advisory services. Around 75% of the role will focus on statutory audits, with the remaining time spent overseeing year-end accounts preparation and undertaking ad hoc advisory projects.

As an Audit Manager, you will play a key role in developing client relationships, managing assignments, supporting the wider team and contributing to the continued growth and success of the department.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a varied portfolio of corporate audit clients across multiple sectors.
• Oversee statutory audit assignments, ensuring work is delivered efficiently and to a high standard.
• Review audit files and financial statements, ensuring compliance with relevant accounting and auditing standards.
• Oversee year-end accounts preparation and provide technical accounting advice.
• Develop and maintain strong client relationships, acting as a trusted adviser.
• Manage, mentor and develop audit teams, including Assistant Managers, Supervisors and junior staff.
• Take responsibility for assignment budgets, billing and fee recovery.
• Monitor team performance, workloads and deadlines to ensure effective delivery.
• Identify opportunities to improve audit quality, efficiency and departmental processes.
• Work closely with directors, partners and colleagues across other departments.
• Identify training requirements and support the ongoing professional development of the team.
• Contribute to the strategic development and growth of the audit department.

Experience

• Significant experience working within an accountancy practice in an external audit role.
• Previous experience managing a portfolio of audit clients.
• Strong experience leading and reviewing statutory audit assignments.
• Experience managing, supervising and developing audit teams.
• Strong technical knowledge of UK accounting and auditing standards, including FRS 102 and FRS 102 1A.
• Commercial awareness, including budgeting, client billing and fee management.
• Excellent client relationship and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments and work to deadlines.
• A proactive approach to business development and identifying opportunities for improvement.

Qualifications

• ACA / ACCA qualified or equivalent.
• Proven external audit experience.
• Strong technical knowledge of financial reporting and auditing requirements.

Working Pattern & Flexibility

• Full-time, permanent position.
• Based in either Blackburn or Bury.
• Flexible hybrid working arrangements.
• Weekly flexitime.
• Client site visits predominantly across Lancashire and North Manchester.
• Agreed overtime available.

Salary & Benefits

• Competitive salary, dependent on experience.
• 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Winter office closedown and flexible Easter break.
• 8% employer pension contribution.
• Death-in-service cover at four times annual salary.
• Income protection scheme.
• Private medical insurance options.
• Hybrid and flexible working.
• Free on-site parking.
• Firm-wide performance-related bonus.
• Enhanced family-friendly policies.
• Cycle-to-work scheme and additional flexible benefits.
• Extensive technical training and professional development.
• Mentoring and regular career development reviews.
• Opportunities for further progression within the firm.

Bennett and Game Recruitment are a multi-disciplined technical recruitment agency based in Chichester, West Sussex operating across the UK with specialist teams covering a range of industries.

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