Audit Manager - Simmons Gainsford : Job Details

At Simmons Gainsford LLP, we are a dynamic and forward-thinking accountancy firm, renowned for delivering high-quality audit, tax, and consulting services, particularly to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). We partner with a diverse range of clients, helping them navigate complex financial management and compliance challenges. With a client-centric approach, we provide tailored solutions to meet SMEs' unique needs, building long-term relationships based on trust and expertise

The Role

As an Audit Manager, you will lead a high-performing audit team, manage client relationships, and ensure the delivery of high-quality audit services. You will play a pivotal role in maintaining compliance, improving processes, and driving growth.

• Team Leadership: Lead, manage, develop, and coach an effective audit team to achieve exceptional results.
• Audit Oversight: Oversee all phases of audit engagements, ensuring full compliance with professional standards and regulatory requirements.
• Quality Assurance: Review audit work, maintaining high technical and professional standards.
• Client Relationships: Develop and maintain strong client relationships, acting as a trusted advisor on audit, risk management, and financial reporting.
• Business Development: Identify and pursue opportunities to grow the audit practice, including proposal delivery and new client acquisition.
• Process Improvement: Collaborate with HR, IT, and Marketing to evaluate and enhance working processes.
• Strategic Thinking: Understand clients’ needs and business risks, tailoring audit programmes accordingly.
• Mentorship: Provide guidance and support to team members, fostering a culture of technical excellence and professional growth.

• Qualified Chartered Accountant (ACA/ACCA) with proven external auditing experience.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage an audit team to deliver high-quality services.
• Strong technical expertise in systems and risk-based auditing.
• Proven ability to develop long-term client relationships and deliver added value.
• Track record in business development and successfully managing proposals.
• Exceptional organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.
• Familiarity with audit software such as Caseware, Sage, QuickBooks, Xero, Alphatax, and CCH is desirable
• Working knowledge of HAT audit methodology would be useful.

You may be the sort of person who is:

• Strategic Thinker: Able to see the bigger picture and tailor audit strategies to align with client goals and organisational objectives.
• Client-Focused Advisor: Skilled at building trusted relationships, understanding client needs, and providing valuable insights to support their business growth.
• Inspiring Leader: Capable of motivating and developing teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Problem Solver: Proactive in identifying challenges early, developing innovative solutions, and preventing recurrence.
• Results-Driven Professional: Committed to delivering high-quality outcomes within deadlines while managing resources effectively.
• Commercially Aware: Strong business acumen with the ability to identify new opportunities and drive revenue growth.

We offer a competitive package that includes:

• Dress for the day
• Flexible and hybrid working
• Early finish Fridays during Summer
• Up to 25 days holiday and 3 extra days when offices close over Christmas with the option to purchase 5 extra days per year
• Employee discount scheme
• Season ticket loan
• Wedding/Civil Partnership Gift
• Employee assistance programme
• Private medical insurance
• Death in service
• Social events

Our size and ethos means that we have a natural empathy with entrepreneurs, start-ups and growing businesses. Our client base is diverse and includes media, entertainment, retail, property, hospitality, manufacturing, recruitment, lawyers and charities. Our remit is to solve problems and create solutions so the compliance work - such as audits and tax returns - is complemented by creative business and strategic planning.

We have grown steadily over the years but not to an extent that we don’t know one another. We’re fortunate in that we have the following teams: Audit & Accounts, Corporate, Personal and Indirect Tax, Bookkeeping, Payroll, IT, HR and Internal Accounts so we can all work together to help businesses as we offer a wide range of advice and solutions.

We enjoy what we do, we love being challenged and we are always striving to improve. We’re not going to deny that it can be a demanding environment at times - but that’s a great one in which to learn and grow stronger in our knowledge - and we don’t have a late hours’ culture.

Our Partners and Managers are approachable, incredibly supportive and dedicated to providing an individual career and personal development path for all our staff. Many of them began as trainees themselves so they understand the journey ahead for our new trainees as they mentor them.

We offer CPD training throughout the year as it’s important that our clients receive the most up to date and relevant advice, and our staff are continuously learning so they are empowered by their knowledge. There is always the opportunity for individuals to suggest any ad hoc courses.

We are a sociable bunch too! As well as our annual firm-wide seasonal events, we have a social club who think of even more innovative ways to have fun throughout the year.

We also like to keep everyone updated - and share ideas - by having regular team briefings, employee focus groups and staff meetings.