Audit Manager - Audit Services

About Northern Trust

As a global leader in innovative wealth management, asset servicing, asset management and banking services, Northern Trust (Nasdaq: NTRS) is proud to guide the world’s most successful individuals, families, corporations and institutions.

Since 1889, we have aligned our efforts with our three guiding Principles That Endure: Service, Expertise, and Integrity. Together, they reflect the three cornerstones of business conduct which we strive to instill in our employees, whom we call partners, and to provide to our clients and the communities we serve worldwide.

With more than 135 years of financial experience and over 24,000 partners, we serve the world’s most sophisticated clients using leading technology and exceptional service.

Role

The Audit Manager is responsible for leading and documenting audit engagements across Northern Trust. This role manages audit project teams, provides oversight throughout the audit lifecycle, and communicates engagement results to management. The Audit Manager serves as a technical resource for auditors, coaches junior team members, and partners closely with Senior Audit Managers to define audit scope and develop an effective testing strategy.

Key Responsibilities

General

• Operate independently and manage audit engagements with minimal supervision.
• Lead the execution of one or two audit engagements simultaneously.
• Ensure testing procedures are aligned with key controls and audit objectives.
• Perform and oversee more complex audit assignments.
• Contribute to engagements where acting in a supporting capacity.
• Mentor, coach, and develop junior audit staff.

Planning

• Propose and define audit scope.
• Lead more complex audit engagements as Auditor-in-Charge (AIC).
• Develop testing strategies, Risk and Control Testing Matrices (RCTMs), and Risk Control Matrices (RCMs).
• Complete audit planning documentation and risk assessments.
• Prepare all required sections of the Planning Questionnaire (PQ).
• Conduct audit budget discussions and resource planning.
• Delegate testing assignments across the audit team.
• Facilitate walkthroughs, planning meetings, and stakeholder discussions.

Fieldwork

• Ensure audit engagements remain on track and meet agreed timelines.
• Perform and oversee high-complexity audit testing.
• Lead discussions with stakeholders regarding audit observations and findings.
• Conduct Level 1 reviews of low to moderate complexity testing.
• Challenge identified issues and assist in determining root causes.

Reporting

• Draft audit issues and recommendations.
• Prepare audit reports, including executive summaries and key stakeholder communications.

Data Analytics

• Identify opportunities to incorporate advanced data analytics into audit engagements.
• Support the design and implementation of data-driven audit testing approaches.

Issue Validation

• Perform issue validation testing.
• Draft validation reports and failure memoranda where required.

Knowledge & Skills

• Demonstrates strong professional skepticism and the confidence to challenge existing processes and controls.
• Solid understanding of audit, risk, and accounting principles.
• Strong analytical, organisational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including business writing and presentation capabilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholder relationships effectively.
• Holds or is working towards a relevant professional qualification such as CPA, CISA, CIA, ACA, or ACCA.

Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant audit experience.
• Experience within a financial services institution is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading audit engagements and managing stakeholder relationships.

Valuable Competencies

• Leadership and team development
• Relationship management and influencing skills
• Critical thinking and sound judgement
• Attention to detail
• Project and time management
• Continuous improvement mindset
• Effective stakeholder communication and collaboration

Work Authorization

Applicants must have the right to work in the United Kingdom at the time of application and for the duration of employment.

Please note that Northern Trust is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this role. This includes Skilled Worker visas, Global Business Mobility routes, Graduate visas, Youth Mobility Scheme, High Potential Individual visas, Scale-up Worker visas, Temporary Worker visas, and other employer-sponsored visa categories.

Working with Us

As a Northern Trust partner, you will be part of a flexible and collaborative work culture, which has a strong history of financial strength and stability. Movement within the organization is encouraged, senior leaders are accessible, and you can take pride in working for a company committed to an inclusive workplace and assisting the communities we serve.

Philanthropy is deeply rooted in Northern Trust’s history and is an essential element of our culture. Employees around the world give their time and talent to work for the greater good of their communities.

Reasonable Accommodation

Northern Trust is committed to working with and providing adjustments to individuals with health conditions and disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please email our HR Service Center at [email protected], or alternatively you can discuss your individual requirements with the recruiter you are working with.