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KPMG is looking to consolidate its leading position within the Insurance marketplace by appointing talented and enthusiastic auditors into newly-created manager roles. Our insurance audit department is expected to grow significantly in the next 3 to 5 years based on recent audit tender results. In addition, the forthcoming new requirements from the IASB will generate a significant amount of change in the insurance industry. As a trusted partner within the industry, KPMG will be supporting insurance companies throughout this accounting change across a range of disciplines including financial reporting, actuarial, IT and management consulting disciplines.

Successful applicants will have the opportunity to be working on some of the largest opportunities in the marketplace and will be exposed to excellent career development within a fast-growing, multi-disciplinary team. Working alongside directors and partners, you will be in a senior client facing role, forging strong relationships with top tier insurance clients.


The Role:


As an Audit Manager, you’ll be involved in all aspects of leading and delivering audit engagements, from planning through to completion on a broad spectrum of Insurance clients. The role will include executive level client interaction and exposure to multiple clients on an annual basis, as well as daily tasks such as:

- Leading a field work team including supervising and coaching more junior members of staff to help them reach their full potential Reporting to audit Partners and Directors on all salient points arising from audits
- Acting as the initial point of contact throughout the year for your clients; managing timetables, anticipating costs, raise fees and agree dates for cash collection. Planning and execution of audit fieldwork and statutory reporting across a portfolio of clients Project management of all aspects of audit including agreeing audit timelines, team briefings, and supervision and delivery of audit work
- Budgeting and monitoring the financial performance of projects, focusing on optimising profitability Identifying, researching and helping to resolve complex audit issues Preparing client deliverables, building relationships with the client staff and acting as an ambassador for the firm
- You may also have the opportunity to work on specific audit related projects across the audit function
- Being a performance manager to trainee accountants

The Person:


Qualifications & Skills:


- Must possess professional qualification; ACA, ACCA or CPA (or international equivalent)
- Must demonstrate gravitas and impact to earn trust and respect amongst senior leadership and the team
- Established strong leadership skills and proven ability to provide clear directions and constructive feedback

Knowledge & Experience:


- Significant financial statement audit experience, ideally within professional services
- Extensive external audit experience with financial services clients, ideally in the Insurance sector
- Demonstrated practical knowledge of FRS, IFRS and topical matters relevant to insurance audits
- Experience in IFRS 17, US GAAP, Solvency II and CASS rules preferable, though not essential
- Proven ability to identify and pursue business opportunities whilst maintaining a solution mind-set
- Knowledge of developments within the financial sector and proven ability to proactively build strategic partnerships and influence senior leaders Drive and resilience to deliver in a pressured environment
- Commitment to building the reputation of KPMG through the quality of work, knowledge and experience relevant to the industry

Role and Responsibilities

KPMG’s Insurance tax team, part of the wider FS tax team, is a group of around thirty tax professionals of all grades, including three partners and two directors. The team is spread across three sites – London, Bristol and Edinburgh. The team works as a national team and location does not dictate client allocation.

Our business covers the full gamut of insurance clients, including major UK-based insurers, international insurance groups, life insurers, pension product and other specialist providers, and brokers.

The core insurance team provides mainly corporate tax advisory and M&A services, and facilitates the provision of corporate tax compliance services, as well as tax advisory services covering the full range of non-corporate taxes. We are generally the main point of contact for the client for all taxes.

The extent of change affecting the Insurance sector has raised enormous opportunities and significant challenges for KPMG.

Regulatory, reporting and legislative change, as well as changes in the underlying market climate (appetite to claim, claimant fraud, risk profile change, technology impact) are driving insurance companies to embrace transformational change both to internal systems and to client facing products and operations. There are significant opportunities around these changes, often not tax driven, but which have tax impact where we can contribute positively for our clients.

The situation is complicated by EU audit reform, meaning that market share growth opportunities, are significant.

We are therefore looking for capable, enthusiastic professionals with experience of the insurance market, and of corporate tax for insurance groups. To be credible at a senior level, our staff must have in-depth knowledge of the insurance sector and the challenges it faces, not just a strong tax background.

The Tax Manager role involves helping lead the delivery of corporate tax and M&A sales relating to insurance clients. Work can involve general insurance, life assurance, brokerage and Lloyds clients, and may involve any aspect of corporate tax, including product taxes, and wider cross-discipline projects.

In addition to delivery, the role will include building client relationships as part of wider client service teams and embedding tax into opportunities where relevant, as well as taking tax propositions to clients.

Another key aspect of the role is to be a role model in terms of knowledge sharing and coaching staff so that they build their insurance specialism and we have a team ready to meet market demand.

The role is a national role but will be based primarily in London.

The successful candidate should have a strong desire to be a dynamic part of an active insurance tax team and have the capability to progress to director within two years and lead a local FS tax team.

Qualifications and Skills

Chartered Tax and/or Chartered Accountancy and/or equivalent legal/HMRC/international qualification is essential.

Experience and Background

The successful candidate should be able to demonstrate:

· Deep technical knowledge and experience in relation to insurance groups, including experience in all or some of the following fields: life insurance tax, general insurance tax, tax for Lloyds groups, and tax for insurance brokers;

· In-depth knowledge and experience of the issues faced by the insurance sector – either or both of life and general insurance;

· Possession of sound judgement, including the ability to identify and evaluate risk issues, and knowing when to involve others;

· Pro-active in identifying and progressing business opportunities for the long term benefit of the business;

· A track record of helping to lead / leading large, complex, high intensity projects, with a focus on accountability, high quality and timely delivery;

· Ability to communicate effectively at all levels (internally and externally) and be a team player; strong interpersonal skills are required in addition to strong oral and written communication skills with an ability to build and motivate teams.

· High level analytical skills and a commercial approach to resolving issues and providing advice; ability to apply knowledge of fundamental tax principles in identifying potential technical issues and opportunities;

· Adaptability and dynamism;

· Ability to multi-task and be organised;

· Desire to coach and develop more junior members of the team in order to build specialisms rapidly and respond to market demand;

· A strong desire to gain and continually improve his/her knowledge of the insurance market, insurance products, and insurance-related taxes.

At KPMG, our values define who we are and the way we do business. As a leading professional services firm, we know that our strength and capability come from our people – their different perspectives, experiences and backgrounds. From our inclusive leadership strategy to our diversity and inclusion targets – we’re making bold changes to who we are and what we do. Be part of it. You will have the opportunity to work within a dynamic team and will benefit from extensive training, professional development and performance management to help you meet your professional goals.

We are looking for experienced auditors to join the Audit practice within Asset Management. We currently have opportunities in the London Office.

Our Investment Management team works with a variety of market leading clients ranging from some of the largest traditional asset management groups in the UK to the top five hedge fund managers in Europe; and from some of the largest private sector pension schemes and real estate investors in the UKs. We have won a number of tenders in the last few years and expect to grow significantly in the next 3 to 5 years.

We offer a supportive working environment with benefits packages tailored to the individual to help achieve a good work life balance. Your role will include executive level client interaction across multiple clients, giving superb opportunities for personal and professional growth within a Big 4 environment.

The Role:


As a Senior Manager, you’ll be involved in leading the delivery of a portfolio of our largest, highest profile clients using your sector experience to deliver exceptional client service. Your responsibilities will include:

- Supervising, mentoring, and coaching junior staff including promoting audit quality
- Managing partner involvement on audits, providing progress reports as required
- Acting as the initial point of contact throughout the year for your clients
- Budgeting and monitoring the financial performance of engagements, focusing on optimising profitability
- Regularly and proactively communicating with senior clients on relevant industry matters
- Acting as a department lead on your area of sector expertise
- Keeping up to date with KPMG's product and service offerings and identifying the sales opportunities that will help us grow our business
- Establishing and maintaining strong internal and external networks within the industry
- Communicating with clients and subject matter experts on technical matters relevant to Investment Management audits
- Actively driving the planning of the audit, as well as the actual fieldwork at interim and final, statutory audit and completion work
- Working on tenders and working as part of the relevant independence team
- Be part of the Investment Management department management group and drive firm’s strategic initiatives
- Performance manager for other qualified accountants to help them reach their full potential
- Building the reputation of KPMG through the quality of work, knowledge and experience relevant to the industry

The Person


Qualifications & Skills:

- Must possess professional qualification; ACA, ACCA or CPA (or international equivalent)
- Demonstrates gravitas and impact to earn trust and respect amongst senior leadership and the team
- Established strong leadership skills and proven ability to provide clear directions and constructive feedback
Knowledge & Experience:

- Significant financial statement audit experience
- Extensive external audit experience in the Asset Management sector
- Demonstrated practical knowledge of FRS 102, IFRS and technical matters relevant to your area of Investment Management expertise
- Experience in US GAAP preferable, though not essential
- Experience in CASS rules preferable, though not essential
- Experience in controls reporting engagements (e.g. AAF, ISAE 3402) preferable, though not essential
- Experience working on tenders preferable, though not essential
- Experience adding to the audit department outside of day to day delivery (e.g. developing and leading training)
- Proven ability to identify and pursue business opportunities whilst maintaining a solution mind-set
- Knowledge of developments within the financial sector and proven ability to proactively build strategic partnerships and influence senior leaders
- Drive and resilience to deliver in a pressured environment
We recognise that as individuals, we each have particular needs and that one size doesn’t fit all, when it comes to how, when and where you work. That’s why we’re proud to offer our colleagues agile working options. We believe in putting you at the centre of your career – KPMG will offer the training, development and stimulating work environment to help you get to where your career ambitions are. That’s why we introduced ‘Our Deal’ – it’s our way of saying ‘thank you’ for bringing your best to work. As part of ‘Our Deal’, you may benefit from a range of rewards from secondment opportunities and preferential banking services to a day off on your birthday and have open, honest conversations about your career development.

The Department

The team in
Manchester provide audit services across a range of sectors and has a diverse client base ranging from smaller owner managed businesses and private equity backed organisations through to FTSE and AIM listed businesses.

The Responsibilities

Manage and deliver audit engagements from planning through to completion. The role will require proficiency in IFRS and UK GAAP. You will have your own portfolio of clients with responsibility for agreeing audit timetables, briefing the audit team, including other specialists, monitoring budgets and supervising the KPMG audit process. This will include:

· To manage engagements, overseeing in-charge and audit assistants work ensuring compliance with client, statutory and KPMG requirements, appreciating relevant internal and external market factors, ensuring the effective and timely delivery of engagements
· Oversee and direct the budgeting, planning, co-ordination and control of engagements in accordance with client, statutory, KPMG and business requirements to ensure effective service delivery and maximised recoverability
· Direct, coach and mentor between 4 and 8 audit staff in a performance manager role taking responsibility for overseeing their portfolio, business and personal issues and delivering feedback throughout the year
· Nurture and seek worthwhile relationships with clients, business departments and staff, for the sharing of information and to identify and progress current and future Audit requirements
· Contribute towards the creation, implementation and delivery of the Audit Business Plan and offer support in relation to issues identified as a result of organisational or client focus change
· Assist the Partner or Director in monitoring the effectiveness of Audit services delivered, providing feedback and reflection on the quality of service accordingly
· Preparation of reports to senior management and Audit Committees

There will be opportunity and encouragement for additional responsibilities outside this day to day role, such as working on tenders for potential new clients and assisting with training courses for in-charges and audit assistants.

The Individual

· Leadership skills and ability to act as a role model
· Drive and resilience and ability to thrive in a pressured environment whilst working as a team with support from Directors, Managers (where applicable) and in-charges
· Knowledge and experience of auditing and experience of systems/controls testing as well as substantive auditing - you will be able to deepen your understanding of consolidations, group audit and review of statutory accounts and disclosures
· Well-developed supervisory skills e.g. coaching and motivation
· Project management techniques; this role will test and develop your expertise in decision-making, analytical skills, time management, organisation and evaluative skills
· Strong communication and inter-personal skills, both verbal and written
· Proven research skills e.g. information seeking and knowledge sharing, understanding and interpreting information/applying knowledge
· Well-developed understanding of the wider commercial background KPMG operates in demonstrating awareness of the issues facing our clients on a day to day basis

Qualifications and Skills

· Time and exam Qualified Accountant - ACA, ACCA or country equivalent
· Sound working knowledge of IFRS and UK GAAP
· IT literacy with sound knowledge and experience of Excel/Word/PowerPoint

· Recent and significant experience as a Senior Manager (or experienced Manager) in an audit capacity within a top 10 accountancy firm
· Current experience of accounting and financial reporting standards including IFRS and UK standards
· Significant audit experience for large, mixed sector corporate clients

At KPMG, our values define who we are and the way we do business. As a leading professional services firm, we know that our strength and capability come from our people – their different perspectives, experiences and backgrounds. From our inclusive leadership strategy to our diversity and inclusion targets – we’re making bold changes to who we are and what we do. Be part of it.

The Team

KPMG is looking to consolidate its leading position within the Financial Services Audit sector by appointing talented and enthusiastic auditors into newly-created manager roles. This is a fast growing practise which is expected to grow further significantly in the next 3 to 5 years based on recent audit tender results. The department is made up of a large group of client facing staff delivering a range of audit and advisory engagements across a broad spectrum of Financial Services firms from sectors such as insurance, banking, building societies and investment management. The team is spread across Bristol and Cardiff therefore, the successful candidates can be based in either location.

Our Bristol office is situated in Queen Square on a short walking distance from Temple Meads Station and is well placed for commuting by car or bicycle. Our staff work over 3 floors and the office has a lively cross-functional social scene. The office has the mix of working with big organisations whilst also maintaining that close-knit office environment. All offices have canteen facilities.

Our Cardiff office is next to the Welsh Assembly in Cardiff Bay and has glorious views across the bay with parking facilities available for the use of staff. As a smaller office, it mixes the benefits of working for a Global Organisation with a small office feel, with staff working closely with each other across all departments.

The Role

We are currently looking for qualified Accountants at Senior Manager level to join our Financial Services Audit department in Cardiff or Bristol during a significant period of growth.

Responsibilities:

As a Senior Manager, you’ll be involved in leading the delivery of a portfolio of our largest, highest profile Financial Services clients using your sector experience to deliver exceptional client service. Your responsibilities will include:

- Supervising, mentoring, and coaching junior staff including promoting audit quality Managing partner involvement on audits, providing progress reports as required.
- Acting as the initial point of contact throughout the year for your clients.
- Budgeting and monitoring the financial performance of engagements, focusing on optimising profitability.
- Regularly and proactively communicating with senior clients on relevant industry matters.
- Acting as a department lead on your area of sector expertise.
- Keeping up to date with KPMG's product and service offerings and identifying the sales opportunities that will help us grow our business.
- Establishing and maintaining strong internal and external networks within the industry insurance and Investment Management audits.
- Actively driving the planning of the audit, as well as the actual fieldwork at interim and final, statutory audit and completion work.
- Working on tenders and working as part of the relevant independence team.
- Be part of the Investment Management or Insurance department management group and drive firm’s strategic initiatives.
- Performance manager for other qualified accountants to help them reach their full potential .
- Building the reputation of KPMG through the quality of work, knowledge and experience relevant to the industry

The Person

Experience & Skills:

- Must possess professional qualification; ACA, ACCA or CPA (or international equivalent)
- Recent and extensive financial statement audit experience within the Financial Services sector
- Recent and extensive external audit experience at Senior Manager level in the Financial Services (Banking/ Insurance/ Investment Management) sector.
- Recent demonstrated practical knowledge of FRS, IFRS and technical matters relevant to your area of Financial Services expertise
- Experience working on tenders
- Must demonstrate gravitas and impact to earn trust and respect amongst senior leadership and the team
- Established strong leadership skills and proven ability to provide clear directions and constructive feedback
- Experience adding to the audit department outside of day to day delivery (e.g. developing and leading training)
- Proven ability to identify and pursue business opportunities whilst maintaining a solution mind-set
- Knowledge of developments within the financial sector and proven ability to proactively build strategic partnerships and influence senior leaders
- Drive and resilience to deliver in a pressured environment

We recognise that as individuals, we each have particular needs and that one size doesn’t fit all, when it comes to how, when and where you work. That’s why we’re proud to offer our colleagues agile working options. We believe in putting you at the centre of your career – KPMG will offer the training, development and stimulating work environment to help you get to where your career ambitions are. That’s why we introduced ‘Our Deal’ – it’s our way of saying ‘thank you’ for bringing your best to work. As part of ‘Our Deal’, you’ll benefit from a range of rewards from secondment opportunities and preferential banking services to a day off on your birthday and have open, honest conversations about your career development.