Audit Function Lead

About the Role

We are looking for a senior Chartered Accountant to lead and build the entire Audit & Assurance function for a growing professional services and advisory firm.

The role will own audit quality, methodology, statutory audit and signing pipeline, team development, engagement risk, business development and the commercial performance of the audit function. This is a senior leadership opportunity with a clearly defined Partner-Track.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and lead the firm's entire Audit & Assurance function.
• Design and standardise audit methodology, risk assessment, materiality, sampling, analytical procedures and documentation.
• Establish audit programmes, working-paper standards and quality-review processes.
• Ensure compliance with Standards on Auditing (SAs), CARO, Companies Act and ICAI requirements.
• Lead statutory audit planning, execution, review and signing workflow.
• Manage audit independence, auditor rotation, conflicts and engagement acceptance/continuance.
• Lead readiness for NFRA / QRB / Peer Review and regulatory inspections.
• Build and lead the audit team including articles, seniors and managers.
• Develop review architecture, training programmes and succession plans.
• Drive audit-side business development, proposals, pitches and client relationships.
• Own audit function revenue, utilisation, realisation, WIP, margins and P&L.
• Recruit, mentor and retain high-quality audit professionals.
• Build a scalable, technology-enabled audit function with strong quality and review discipline.

Candidate Requirements

• Chartered Accountant (CA) from ICAI.
• 12-18+ years of experience, predominantly in statutory audit and assurance.
• Must be in practice and eligible/willing to hold audit signing responsibility within an ICAI attest structure.
• Strong knowledge of SAs, CARO, Companies Act, ICAI pronouncements, independence and rotation requirements.
• Exposure to NFRA / QRB / Peer Review requirements.
• Demonstrated experience in building or substantially managing audit methodology, review structures and teams.
• Strong team leadership and stakeholder/client management skills.
• Demonstrable involvement in winning or expanding audit/assurance assignments.
• Strong commercial understanding with exposure to audit P&L, utilisation and margins.
• Experience with owner-managed businesses, SMEs, family groups or promoter-led businesses will be an advantage.
• Exposure to audit technology, automation and MIS is preferred.

Location: Gurugram, Delhi-NCR
Work Mode: Work from Office
Working Days: Monday to Saturday
Travel: Travel across client engagements may be required
Engagement: Full-time, Senior Leadership / Partner-Track