2026 SAAA First Reviewer - Part-Qualified/Semi-Senior

Responsibilities

Purpose and aim of the role

As part of the reviewing team you will be expected to review the basic compliance work carried out by a team of 24 junior work placement students on Annual Governance and Accountability Returns (AGARs) completed by smaller authorities, mainly Parish Councils. There are around 3,500 returns to be reviewed and your work will be subject to review and sign-off by an engagement lead prior to the issue of our external auditor report and certificate.

Duties and responsibilities

• Using our bespoke software:
• Review the work programme completed by the juniors covering the AGAR and supporting documentation submitted by the smaller authorities;
• Consider the appropriateness of the conclusions drawn by the juniors with reference to the information provided by the smaller authorities;
• Identify where insufficient information or explanations have been received and raise review points for the juniors team to follow up with the smaller authority;
• Review the draft external auditor report and certificate prepared by the juniors and amend or approve, as necessary, using the standard wordings provided;
• Sign off the audit file and pass to an engagement lead for final sign off;
• Draw unusual matters and matters of significance to the review team’s attention to ensure a consistent approach is adopted across the team;
• Update the database records to reflect the current position for each review;
• Respond to queries raised by the pool of juniors;
• Liaise with clerks via email and phone, where necessary;
• Jointly manage the performance of the summer placement team members to ensure the team’s performance is optimised and the minimum completion target is met.

Comprehensive training will be provided in the following areas:

• The review process;
• Background to the reviews;
• The Firm’s procedures (including our approach to the reviews and administrative processes such as timesheets);
• The Practitioners’ Guide;
• Identifying areas where further work is required; and
• Use of bespoke software and our Smaller Authorities Database.

Person Specification

• Prior experience in reviewing and providing feedback on junior colleagues’ work is essential
• Ideally ACCA part qualified
• Finance background is preferred
• Strong analytical skills
• Common sense
• Training, supervision and coordination of junior team members
• Excellent organisation skills and a confident manner
• Methodical with an eye for detail and strong follow through
• Professional attitude, appearance and demeanour
• Ability to stay calm under pressure and with a “can-do” attitude
• Ability to set priorities independently
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to exercise tact, good judgement and diplomacy
• Good time management skills
• Flexible in approach to work and willing to learn new skills
• Completes tasks on time
• Takes responsibility
• Uses initiative

This position requires on site attendance at our London office Monday to Friday.