Audit & Assurance Assistant

About Armstrong Watson LLP

As an expanding business with 18 offices at present, Armstrong Watson LLP is a leading independent accountancy firm ranked in the top 30 firms of accountants and business advisers.

With approximately 520 colleagues, our people and our culture are at the heart of what we do. We recognise the unique impact our employees have on not only our clients, but also our colleagues and the communities in which we operate in. Our success is dependent on every colleague behaving consistently across all four of our values: Passion, Trust, Honesty and Humanity.

The Role

Due to expansion and service line growth, we are now recruiting for an Audit & Assurance Assistant to join our Leeds office.

The main purpose of this role will be to complete Audit and Accountancy based assignments for the clients of the firm and generally supporting the wider Audit & Assurance team with the clients within their portfolios.

The key elements of this role will include but not be limited to:

• Completing sections of the audit file allocated by the Audit & Assurance Senior or Manager
• Liaising with the client during an assignment to obtain all necessary information
• Assisting with the preparation of statutory accounts on audit clients
• Preparing statutory account, corporate tax computations, and files for review by the Manager (for small clients)
• Assisting with accounting work, such as VAT returns or management accounts, as and when required
• Assisting with general administration within the Audit & Assurance service line

This role is best suited to someone who wants to develop their career within the Accountancy sector and eventually obtain their Chartered Status (ACA Qualification).

If you are successful and secure this role, and providing you meet the application requirements you will be able to apply for our Graduate / Trainee Chartered Accountant scheme, and successful candidates will commence their 3 year training journey with effect from ***. All candidates (external and internal) would need to go through the assessment process for our ACA scheme, however for those working in Audit already, it has been agreed that as long as you pass the online test stage within the process, you can immediately secure a place on the Assessment Centre, due to take place in ***.

The Candidate

In order to fulfil the role, we expect you to be:

• Comfortable working within a fast paced working environment
• A dedicated team player and willing to assist colleagues within the team where possible
• Able to prioritise workloads under strict deadlines and work well under pressure

Should you already be experienced working within an Accountancy practice environment, we would expect for you to have previously completed or be working towards successful completion of your AAT qualification.

Alternatively, if you have never worked within an Accountancy practice we would expect for you to have achieved a minimum of a 2:1 degree result (in a relevant degree subject).

The Benefits

In return for your hard work helping us shape our future growth and development; we will provide a competitive salary and a positive benefits package which includes:

• 3.1% Employer Contribution Pension Scheme including Life Cover and Income Protection
• Enhanced Annual Leave which will increase throughout your length of service and option an Annual Leave Purchase Scheme allowing you to buy up to 5 additional days annual leave each year
• Flexible & Smart Working – giving you the ability to balance home-working, office location etc.
• Life Cover of 4x your salary
• Health Shield Cash Plan (provides cash back on a range of Health benefits and discounts on fashion, entertainment, holidays etc)
• Introductory Commission Scheme (financial reward if you refer a new client)
• Employee Assistance Programme (confidential support for emotional wellbeing)
• Employee Referral Scheme (financial reward if you refer new AW colleagues) of up to £2,000
• Detailed and thorough on-the-job training
• Reviews and appraisals with your management team to ensure regular communication and providing you with a platform to enhance your career

In addition to all the benefits you would expect from an award winning employer, you will be given the utmost encouragement and support to develop your career further.

When you’re with us… we’re with you.