Senior Manager – ISQM 1 Quality Management

Leading on the design, implementation, monitoring, remediation and continuous improvement of the firm’s system of quality management in accordance with ISQM (UK) 1. This is an amazing opportunity to join the Risk and Compliance team, responsible for ensuring the firm’s compliance with its regulatory requirements.

This is an ideal opportunity for a professionally qualified accountant with audit experience, or an individual who has worked in the ethics function within professional services, who is looking to develop their career in a key and varied role in practice outside of direct client work. It works closely with Technical, Legal and Financial Crime and Compliance teams to provides partners and staff with guidance and support to enable them to identify and manage the firm’s risk.

The role

The successful candidate will help promote a culture of quality, ethics and accountability across the practice and act as a key adviser to partners and senior leadership on audit quality, risk management and regulatory matters.

• Lead the ongoing development, implementation and enhancement of the firm’s system of quality management particularly as it relates to ISQM (UK) 1.
• Lead the firm’s quality monitoring programme, including updating of the risk assessment, performing thematic reviews, compliance reviews targeted inspections and ad hoc file reviews which may respond to a risk event or finding.
• Drive the annual assessment of the system of quality management and support preparation of reports to appropriate governance bodies.
• Develop and maintain quality-related policies, procedures and controls to ensure continued compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Oversee root cause analysis activities arising from internal reviews, external inspections, compliance or quality deficiencies.
• Assess trends and emerging risks using management information and quality indicators. Develop and monitor remediation plans, ensuring actions are effectively implemented and evaluated.
• Act as a key point of contact for regulatory inspections and monitoring visits and lead the coordination of responses to regulatory findings and recommendations.
• Prepare reports, papers and presentations for the governance committees and leadership boards.
• Lead the development and delivery of quality-related training and communication initiatives.
• Provide technical direction and advice to other members of the Risk, Ethics and Compliance team as well as other members of the firm through the online helpdesk.

About You

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.

• Background within audit or a quality management/technical/regulatory compliance function within the audit and accountancy sector and likely a qualified accountant.
• Excellent knowledge or audit quality management, professional standards and regulatory requirements specifically ISQM (UK) 1 & 2 and the Audit Regulations.
• Experience in conducting, coordinating or contributing to root cause analysis.
• Experienced with reporting on the effectiveness of controls, identified risks, coordinating monitoring and leading on the remediation of findings. Able to think strategically and to assess quality risks from a firmwide perspective.
• Excellent organisational and project management skills.
• Confident analysing, datasets, management information and using AI tools.
• Ability to interpret complex regulatory requirements and translate into practical policies and procedures to encourage continuous improvement.
• Proven ability to influence partners and senior stakeholders and gain support for quality initiatives, and create a climate where people are motivated to do their best to help the firm achieve its objectives.

The team

There are six members in the Risk and Compliance department working across compliance, quality management and ethics with strong working relationships with the technical, legal and insurance functions. The department is overseen by the Risk Partner.

Rewards And Benefits

• A 35-hour working week with a hybrid working policy with the flexibility to work from home for up to three days per week (our core hours are 10-4).
• Excellent benefits including; contributory pension scheme, 27 days annual leave, Life Assurance cover and great flexible benefits and family friendly policies.
• Eligibility for the firm’s Profit-Sharing Plan. Paid in December. Eligibility for the discretionary bonus scheme.

About Us

Saffery LLP is an adviser to individuals and businesses across a range of sectors, providing market-leading accountancy, audit, business advisory, tax and VAT services. Founded in 1855, we are the UK’s 15th largest accountancy firm.

When you work with us at Saffery, you work with people who know your name, not just a job title. We’re a place shaped by friendly, intelligent people who are individually excellent and collectively exceptional. We’re committed to our clients, but also to our greatest asset – our people.

As a proud member of Nexia, a leading, international network of independent accounting and consulting firms, we’ve got access to local insight on a global scale.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Equality, diversity and inclusion is a top priority for us. With our ED&I strategy, Everyone Belongs, we are building on our positive work culture and implementing initiatives to improve diversity and strengthen our equitable culture of inclusion, led from the top.

We hope you will apply to us, whatever your background, ethnicity, gender, age, sexuality, disability or neurodivergence, because individual differences equal collective strength. Built on values of excellence, integrity, enthusiasm and collegiality, Saffery is where Potential meets Personal.