The role of an Audit Manager

The main responsibilities of an Audit Manager are to:

• manage all aspects of the audit - this includes working closely with others (including the Audit Directors and Supervising Seniors) to deliver a high standard of audit service across a designated portfolio of clients;
• work closely with key client contacts, identifying ways to maximise the relationship with those clients, while focusing on the delivery of added value services;
• participate in Audit New Zealand’s wider leadership team, including participating in national Director and Manager events; and
• take a local leadership role, ensuring that staff in the local office are motivated, understand the broader context of our work, and are appropriately trained and mentored.

Key relationships

To carry out these responsibilities, an Audit Manager needs to develop and maintain positive working relationships with:

• clients within their portfolio, including where appropriate Chief Executives, second-tier managers, Chief Financial Officers, and Audit and Risk Committee members;
• selected staff from within the Office of the Auditor-General, but particularly Sector Managers; and
• colleagues within Audit New Zealand, including all Executive Leadership Team members (Executive Director, General Manager Operations, General Manager Professional Practices, Assistant Auditor-General Corporate Services), the Professional Practices Group, other Managers and Directors, and staff in their local office.

Required experience and qualifications

An Audit Manager will be a Chartered Accountant (CA) with the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants, and have at least three years post CA auditing experience, as well as experience leading and managing teams.

We will consider people with overseas qualifications who are able to become a Chartered Accountant with the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants within 12 months of being appointed, and people who are Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) qualified.

Required competencies

ACCOUNTING TECHNICAL:

• Knows how International Accounting Standards apply in New Zealand.
• Knows how to use the Opinions Review Committee and the documentation requirements.

AUDIT STANDARDS AND ETHICS:

• Knows the requirements of the Quality Control Manual and independence policies of Audit New Zealand and how to apply them.
• Knows the key ethical areas and what should be done.

METHODOLOGY:

• Knows how the audit methodology applies to the conduct of the annual audit.
• Understands the Legislative Audit Model and how to apply it to the audit.

SECTOR KNOWLEDGE AND COMPETENCE:

• Knows the different sectors and their background.
• Understands the current issues and legislation in the sectors and how to apply the relevant audit procedures.

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT / TEAMMATE / IT SKILLS:

• Knows how the electronic tools and systems work within our business context, and how to apply them to the audits being carried out.

BUSINESS ACUMEN:

• Knows how the organisation (Audit New Zealand and the Office of the Auditor-General) works.
• Understands the business, client, and sector context within which we operate.
• Exercises professional judgement to ensure successful business outcomes.

ACTION:

• Plans, organises, and resources appropriately.
• Acts decisively.
• Ensures that high quality services, key objectives, and commitments are delivered within given timeframes.

GUIDE PEOPLE:

• Provides clear performance expectations and feedback.
• Helps develop skills and confidence, including in those reporting to you, by diagnosing individual’s levels of capability and motivation, and coaching them for high performance and high engagement.
• Acts as a role model and mentor for others, by teaching and embedding values as well as skills.

GUIDE TEAM:

• Develops and maintains a constructive team culture.
• Takes the time to celebrate success.

GUIDE ORGANISATION:

• Is future focused, understands the operating environment, influences strategy and communicates to staff in a compelling manner, ensuring all understand what they need to do to contribute.
• Shapes Audit New Zealand’s processes and functions to enable delivery into the future.

COMMUNICATE CLEARLY:

• Keeps self and others informed and up to date in a timely manner.
• Delivers messages directly and honestly in a timely manner.
• Builds professional relationships with colleagues and clients.

WRITING SKILLS:

• Knows how to construct clear and concise reports and workpapers, applying the plain English standard of the wider Office.

BUILD RESILIENCE:

• Good leaders are aware of the impact they have on others, for good or ill. They manage themselves well, and are organised and disciplined. They are positive and optimistic.
• Good leaders look after themselves and understand how to manage the stress levels of those working for and with them.
• Good leaders take a positive solution-focused approach to problems and obstacles.

Page last updated: 16 April 2012