Senior Manager - Clara Data Analytics

Job description

Summary of role purpose: 

The Role

Are you a visionary leader who thrives on solving complex problems and steering digital innovation in the Audit & Assurance domain? Our Digital Audit & Analytics team is seeking a Senior Manager with a unique blend of accounting & data analytics, with a profound understanding of the potential unlocked through advanced data techniques. This role is pivotal in identifying and capitalising on opportunities to enhance the efficiency, quality and insight of our Audit & Assurance portfolio.
 
This position is suited for individuals with exceptional data literacy skills, and a data analytics background. As a Senior Manager, you will spearhead data analytics on Audit & Assurance engagements, navigating through the complexities of key finance and operational systems.
 
Joining KPMG’s Clara Analytics and Technology team, you will not only lead but also champion data analytics initiatives, providing strategic direction to engagement teams across all industries.
 
Why Clara Analytics Team?

We’re a team of enthusiastic, talented and innovative people from a diverse set of backgrounds in Audit & Assurance, technology and industry that are motivated by delivering high quality and high impact data and technology solutions to enhance the experience of the professionals and Audit & Assurance entities we serve.
We’re constantly investing in the development of our people through professional training, coaching and a culture of high support – high challenge as well as maintaining our market leading capability by leveraging leading cloud-based technology and building software relationships for Analytics, Automation, Process Mining & AI, to accelerate at pace and anticipate tomorrow – today.
 
What do we do?

The Clara Analytics Team takes end to end responsibility for idea generation, incubation, project management, implementation & delivery and value realisation of data analytics and technology solutions within the context of our Audit & Assurance portfolio and are at the heart of delivering KPMG’s Audit & Assurance of the future.
 
What people are saying?

“Clara is where you can redefine who you are and where you want to go. Since joining the team five years ago, I’ve developed from a data analyst into a product manager, helping to digitally transform the way audits are run. Our partnership with Microsoft makes it exciting to explore the most advanced technology and ensures that with each new project, anything is possible.” James M. Clara Manager
 
“The variety of work projects I’ve been involved in have allowed me to find what I enjoy most and develop these skills, tailoring my work towards my skillset and goals, no two engagements are the same and I learn so much from each experience! With the support of the team, Clara have helped me in my apprenticeship by finding relevant projects for my study and flexibility in balancing study and work.” Sam R. Clara Apprentice
 
“I get to work in a collaborative and supportive environment where I feel valued and I see a clear opportunity for progression in the firm, whilst also doing something I really enjoy. You are able to define your own career path guided by your interests, as there are a wide variety of different opportunities and projects available to you as well as access to different training materials and certifications which you can undertake.” Tatiana D. Clara Manager

Description of the role: 

Work in teams delivering either financial statement audit; technology audit; audit related data, analytics and tools; independent assurance over other info such as regulatory/ESG/internal controls; learning and development; quality/risk/knowledge management; and/or specialist, technical accounting advice (non-audited entities only).

Responsibilities

•    Lead the strategic deployment of technology and D&A across a portfolio of audit engagements, ensuring alignment with overarching firm objectives.
•    Analyse outputs to derive strategic insights and identify areas for deeper testing, elevating the role of D&A within audits.
•    Conduct thorough reviews of D&A outputs, collaborating with technical teams to resolve any discrepancies prior to analysis dissemination.
•    Masterfully present complex analyses to audit teams, utilising visualisation tools (e.g., PowerBI, Celonis) to simplify data interpretation.
•    Lead the technology agenda on audit tenders and Ignition events.
•    Synthesise insights, results and findings into comprehensive reports and presentations for Senior Management and Audit Committees.
•    Guide audit teams on data extractions and establish efficient data sharing processes with audited entities.
•    Oversee the preparation of D&A documentation, ensuring compliance with mandatory requirements and maintaining impeccable audit file documentation.
•    Manage budgets, monitor engagement finances, and ensure timely delivery within scope and budget.
•    Support the wider leadership team in overseeing department-wide team initiatives.
 
Other responsibilities will typically include accountability for leading teams; providing technical, risk & compliance management; operational and quality management support; overseeing project management, budgeting and planning, senior stakeholder management, and analysis and delivery of quality reports; taking part in tenders or proposals; and some performance management responsibilities.

Due to the nature of the role significant time may be spent at client sites/KPMG offices.

Role dimensions:

Technical core competencies required for the role 

Our Global Audit & Assurance Technical core competencies provide clarity and consistency of expectations to ensure the minimum audit technical requirements are being met by level to drive Audit Quality, which is fundamental to achieving our ambition to become the most trusted and trustworthy firm. The relevant competencies for this role are:

Technical knowledge: Understands relevant technical accounting and financial reporting standards, regulations and accounting literature. Exhibits and stays current on appropriate industry and specialized knowledge, and leverages KPMG methodologies (including ESG Assurance). 

Technology skills: Uses firm-approved audit tools and innovative technology solutions to increase audit quality, productivity, and data insights.
Professional scepticism and issue identification: Applies professional skepticism, objectivity and independence to identify and support resolution of potential audit issues.

Risk assessment: Prepares for the audit execution design with a focus on risk assessment
Evaluation of audit results: Evaluates evidence from audit procedures to determine if audit objectives were achieved.

People & Culture 

Embrace and embed our culture ambition of high challenge, high support which is grounded in Our Values.
Operate with a curious and sceptical mindset ensuring that this is embedded in your everyday work.

Actively lead and embed a coaching culture to get the best out of others in an environment where everyone in the team feels empowered to speak up or challenge where appropriate.

Be accountable, professional and act in the public interest, working for the benefit of shareholders of audited entities and wider society.

Be inclusive and embrace the opportunity to work with other teams within Audit and across the firm in an integrated way. Have a sense of community, purpose and fun.

The person:

Experience and knowledge requirements: 

•    Demonstrated leadership in the delivery of financial statement audits and the strategic application of D&A in audit engagements. (E)
•    Adept at navigating complex data, with a keen analytical mind and a curiosity for exploring data’s role within assurance. (E)
•    Proven ability to identify the root cause of issues, providing impactful recommendations and advice to audited entities. (E)

D = Desirable
E = Essential

Behavioural Attributes and Skills: 

•    Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, capable of engaging both technical and non-technical stakeholders effectively. (E)
•    Embracing KPMG values and fulfilling the “People & Culture” role dimensions above. (E)

D = Desirable
E = Essential

Qualifications: 

•    A professional accountancy qualification from a recognised accountancy body is desirable but is not essential. (D)
•    SAP / Oracle certification. (D)
•    Azure/ AWS / Databricks certification. (D)

D = Desirable  
E = Essential

KPMG overview: 

KPMG in the UK is part of a global network of firms that offers Audit, Legal, Tax and Advisory services. Through the talent of over 16,000 colleagues, we bring our creativity, insight and experience to solve our clients’ and communities’ biggest problems. We’ve been doing this for more than 150 years.

We aim to be universally recognised as a place for great people to do their best work. A firm known for our collaborative and inclusive culture, using technology to empower and equip our people to deliver outstanding work with real flexibility – through inspiring workspaces, innovative ways to collaborate and hybrid ways of working.

With offices across the UK, we work with everyone from small start- ups and individuals to major multinationals, in virtually every industry imaginable. Our work is often complex, yet our mission is simple: To support the UK in a connected world. It guides everything we do, underpinned by our values: Courage, Integrity, Excellence, Together and For Better.

KPMG are proud to be an inclusive, equal opportunity employer and we seek to attract and retain the best people from the widest possible talent pool.
As a member of the Business Disability Forum we're committed to ensuring that all candidates are treated fairly throughout the Recruitment Process.

We pride ourselves on being a place where your individuality is valued; you can be yourself and still achieve your potential. We believe that your individuality helps us to deliver the best results to our clients. Diversity of background, diversity of experience, diversity of perspective - that's the KPMG difference.