Assistant Manager Internal Audit

Location: Manchester / Leeds

Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience

Sector: Financial Services | Risk Advisory | Internal Audit

Employment Type: Permanent

MERJE is partnering with a highly regarded, established accountancy and business advisory firm that is looking to appoint an Assistant Manager within its Financial Services Internal Audit & Advisory team in Manchester / Leeds.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Internal Audit or Regulatory Assurance professional looking to take the next step in their career, joining a collaborative and growing advisory function with exposure to a diverse portfolio of Financial Services clients.

The successful candidate will play a key role in planning, managing and delivering internal audit and regulatory assurance engagements, working closely with senior stakeholders and contributing to the continued development of the firm's advisory offering.

The position offers the opportunity to build specialist knowledge across Financial Services, develop long-term client relationships and take greater ownership of complex assignments.

• Plan, manage and deliver risk-based internal audit and regulatory assurance reviews across Financial Services clients.
• Identify control weaknesses, assess business risks and provide practical, value-adding recommendations to senior management.
• Support the development and delivery of annual internal audit plans.
• Lead individual assignments, ensuring projects are delivered to agreed timescales, budgets and quality standards.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients, including senior management and key stakeholders.
• Attend client meetings and contribute to discussions with senior management committees.
• Work closely with Senior Managers, Directors and Partners on complex audit and advisory engagements.
• Contribute to the development of internal audit methodologies, service offerings and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support the development and mentoring of junior team members.
• Identify opportunities to provide additional advisory services to existing clients.

We are keen to speak with individuals who have experience delivering Internal Audit or Regulatory Assurance assignments within the Financial Services sector, either from an accountancy/advisory practice or an in-house environment.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Proven experience in Internal Audit and/or Regulatory Assurance within Financial Services
  .
• A strong understanding of the UK financial regulatory environment and the risks facing regulated organisations.
• Experience managing and delivering internal audit engagements, including planning, fieldwork, reporting and presenting findings.
• Knowledge of internal control frameworks, risk management principles and audit methodologies.
• Experience engaging with senior stakeholders, with the ability to communicate findings and recommendations effectively.
• A recognised professional qualification such as ACA, ACCA, CIMA or CIA/IIA
  , or another relevant qualification.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and report-writing skills.
• The ability to manage multiple assignments and take ownership of project delivery.
• An understanding of financial products, regulated activities and the associated operational and regulatory risks.

Experience reporting to Audit Committees or contributing to senior governance discussions would be particularly advantageous.

• Career progression: Join an established advisory practice offering structured professional development and opportunities to progress towards Manager level and beyond.
• Varied client exposure: Work across a range of Financial Services organisations, developing broader technical and regulatory expertise.
• Greater responsibility: Take ownership of audit engagements and build relationships with senior client stakeholders.
• Collaborative environment: Work alongside experienced Managers, Directors and Partners, gaining exposure to complex advisory assignments.
• Professional development: Opportunities to develop specialist sector knowledge and contribute to the wider growth of the advisory function.