Job Description
The role
The Risk and Compliance team’s areas of activity are extensive, varied and firmwide. The primary focus is on ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements (principally Audit Regulations, Ethical compliance, ICAEW Practice Assurance and Designated Professional Body (investment business) regulations and oversight of the firm’s enterprise risk management (ERM) framework.
The team also provide advisory services to fee earning and support teams, publish guidance documentation, prepare and deliver internal briefings, develop firm policy, conduct quality and compliance monitoring and create and maintain content on the firm’s intranet. The team works closely alongside the firm’s separate Legal, Technical and Financial Crime Compliance teams.
Due to growth in the size of the firm, the services it offers and its client base together with the increasing legal and regulatory environment, we are looking for an experienced individual to join the team at manager level to support and enhance its work with a focus on the ethics and audit compliance deliverables.
This is an ideal opportunity for a professionally qualified accountant with auditor general practice experience who is looking to develop their career in a key and varied support role in practice outside of direct client work.
The responsibilities
Supporting the director and senior managers with the firm’s compliance tasks focusing principally on ISQM (UK) 1 and Ethical matters (FRC Ethical Standard and ICAEW Code of Ethics);
Preparing quarterly reports for the firm’s internal committees;
Assisting with the external regulatory visits;
Monitoring of and reporting on the firm’s compliance with its ethical and audit compliance policies;
Responding to queries and consultations received internally from fee earners, including undertaking relevant research;
Reviewing and updating the firm’s risk, ethics and compliance policies and guidance;
Preparing internal communications – principally news alerts, ‘bitesize’ presentations and maintenance of intranet pages;
Keeping up to date with regulatory or legislative changes which may impact the firm;
Providing direction and training to junior members of the team;
Working with the Leaning and Development team to prepare and deliver related training;
Supporting the firm’s strategic and other projects; and
Performing targeted reviews of fee earners’ working papers in response to risk events or professional indemnity insurance notifiable events.
You
Likely to be a qualified accountant or equivalent
Background within audit or the ethics and/or compliance function of a professional services environment.
Experience of planning, managing, and organizing resources to meet objectives.
Ability to interpret, and act in accordance with, complex technical or legislative requirements.
Ability to develop and manage new approaches and drive continuous improvement.
Able to influence and change the motivation and behaviour of others.
Creates a climate where people are motivated to do their best to help the Firm achieve its objectives.
Knows the most effective and efficient processes to optimize results, with a focus on continuous improvement.
Anticipates and balances the needs of multiple stakeholders. Works to identify all relevant issues and satisfy the interests of multiple stakeholders.
Holds self and others accountable to meet commitments. Readily takes on challenges or difficult tasks and has reputation for delivering on commitments.
Skills and competencies
You’ll display a positive approach to work and an ability to thrive in a small, supportive team environment. In addition, you’ll have the confidence and professionalism to establish credibility at all levels and a clear perception of risk, compliance and ethical requirements. You will be able to demonstrate the following:
Knowledge of the ICAEW’s Code of Ethics and the FRC Ethical Standard;
Ability to analyse and research risk, ethics and compliance queries, providing advice and solutions that are timely and robust;
Ability to design tests and procedures to check compliance against a set criteria;
Skills in managing more involved and lengthy tasks, including the ability to plan and prioritise work, meet deadlines and monitor progress;
Experience of the timely delivery of a portfolio of work of the highest quality;
A self-starter who also has the confidence and ability both to suggest improvements to processes and to assist in resolving complex or sensitive issues;
Succinct, accurate and clear communication, both written and oral, in a range of situations and to a range of audiences; and
IT skills – working knowledge of Word, ability to manipulate data in Excel and to prepare PowerPoint presentations with voiceovers.
Knowledge of the following areas is desirable:
ISQM (UK) 1;
Audit Regulations
ICAEW Practice Assurance Regime;
ICAEW Disciplinary Bye-Laws;
Company law;
International Standards on Auditing (UK);
UK GAAP; and
IFRS (UK).
The Risk and Compliance team’s areas of activity are extensive, varied and firmwide. The primary focus is on ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements (principally Audit Regulations, Ethical compliance, ICAEW Practice Assurance and Designated Professional Body (investment business) regulations and oversight of the firm’s enterprise risk management (ERM) framework.
The team also provide advisory services to fee earning and support teams, publish guidance documentation, prepare and deliver internal briefings, develop firm policy, conduct quality and compliance monitoring and create and maintain content on the firm’s intranet. The team works closely alongside the firm’s separate Legal, Technical and Financial Crime Compliance teams.
Due to growth in the size of the firm, the services it offers and its client base together with the increasing legal and regulatory environment, we are looking for an experienced individual to join the team at manager level to support and enhance its work with a focus on the ethics and audit compliance deliverables.
This is an ideal opportunity for a professionally qualified accountant with auditor general practice experience who is looking to develop their career in a key and varied support role in practice outside of direct client work.
The responsibilities
Supporting the director and senior managers with the firm’s compliance tasks focusing principally on ISQM (UK) 1 and Ethical matters (FRC Ethical Standard and ICAEW Code of Ethics);
Preparing quarterly reports for the firm’s internal committees;
Assisting with the external regulatory visits;
Monitoring of and reporting on the firm’s compliance with its ethical and audit compliance policies;
Responding to queries and consultations received internally from fee earners, including undertaking relevant research;
Reviewing and updating the firm’s risk, ethics and compliance policies and guidance;
Preparing internal communications – principally news alerts, ‘bitesize’ presentations and maintenance of intranet pages;
Keeping up to date with regulatory or legislative changes which may impact the firm;
Providing direction and training to junior members of the team;
Working with the Leaning and Development team to prepare and deliver related training;
Supporting the firm’s strategic and other projects; and
Performing targeted reviews of fee earners’ working papers in response to risk events or professional indemnity insurance notifiable events.
You
Likely to be a qualified accountant or equivalent
Background within audit or the ethics and/or compliance function of a professional services environment.
Experience of planning, managing, and organizing resources to meet objectives.
Ability to interpret, and act in accordance with, complex technical or legislative requirements.
Ability to develop and manage new approaches and drive continuous improvement.
Able to influence and change the motivation and behaviour of others.
Creates a climate where people are motivated to do their best to help the Firm achieve its objectives.
Knows the most effective and efficient processes to optimize results, with a focus on continuous improvement.
Anticipates and balances the needs of multiple stakeholders. Works to identify all relevant issues and satisfy the interests of multiple stakeholders.
Holds self and others accountable to meet commitments. Readily takes on challenges or difficult tasks and has reputation for delivering on commitments.
Skills and competencies
You’ll display a positive approach to work and an ability to thrive in a small, supportive team environment. In addition, you’ll have the confidence and professionalism to establish credibility at all levels and a clear perception of risk, compliance and ethical requirements. You will be able to demonstrate the following:
Knowledge of the ICAEW’s Code of Ethics and the FRC Ethical Standard;
Ability to analyse and research risk, ethics and compliance queries, providing advice and solutions that are timely and robust;
Ability to design tests and procedures to check compliance against a set criteria;
Skills in managing more involved and lengthy tasks, including the ability to plan and prioritise work, meet deadlines and monitor progress;
Experience of the timely delivery of a portfolio of work of the highest quality;
A self-starter who also has the confidence and ability both to suggest improvements to processes and to assist in resolving complex or sensitive issues;
Succinct, accurate and clear communication, both written and oral, in a range of situations and to a range of audiences; and
IT skills – working knowledge of Word, ability to manipulate data in Excel and to prepare PowerPoint presentations with voiceovers.
Knowledge of the following areas is desirable:
ISQM (UK) 1;
Audit Regulations
ICAEW Practice Assurance Regime;
ICAEW Disciplinary Bye-Laws;
Company law;
International Standards on Auditing (UK);
UK GAAP; and
IFRS (UK).
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Manager position is now open for candidates interested in the Accountant Jobs sector. This role in Bristol offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Accountant Jobs is a plus.