Senior Manager – Risk and Compliance – London

We are looking for an enthusiastic and hardworking individual at Senior Manager level to join the Risk & Compliance (R&C) team at an exciting and pivotal time for the firm.

In particular we are looking for a challenge mindset, someone who seeks new and innovative ways of dealing with compliance and quality management

The role

This is an ideal opportunity for a qualified accountant with audit experience in a support function in an accountancy practice having previously worked in a client facing role.

Reporting into the R&C director, your primary responsibility will be to lead on the design and implementation of compliance and monitoring processes appropriate to the firm including in response to ISQM (UK) 1 and the firm’s Audit Quality Assurance Manual (AQAM).

Other key aspects of the role will include:

• Performing RCAs
• Engagement with client facing teams including partners dealing with risk management and ethical queries
• Involvement in ICAEW regulatory compliance matters, including coordinating onsite inspections
• Supporting firmwide projects to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements
• We can offer a varied and challenging workload and the potential for progression for the right candidate.

The team

The R&C team is currently a team of four – director, senior manager, manager, and assistant manager reporting into the Risk Partner.

The office

Ideally London based – though other locations will be considered for the right candidate – with the option to work from home 60% of the time (subject to operational needs).

You

The successful candidate will be an assured, enthusiastic self-starter with the background and desire to establish themselves in this critical role at a time of change within the audit and accountancy profession.

Excellent organisational skills, including the ability to manage multiple tasks at once and prioritise their workload.

A definite interest in researching risk, ethics and compliance matters and seeking to resolve problems, as well as identify aspects which might not have been envisaged initially.

Interpersonal skills and professionalism to establish credibility at all levels, be commercially minded and have a clear perception of the requirements of both the firm and its clients.

High level of commitment and therefore candidates should display a positive approach to work and have the drive and ability to get things done.

Knowledge base – Essential

• A thorough knowledge of the FRC’s ethical and auditing standards is essential as is the IESBA’s and ICAEW’s Code of Ethics.
• Detailed knowledge of ISQM (UK) 1
• An understanding of risk management aspects relevant to a mid-tier multi-disciplinary professional services firm
• The ICAEW’s Audit Regulations / Practice Assurance Scheme / DPB Handbook.

Knowledge base – Desirable

• Company legislation
• Accounting frameworks – UK and IFRS.
• Regulatory requirements arising from membership of international network

Skill base – Essential

• A high standard of written and oral skills for explaining issues clearly and succinctly and justifying possible solutions.
• Interacting confidently with senior personnel including Partners across the whole firm, as well as supporting more junior members of staff
• Analytical – the ability to understand an issue and assess its potential implications.
• Accuracy – ensuring outputs are technically correct, paying attention to detail.
• Up-to-date IT skills, in particular Excel, Word and PowerPoint.

Risk – experience in Enterprise Risk Management

• Research – use of initiative in finding solutions.
• Maintaining intranet pages.
• Training and presenting.
• Project management skills.

Reward & Benefits

• A 35-hour working week with flexibility around the core hours of 10am-4pm
• Agile working policy giving you the option to work from home for up to 3 days per week.
• 25 days annual leave. After 5 years’ service, the entitlement will be increased by 1 day.
• In addition, employees are entitled to buy or sell up to 5 days holiday a year
• Contributory pension scheme (The firm will contribute 5% of salary on a matched basis with employee from their date of joining)
• Life assurance cover of 4 x annual salary,
• Working from home allowance of £25 a month.
• Car allowance of £5,000
• Eligibility for the firm’s Profit-Sharing Plan that runs from October to September each year. The scheme enables staff to share in the profits of the firm. Payment is usually c£1,000. Paid in December.
• New client referral scheme. Members of staff introducing a new client to the firm, have the potential to receive a referral payment of up to 10% of the first year’s total fees.
• Eligibility for the discretionary bonus scheme. This is based on both individual performance and firm performance.
• Private Medical – entitled to join on successful completion of probationary period
• Access to additional benefits with preferential rates under the flexible benefit programme, health cash plans, health screening/GP support, critical illness cover, dental and travel insurance, Techscheme, Cyclescheme, Gymflex and a Workplace ISA.
• Paid travel expenses when working at offices other than your contracted office.
• Saffery Champness is committed to being a fully inclusive employer and have a huge focus on ED&I. You will have the opportunity to join a number of people network groups as well as be a part of the growing ED&I network.