Audit Assistant Manager - Public Sector

Location: Leeds

Forvis Mazars is a leading global professional services network providing audit & assurance, tax, and advisory services. Forvis Mazars in the UK spans 14 offices across the nation and has over 3,400 professionals, with 190 partners. We have a clear purpose and a shared commitment to shape a better future.

You’ll join a collaborative and inclusive team where you’re supported to grow your skills, explore new opportunities, and contribute from day one. You’ll work with a diverse client base, develop meaningful connections, and gain experience that extends beyond your local team. Together, we grow, belong and impact.

About the team

In Audit, you will join a growing team of relationship driven, curious, problem solvers who add value to their clients every day. Our audit teams provide assurance services that strengthen internal controls, build investor confidence, and ensure financial credibility. We support a wide variety of clients, from privately owned businesses to UK listed companies, financial services clients, and some of the world’s largest FT Global organisations.

As part of our uniquely integrated structure, you’ll benefit from working in collaborative teams, gaining early responsibility and being empowered to challenge, learn and lead in a supportive, values-driven environment. Our commitment to quality, independence of thought and innovation helps us play a key role in shaping the future of audit.

Our Public Sector Audit team delivers statutory audit services to a wide range of publicly funded and government-aligned organisations. We work with:

• Local authorities and councils across the UK

• Central government bodies and their subsidiaries

• NHS trusts, integrated care boards, and health organisations

Our audits support transparency, public accountability, and good governance across the public sector landscape.

About the role

As an Audit Assistant Manager (SN2), you will take the lead on multiple audit engagements from planning through to completion. You’ll supervise and coach junior staff, manage client communications, and ensure the delivery of exceptional, timely audit services.

Role & Responsibilities

• Audit Delivery – Manage audits for local government, NHS, and central bodies, supporting the process from planning through to completion, ensuring work is delivered on time, within budget, and to quality standards.

• Planning & Organisation – Assist in developing audit strategies and scoping plans, ensuring resources and timelines are effectively managed.

• Technical Application – Apply up-to-date technical knowledge (UK GAAP / FRS 102, IFRS, Companies Act) to audit assignments, escalating complex matters to senior colleagues as needed.

• Review & Reporting – Draft sections of key reporting outputs such as the audit opinion summary, group reporting packs, and audit committee documents for review by Managers and Partners.

• Team Support – Lead and supervise audit assistants and seniors during fieldwork, allocating tasks, reviewing work, and providing constructive on-the-job feedback.

• Coaching & Development – Support the growth of junior team members by providing guidance, feedback, and informal training.

• Quality & Compliance – Ensure audit files are completed to the required standard, review points are addressed, and firmwide methodologies and regulatory requirements are followed.

• Client Relationships – Act as a day-to-day contact for clients, responding promptly to requests and building professional, trusted relationships.

• Commercial Awareness – Monitor time spent against budget, assist with billing in line with agreed plans, and identify opportunities to add value or cross-sell services.

• Collaboration – Work closely with colleagues across audit and other service lines, contributing to business development and firmwide initiatives.

What we are looking for

• Qualification – ACA / CA / ACCA (or equivalent).

• Sector Experience – Experience in external audit, ideally with publicly funded bodies such as local authorities, central government departments, NHS trusts, and other government-aligned organisations.

• Level of Responsibility – Experience of leading audit assignments from planning through to completion, with increasing responsibility for managing client relationships.

• Leadership Experience – Experience supervising and coaching audit trainees and seniors, with the ability to delegate effectively and review work to a high standard.

• Technical Expertise – Up-to-date knowledge of UK GAAP (including FRS 102), IFRS, and the Companies Act.

• Stakeholder Engagement – Ability to build professional relationships with clients, act as a point of contact during audits, and handle queries promptly.

• People Management – Provides on-the-job training and constructive feedback to junior team members, supporting both technical and personal development.

• Communication Skills – Strong written and verbal skills, with the confidence to explain technical matters clearly to clients and colleagues.

• Technology Skills – Proficient in audit software and Microsoft Office applications.

• Project Ownership – Takes responsibility for audit assignments, monitoring budgets and ensuring compliance with quality and risk management processes.

• Innovation and Improvement – Willing to contribute to process improvements, adopting new methodologies and approaches to improve efficiency.

• Analytical Thinking – Able to identify potential issues, apply professional judgement, and provide practical solutions.

• Knowledge Sharing – Shares expertise and provides guidance to colleagues, contributing to a culture of collaboration and continuous learning.

• Networking – Begins to build a network of client and professional contacts, supporting both personal development and firm growth.

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Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Forvis Mazars diversity, equity and inclusion are central to our values. We value our people's unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experience, and know this diversity create better outcomes for our clients. We seek to attract, develop, and retain the best talent, inclusive of sex, ethnicity, disability, socio-economic background, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, and faith. We select candidates based on skills, knowledge, qualifications, and experience and aim to support all our team members to reach their potential. At Forvis Mazars, we promote an environment in which you can grow your skills, belong to a team that values your ideas, and make an impact that matters.