Head of Finance = Audit

Job description

Lead the financial management of the Audit capability, helping senior leaders understand performance, manage risk and make well-informed commercial decisions. You will oversee reporting, budgeting, forecasting, financial controls and key year-end judgements, while improving processes and supporting the effective delivery of external and internal audit requirements. Working closely with the Audit Finance Director, Audit leadership and finance teams across the firm, you will lead the Audit Finance team and turn complex financial information into clear, practical insight. This is an opportunity for a qualified accountant to influence a major business area, strengthen financial governance and develop a team while contributing to high professional and audit-quality standards. 

About the role 

This role sits within Group Corporate Services, which brings together the internal services that enable the firm to grow, manage risk and operate effectively. Within Group Finance and Commercial, the team uses financial data and commercial insight to support decision-making, protect profitability and maintain accurate, policy-compliant reporting. 

Reporting to the Audit Finance Director, you will oversee the financial activities of the Audit capability, including revenue reporting, budgeting, forecasting, financial risk, policy implementation and process improvement. You will manage the Audit Finance team and work with senior stakeholders across Audit, Financial Control, Commercial Finance and Financial Reporting. The role may be offered on a permanent basis or as a 24-month secondment, is full-time, and can be based at any office location. 

Roles and responsibilities 

• Ensure financial matters across the capability comply with relevant laws, regulations, accounting standards and Group accounting policies. 
• Partner with the Audit Finance Director to develop and manage the annual budget and long-term plan. 
• Lead month-end close, management reporting, performance analysis and forecasting to provide clear insight for decision-making. 
• Strengthen financial controls and improve processes across Audit, with a particular focus on effective use of offshore support and artificial intelligence. 
• Lead the assessment and management of significant financial judgements ahead of the year-end close. 
• Coordinate with Group Financial Reporting, external auditors and client delivery teams to deliver accurate and timely audit information. 
• Lead ad hoc financial reporting projects and respond to external financial data requirements. 
• Manage the Audit Finance team
• Manage the relevant internal audit activity, ensuring actions are followed through and professional standards are maintained. 

This role will report to the Finance Director for KPMG UK Audit. Key stakeholders will include members of the wider Audit Leadership team, particularly the Audit COO. The role will also work closely with Performance Group Leaders (PGLs), Heads of Performance and Operations (PGL HoPOs), Group Financial Control, Commercial Finance and Financial Reporting teams.

Experience and skills needed 

• Demonstrable audit experience, ideally gained in a large or complex accounting environment. 
• Evidence of communicating complex financial matters clearly and influencing senior stakeholders and decision-makers. 
• Experience analysing complex financial data, reviewing financial models and translating findings into practical insight. 
• Ability to identify and evaluate complex accounting matters, apply sound judgement and recognise when specialist consultation is needed. 
• Proven project-management capability, including coordinating stakeholders, priorities and deliverables. 

Qualifications required 

• ACA or ACCA qualification, or an equivalent recognised professional accountancy qualification.