Audit Manager position description

We carry out public sector audits on behalf of the Controller and Auditor-General. We help to maintain the financial integrity of New Zealand’s system of government by providing independent assurance that public organisations are operating, accounting for, and reporting their performance as Parliament intended.

Primary objectives

Audit Managers are responsible for leading and managing all aspects of the audits for entities in their portfolio, which may include For-profit and Public benefit entities within central government and/or local government. Audit Managers work closely with clients to ensure that audits are completed efficiently and to a high standard, and to ensure that they receive value from the services received.

Audit Managers also have significant leadership responsibilities within their local office and Audit New Zealand.

General responsibilities and objectives

The main responsibilities of an Audit Manager are to:

• Manage and perform high quality audit and assurance engagements for their assigned client portfolio. This involves:
  • Engaging with client representatives throughout the year, ensuring they understand the entity’s business and its audit risks (both financial and non-financial). This includes understanding the wider context in which the entity operates, and how that may impact the entity and its audit risks;
  • Working with the Appointed Auditor to develop an audit approach which addresses those risks while also meeting relevant professional standards and expectations, including those set by the Auditor-General;
  • Ensuring that all necessary work to collect sufficient appropriate audit evidence has been completed by the audit team before the Appointed Auditor signs the opinion;
  • Working with other experts and the assigned Engagement Quality Reviewers (EQRs), as required;
  • Discussing findings and recommendations with clients, drafting reports for the Appointed Auditor to present to the governing body and/or audit and risk committee if required;
• Work collaboratively with other Audit Managers and the National Audit Workforce Resourcing Manager to ensure that all audit engagements are appropriately resourced, and staff are well utilised throughout the year;
• Ensure the Auditor-General is appropriately represented in all engagements with clients, and act as the Auditor-General’s eyes and ears, keeping OAG people informed about matters of interest;
• Lead within their local office. This involves leading by example (setting the right tone) and working with other Directors and Managers to ensure that a positive one team culture is maintained so that all the people in their local office feel supported. It also includes working collaboratively with the Executive Leadership Team on matters of local and national interest;
• Ensure that Audit New Zealand is a high performing audit practice. This includes ensuring Audit New Zealand’s policies and professional expectations are adhered to, and practice management responsibilities are completed in a timely manner; and
• Assist as required on local office and/or national activities and initiatives, including business improvement initiatives, recruitment and retention initiatives, intern programme, year group support, professional development, sector knowledge networks, and other similar activities.

The value you will bring

Your knowledge and experience

• Detailed knowledge of and experience applying the Accounting Standards Framework (For-profit entities and Public benefit entities) and the International Standards of Auditing;
• At least three years post-qualifying experience, ideally in external audit, in the public sector; and
• Experience leading teams and managing audits.

Your qualifications

Chartered Accountant (CA) with the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) or a member of a similar overseas professional body.

Staff management and relationships

Staff reporting to this position

• Audit New Zealand operates a pooled structure with audit teams forming for each audit engagement. Audit Managers have responsibility for their audit teams.
• Audit Managers also have mentoring and performance management responsibilities for assigned staff. These can range from people in Assistant Auditor to Assistant Manager roles.

Internal relationships

• Colleagues within Audit New Zealand, including all Executive Leadership Team members, in-house specialists (including those in the Specialist Audit and Assurance Services team, Information Systems Audit and Assurance team, Professional Practices Group, and Tax), other Audit Directors and Audit Managers, and other people in their local office.
• Selected people from within the Office of the Auditor-General, but particularly Sector Managers in the Parliamentary and Local Government groups.
• Selected people from within Corporate Services, but particularly members of the Finance team, and the People and Capability team.

External relationships

• Clients at the highest level, including where appropriate Board chairpersons and members, Audit and Risk Committee chairpersons and members, Mayors, Chief Executives, second-tier managers (in financial and non-financial roles) and members of their teams.

Commitment to te Tiriti o Waitangi

Te Tiriti o Waitangi | The Treaty of Waitangi (the Treaty) is New Zealand’s founding document and part of the nation’s constitutional framework. Our independence means we have a role to play in ensuring that the public sector is delivering on its Treaty obligations. As a statutory body performing a public function, we also need to carry out our work in a way that upholds the Treaty. Our vision is to be seen as trustworthy by both Treaty partners, able to hold public organisations accountable in a way that iwi, hapū, and whānau Māori, as well as Parliament and the wider public, can have confidence in.

To help give effect to our commitment to the Treaty, we are building our capability to develop meaningful relationships with Māori and to focus on matters that make a real difference for iwi, hapū, and whānau Māori.

Health and Safety responsibilities

For yourself

• Work safely and take responsibility for keeping yourself and colleagues free from harm.
• Report all incidents and hazards promptly.
• Know what to do in an emergency.
• Co-operate in implementing return-to-work plans.
• Be a visible role model at all times.
• Follow the Office’s safety rules and procedures.

For team

• Inform, train, and equip staff to carry out their work safely.
• Ensure that there is prompt and accurate reporting and investigation of all workplace incidents and injuries.
• Assess all hazards promptly and ensure that they are managed.
• Ensure a safe and healthy workplace for all people using our sites as a place of work.
• Meet all requirements in the Office’s Health and Safety policy and procedures.

Key competencies