Audit Technical Manager

Job title: Audit Technical Manager Reporting to: Head of Ethics, Compliance and Practice Assurance Hours: Full time Mon-Fri 9am-5.30pm (37.5 hours per week) Location: London office - Hybrid working - must be willing to travel to all current & future Affinia office locations as required. Affinia is the UK’s largest purpose-led, purpose-built Accountancy firm, focused on building stronger, more valuable relationships. With over 1,600 colleagues across the East, South East, London and the Midlands, we are dedicated to supporting our clients, colleagues and communities.

We advise businesses, public sector organisations, charities and individuals throughout the UK and internationally across six Service Lines - Accountancy & Advisory, Tax and Planning, Audit & Assurance, Corporate Finance, Payroll and Corporate Recovery. Our team also offer in-depth sector expertise across a number of sectors, ensuring our clients receive the best short to medium and long-term advice, tailored to them. We are committed to delivering excellence in every aspect of our work, adapting to the evolving technology and regulatory landscape while consistently exceeding client expectations.

Our people are our most valuable asset. We are therefore committed to supporting our colleagues throughout their professional development, providing guidance and training at whatever stage of their career they join us.

Real people. Real growth. Real difference.

Purpose Of The Role The Audit Technical Manager plays a central role in supporting audit quality and consistency across the firm. Working within the Ethics, Compliance and Practice Assurance Team, the role provides technical guidance on auditing and financial reporting matters, supports audit methodology development, performs technical and quality reviews, and contributes to audit training and regulatory readiness. The role is primarily internal‑facing, supporting audit partners and audit engagement teams across a broad client base, including complex and higher‑risk audits.

Accountabilities Technical Advice and Consultation

• Act as a key point of contact for audit partners and teams, providing timely and pragmatic technical advice on UK auditing standards (ISA (UK)), Companies Act requirements, and ethical standards.
• Research, draft, and respond to technical audit and financial reporting queries, including matters under FRS 102 and IFRS.
• Support consultation processes for complex or high‑risk audit judgements, including second‑partner reviews where required.

Audit Quality and File Reviews

• Perform pre‑issuance (hot) and post‑issuance (cold) technical reviews of audit files, including audits of complex entities and matters requiring modified audit opinions.
• Contribute to internal quality monitoring, cold file reviews, and root cause analysis in response to internal findings or external regulator feedback (e.g. QAD).

Methodology, Standards and Guidance

• Monitor developments in auditing, accounting, ethical and regulatory standards and assess their impact on the firm’s audit methodology and policies.
• Update and develop audit methodology, guidance notes, templates, and technical bulletins on the Audit and Ethics Hub to ensure compliance and best practice.

Training and Knowledge Sharing

• Design and deliver audit technical training for audit staff and partners, such as our Lunch and Learn and workshops. Topics would include updates on new standards, regulatory findings, and emerging risk areas.
• Support the development of the firm’s audit learning and contribute to internal communications on audit quality matters.
• Support the Head of Ethics, Compliance and Practice Assurance in monitoring CPD compliance and regulatory reviews on training matters.

Stakeholder and External Engagement

• Build strong working relationships with audit partners, managers, and engagement teams across the firm.
• Where appropriate, represent the firm in external technical forums, network meetings, or discussions with regulators and professional bodies.

Skills/Qualifications

• ACA / ACCA (or equivalent) qualified accountant.
• Strong background in external audit within UK practice, at Audit Manager level or above.
• Experience in audit technical, audit quality, or methodology role is desirable but not essential.
• Sound working knowledge of UK GAAP (FRS 102), IFRS, and UK auditing and ethical standards.
• Strong technical and analytical skills, with the ability to interpret and apply complex standards pragmatically.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical matters clearly to non‑specialists.
• Confident stakeholder management skills, with the credibility to challenge and influence at partner and manager level.
• High attention to detail, strong organisational skills, and a commitment to audit quality and professional scepticism.

Core Benefits At Affinia, our culture is driven by ambition and a commitment to positively impact all the communities we serve. We are dedicated to the success, development, and wellbeing of our colleagues, helping them achieve their goals and seize the opportunities that come with our growth. Alongside a flexible and inclusive work environment, we offer the following core benefits:

• 25 days holiday (FTE) plus Bank Holidays (Sept-Aug).
• Auto enrolment Pension Scheme with True Potential.
• Death in Service.
• Professional membership support.
• Paycare – claim money back for Dental / Optical / Professional Therapies
• Agile/Hybrid Working Policy
• Dress for your Diary Policy.

Please note that this job profile is not an exhaustive list of duties but merely an outline of the key components of the role. You may be required by your line manager to take on additional responsibilities when requested.

Affinia is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policy is unequivocal: we do not tolerate discrimination based on age, disability, sex, race, religion, or belief, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy, or maternity, or sexual orientation. We pride ourselves on being an inclusive organisation that actively promotes equality of opportunity for all, valuing the right mix of talent, skills, and potential. We welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates, and selection for roles is based solely on individual merit.

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