Audit Director

Job Title: Audit Director / Responsible Individual

Location: London

Salary: Up to £110,000

The Client

Our client is an established, medium-sized firm of Chartered and Certified Accountants. It is led by former Big Four auditors, consultants and tax specialists and provides audit, assurance and tax services to clients across the UK. With a team of experienced accountants and consultants, the firm combines the technical rigour of a large-firm background with the personal service and accessibility of a growing, owner-managed practice. They are looking to add an Audit Director to their team.

The Opportunity

Following continued growth, our client is looking to appoint an accomplished and commercially astute Audit Director / Responsible Individual (RI) to join its audit practice.

This is a senior, high-profile role for a technically strong professional who can lead complex audit engagements, build trusted relationships with business owners and boards, and develop high-performing teams. You will have a diverse client portfolio, real influence over the direction of the audit function and the chance to support the firm's continued growth.

Key responsibilities of the Audit Director / Responsible Individual

• Act as Responsible Individual, signing audit reports in line with regulatory and professional standards
• Lead and oversee a portfolio of audit clients across a range of sectors, ensuring high-quality service delivery
• Review and approve audit planning, risk assessments, completion work and financial statements
• Provide technical guidance on complex accounting and auditing matters, including FRS 102, UK GAAP and relevant auditing standards
• Build strong client relationships, acting as a trusted adviser to senior management and business owners
• Identify opportunities to add value for clients and support business development initiatives
• Ensure compliance with regulatory, ethical and quality control requirements
• Manage engagement profitability, budgets and resource allocation
• Coach, mentor and develop audit managers and the wider team
• Take part in internal quality reviews and contribute to continuous improvement across the audit function

About you

Essential qualifications and experience

• ACA qualified
• At least 5 years' experience operating as a Responsible Individual
• Significant experience leading statutory audits for a broad range of clients
• Strong knowledge of UK auditing standards, FRS 102, UK GAAP and regulatory requirements
• Proven experience managing complex audit assignments from planning through to completion
• Demonstrated ability to review and challenge technical accounting judgements and estimates

Key competencies

• Technically strong, with excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• A mature, confident professional with a strong leadership presence
• Exceptional client handling and relationship management skills
• Commercially aware, with the ability to spot client needs and business opportunities
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
• Proven people management and team development experience
• Able to manage multiple priorities while maintaining high quality standards

The ideal candidate

You are a respected audit professional who combines technical excellence with strong interpersonal skills. You are comfortable working with business owners, finance directors and boards and you lead audit teams with a clear focus on audit quality and client service.

Bowdon Associates is a member of the Guild of Quality Employment Agencies and has agreed to adopt the compliance and recruitment standards that form the basis their code of conduct. A quality, transparent and responsible recruitment agency committed to raising the industry standards.