The role of a Supervising Senior

The main responsibilities of a Supervising Senior are to:

• ensure that all aspects of an audit are completed on time and within budget, and in keeping with the expectations set out in the Quality Control Manual and relevant professional standards (this includes  actively leading the audit team, ensuring that all necessary work is allocated appropriately among team members, and ensuring that their work is of an appropriate standard);
• act as the main liaison point with clients while audits are under way.  This includes ensuring that clients and the Audit Manager are kept informed of progress and issues, and that members of the audit team work professionally with client representatives; and
• completing audit work as required.  This will usually be the more technical or complex elements of the audit.

Key relationships

To carry out these responsibilities, a Supervising Senior needs to develop and maintain positive working relationships with:

• clients within their portfolio, including (where appropriate) members of the clients’ finance team, third-tier managers and other relevant specialist staff; and
• colleagues within Audit New Zealand, including Directors and Managers, the Professional Practices Group, and staff in their local office.

Required experience and qualifications

A Supervising Senior will be a Chartered Accountant with the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants and will have at least four years’ auditing experience, as well as experience with leading and managing teams.

People with overseas qualifications who are able to become a Chartered Accountant with the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants within twelve months of being appointed will also be considered for these roles, as will people who are Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) qualified.  Other overseas qualifications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

This is a brief list of the main duties – other responsibilities may arise over time.

Last updated: 16 April 2012