Senior Technical & Compliance Manager

Senior Technical & Compliance Manager

Department: Other

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Stoke on Trent

Description

DJH is an award-winning accountancy firm with offices across the UK and Ireland. We work with businesses as partners - not just for them - to achieve great things together. Our multidisciplinary team delivers a full range of services including audit, accounts, tax, R&D, corporate finance, capital allowances, estate planning and international advice.

Let's talk about the role...

We're recruiting at a senior level to be centre of our compliance and quality framework, whether that's based out of our Head Office in Stoke-on-Trent or one of our Manchester based offices!

As a Senior Technical & Compliance Manager, you will lead DJH’s regulatory and professional compliance obligations, acting as our subject matter expert on all matters relating to audit regulations, ICAEW practice assurance, technical audit monitoring, ethical standards and emerging regulatory requirements. Reporting to the Director of Governance, Risk & Compliance, you will work across all service lines and offices, supporting the firm in maintaining the highest standards of professional conduct and regulatory standing. As part of our team, you'll:

Regulatory Compliance & Quality Management

• Lead the firm's compliance with ICAEW practice assurance and audit requirements and manage all aspects of monitoring visits, including preparation, responses and follow-up
• Own and develop the firm's quality management framework under ISQM 1 and ISQM 2, including the annual evaluation of the system of quality management
• Monitor developments from the HMRC, ICAEW and other regulatory bodies, assessing the impact on firm policies and procedures and communicating findings to Partners and team members
• Maintain and update the firm's compliance manuals, policies and procedures, ensuring they remain current with regulatory requirements
• Track and manage regulatory correspondence, findings, action plans and remediation activity

Technical Audit & Monitoring

• Design and operate the firm’s technical audit monitoring programme, including file selection, review methodology and thematic inspection across all audit service lines
• Lead the evaluation and reporting of audit monitoring outcomes, identifying systemic findings, root causes and trends across the portfolio
• Develop and maintain audit technical guidance, including updates to audit methodology, templates and working paper standards in response to standard changes and monitoring findings
• Liaise with engagement teams on monitoring findings, tracking remediation actions and escalating recurring or significant issues to the Director group

Ethics & Independence

• Act as the primary point of contact for queries relating to the ICAEW Code of Ethics, ethical standards for auditors and the PCRT
• Manage the firm's independence policies, including the register of financial interests, prohibited services and fee dependency monitoring
• Advise on conflicts of interest and maintain the firm's conflict checking procedures
• Oversee compliance with the HMRC tax adviser registration regime, including identifying relevant persons, monitoring ongoing eligibility conditions and maintaining registration records

Audit Standards & Technical Development

• Monitor developments in auditing standards (ISAs (UK), FRC guidance and FRC Audit Quality Review findings), assessing the impact on firm methodology and communicating updates to audit teams
• Maintain and update the firm’s audit methodology and technical resource library, ensuring materials remain current with standard-setter requirements and regulatory expectations
• Support the implementation and ongoing development of the firm’s audit technology platform, working with engagement teams to promote consistent and effective use of audit tools
• Assisting and managing technical queries
• Assist with integration and alignment of compliance policies and systems with new acquisitions

Training & Awareness

• Design and deliver compliance and technical CPD for Partners and team members, covering audit monitoring findings, ethics, regulatory updates and emerging requirements
• Develop and maintain compliance communications including alerts, guidance notes and policy summaries
• Support the induction of new starters on compliance obligations and firm policies

Reporting & Leadership

• Report regularly to the Director group on compliance matters, regulatory developments and the outcomes of the quality management evaluation
• Contribute to firm-wide strategy and quality improvement initiatives
• Build effective relationships across all service lines, offices and support functions

Let's talk about you and your skills...

Hungry for a new challenge, you'll have these essentials:

• ACA, ACCA or equivalent professional qualification
• Significant post-qualification experience in a practice environment, including a compliance, risk or quality management role
• Strong working knowledge of ICAEW practice assurance and audit requirements and ISQM 1 / ISQM 2
• Demonstrable experience of technical audit monitoring or file review, including identifying findings, root cause analysis and driving remediation
• Sound understanding of the ICAEW Code of Ethics, ethical standards for auditors and PCRT obligations
• Strong working knowledge of ISAs (UK), FRC quality and audit standards, and familiarity with FRC Audit Quality Review findings and themes
• Excellent written communication skills - able to produce clear, practical guidance on complex regulatory topics
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple workstreams and competing deadlines
• Confident and credible - able to advise and challenge Directors and senior colleagues constructively
• Pragmatic and solutions-focused, balancing regulatory rigour with commercial awareness
• Exceptional attention to detail and organisational skills
• High degree of personal integrity and professional discretion
• Proactive in identifying compliance risks and driving improvements
• Collaborative and approachable, with the ability to build trust across the firm

Want to know what we'd think is a bonus? You'll have:

• Knowledge of the HMRC tax adviser registration requirements (Finance Act 2025 regime)
• Experience of preparing for and managing ICAEW practice assurance monitoring visits
• Experience of designing or managing a firm-wide technical audit monitoring programme, including reporting to leadership on outcomes and improvement actions
• Previous involvement in delivering compliance training or CPD

Let's talk benefits...

Here’s a few reasons to come and join us, but you’ll find a lot more once you get your feet under the table:

• Competitive salary
• Generous holiday allowance with an extra day off to celebrate your birthday
• Holiday purchase scheme
• Volunteer day
• Flexible hybrid working
• Tailored learning and development
• Salary sacrifice car scheme
• Company pension
• Health MOTs
• Mental health support
• A fully loaded wellbeing, social & community calendar.

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