Associate Director - QEL at EY

Experienced Manager: Quality Enablement

The current environment, changes in standards (most notably ISQM 1), increased regulatory activity, and the firm’s focus of the Next wave strategy has resulted in a need for increased depth of the existing QEL function and an appropriate demographic spread of resources across Africa.

One of the significant controls and coaching activities of the QEL has been to run a pre issuance quality review program for select engagements across Africa to ensure quality in audit files and prevent Inspection findings. Given the growing demand to increase these reviews the QEL is planning to expand these activities. We are looking for experienced assurance resources, preferably from within the firm. Significant institutional knowledge is critical to the success of the role. Consideration will be given to candidates with similar experience from outside the firm.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Contribute to the expansion of a high-performing review team that promotes audit quality in the region
• Identify quality inspection themes and benchmark against AQR, GDS reviews and inspection findings
• Integrate and facilitate Project Management of QEL initiatives (incl. Canvas Milestones, Archiving, Project Insights, Quality Key Performance Indicators, Partner Workload, pro-active risk monitoring etc.) for engagements under the review program
• Execute reviews on selected engagements with the Africa region.
• Project manage the review program including assignment and oversight of reviews performed by Managers, provide inputs on scoping of the review, trouble shoot technical queries. Mentor and guide junior team members.
• Promote knowledge sharing, coaching and development of best practises between engagements and peers.
• Provide where required AQR support and participate in root cause analysis of process for engagements that are part of the review process.

Required skills & experiences:

• Experienced senior manager with client facing experience of large listed clients – 6 to 9 Years’ experience
• Strong desire to help and collaborate with the teams and leadership to enhance quality
• Strong coaching skills in working with audit teams
• Strong risk management skills
• Demonstrates commitment in executing key audit quality initiatives
• Integrity and objectivity; courage to raise concerns 
• Expert audit knowledge
• Strong inter-personal skills, communication and presentation skills.
• Experience of having faced IRBA / AQR inspections/Regulatory
• Ability to lead the resolution of more complex inspections and issues on a timely basis
• Ability to identify and manage potential conflict
• Strong people and teaming skills; demonstrates commitment to the firm’s diversity and inclusiveness efforts
• Strong communications and project management skills
• Respected as someone who inspires, leads and drives meaningful change, including process improvements, as part of our continuous improvement in quality
• Ability to work closely with region/area leadership and the professional practice group
• Audit technical experience with cross country and other BIG 4 experience would be an added advantage
• IT Audit qualifications, e.g. CISA advantageou