Assurance – External Audit – Senior Associates; CIPS KSA

External Audit Senior Associate

As an External Audit Senior Associate, you’ll work as part of a team of problem solvers, helping to solve complex business issues from strategy to execution.

• Use analytical skills to analyze the client’s financial statements and ensure they adhere to financial regulations.
• Examine financial and accounting records, other documents, and tangible items such as inventory or plant and equipment.
• Ask a range of questions—from formal written questions to informal oral questions—to a range of individuals at client organisations.
• Test the client organisation’s internal controls and processes.
• Build trust and credibility with clients by understanding their expectations and delivering high‑quality services.
• Take accountability for researching and understanding key facts on the client’s industry information before the engagement begins.
• Communicate with the Manager and/or Partner in a timely manner with respect to engagement progress—risks, issues, variances from plan in terms of time, budget, etc.
• Take full ownership of external file completion.
• Analyze engagement economics of self and field staff and explain variances from the budgets.
• Review the work of associate levels and provide on‑job training, coaching, and timely constructive feedback to help them grow in their career.
• Ensure compliance with risk, quality, and independence matters.
• Have an understanding of business development activities to help identify and research opportunities on new or existing clients, along with building and maintaining strong relationships with clients.
• Engage and deal effectively with diverse teams from the planning through the completion phase of the audit, closely following up on the progress of requested tasks to ensure meeting the timeline and the firm’s internal KPI’s.
• Take part in digital initiatives and upskilling areas that align most with your team’s business needs.
• Perform other procedures as necessary to support issuance of the assurance deliverables.

• A degree in accounting, finance, or any other related academic major.
• Completed or pursuing a professional qualification, such as ACCA, CA, ACA, CPA (preferably).
• Progressive experience at the Senior Associate level working with a range of external audit clients in a Big 4 professional services firm.
• Experience auditing a diverse range of industries.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills that allow you to thrive in a team environment.
• Bilingual proficiency in Arabic and English (oral and written) is a plus.
• Business development and client relationship building skills.
• Willingness to challenge the norms and to create a cohesive and effective working team.
• Excellent project management skills.
• Knowledge of any audit technologies, and experience using data analytics tools is a plus.
• Commitment to valuing differences and working alongside diverse people and perspectives.
• Thorough technical skills and experience regarding applicable accounting reporting and auditing standards, with demonstrated exceptional performance.
• Experience designing engagement procedures based on risk and materiality.
• Previous experience coaching and leading engagement teams.
• Strong technical knowledge and ability to research issues, present alternatives and conclusions to client/Manager.