Audit Compliance Manager - Independence Manager
I'm working with a global professional services firm. They are looking for an audit manager to join a specialised team that provides compliance and regulatory advice to the business in line with accounting best practices. If you are working in an independence team at a smaller firm or even an audit manager at a big 4 firm looking for a new role, please contact me.
Overview of the Role & Team
- The role is newly created due to team expansion within the Global Independence Team.
- The team acts as the head office for independence-related matters, supporting member firms globally.
- When independence teams at member firms have questions, they escalate them to the team for guidance.
- The position will manage two associates, providing oversight and coaching.
Key Responsibilities
Independence Compliance & Advisory:
- Ensuring that policies and procedures are correctly interpreted and applied operationally.
- Advising on ISBA (IESBA) Code of Ethics, FRC rules, and other audit independence regulations.
- Assisting member firms in determining the permissibility of services and relationships under independence rules.
- Acting as a bridge between associates and senior leaders.
Entity Management System & New System Development:
- Familiarity with entity management systems, where all client relationships are recorded.
- The firm is developing a new services and authorisation system, which will interact directly with clients.
- The manager should ideally have experience working with such systems in a Big Four firm.
Global Mailbox & Query Handling:
- The team manages a global mailbox where member firms send independence-related queries.
- Common queries include interpretation of the IESBA Code, specific entity management system issues, and questions on auditor-client relationships.
- While firms ultimately make their own decisions, the team provides guidance and best practices.
Quality & Risk Management:
- Role involves aspects of audit technical advisory, quality management standards, and risk controls.
Ideal Candidate Profile
- Big Four experience is preferred, ideally within an independence compliance team.
- Technical knowledge of independence regulations (IESBA, FRC rules).
- Strong understanding of entity management systems and experience working with audit compliance tools.
- Previous management or coaching experience would be beneficial.
- Ability to translate policy and procedures into operational processes.
- Comfortable with stakeholder engagement and advisory work.
- Preference for someone who has worked on both operational and advisory independence matters.
- Ideally a chartered accountant.
Salary
£60,000 - £70,000, with 2 days a week in the central London office. Please send your CV to me directly at ne@barclaysimpson.com.