Ethics & Independence Team Manager

Corporate Independence

All UK locations | Will consider part time and job share |

More than you expected

Grant Thornton UK is part of a global network of independent audit, tax and advisory firms, made up of some 58,000 people in over 135 countries. We're a team of independent thinkers who put quality, inclusion and integrity first. All around the world we bring a different experience to our clients. A better experience. One that delivers the expertise they need in a way that goes beyond. Personal, proactive, and agile. That's Grant Thornton.

NEW GROUND WON'T BREAK ITSELF

Every day our teams help people in businesses and communities to do what is right and achieve their goals.

The Ethics & Independence team protects the firm and drives quality by making sure we comply with our independence requirements, supporting and enabling our client facing teams at every stage of the client journey as well as supporting our people in relation to their personal independence.

As part of our firm's Quality and Risk function we are aligned to the needs and demands of the service lines, supporting teams in maintaining independence when we undertake audit and other public interest assurance engagements (PIAEs) - as required by the FRC Ethical Standard and the relevant sections of the ICAEW and IESBA Codes of Ethics and in line with Grant Thornton International independence policies where relevant.

We are a team of around 100 people, based in locations across the UK, Trinidad and India, led by the Ethics Partner and covering all areas of Ethics and Independence.

We support individuals in complying with their regulatory obligations regarding personal independence, including personal connections, fit and proper considerations and financial interests.

We conduct UK and International relationship checks for assignment teams as part of the client take-on and continuance processes to ensure that our work does not create any conflicts that could affect our independence or objectivity.

Our team also ensures compliance with regulatory, governance and monitoring obligations, reviewing ethics breaches, and performing compliance monitoring. We also provide digital support and solutions to enhance our practices and processes related to Ethics and Independence.

A look into the role

You will be a member of the Ethics & Independence team working alongside others in the Supporting the Practice (Ethics) – Corporate Independence workstream.

Through your role you will gain experience of a broad range of areas covering all our corporate independence workstreams. You will report to Senior Managers and Directors in the team and play a key role in maintaining the firm's independence.

Your areas of focus will include (but are not limited to)

• responding to formal Ethics and Independence consultations covering a broad range of independence related queries

• non-audit service approvals

• fee consultations

• other independence tasks and consultations where mandatory Ethics approval is required.

An element of the role may also include monitoring responsibilities; this is where we retrospectively review tasks completed by client-facing teams to confirm compliance and identify areas for improvement. The role might also include working on ad-hoc projects from time to time. This is a varied role with many opportunities for individuals to specialise and focus on areas of interest and expertise and build relationships as part of their continued development.

The role can be flexed if required so that it supports your professional development and we are very happy to talk flexible working to support you and balance your work and life. We are a friendly and approachable team, and we enjoy supporting each other to grow and develop.

As a Corporate Independence Manager within the Ethics & Independence team, you will:

• Consistently execute work on time at the volume and quality levels expected, in line with the relevant policies and procedures

• Demonstrate a "can do" attitude, taking ownership of work from start to finish, enabling the firm to do business

• Use judgement to analyse independence matters, identify relevant risks and apply appropriate safeguards or escalation routes

• Support the development of more junior team members by sharing knowledge, providing day-to-day guidance and helping to build capability

• Be a great communicator, able to explain issues to others clearly and professionally

• Be an active listener, receptive to others' viewpoints and take the time to reflect and incorporate these into the work delivered

• Collaborate confidently to build relationships with others within the GT practice, in the Ethics & Independence team and in the firm's wider Quality & Risk function, to help build a positive brand across the practice

• Be respectful and mindful of the confidentiality of our work

• Be excellent at time management and prioritisation through efficient diary management and use of project management tools, juggling multiple priorities and flexing workload when re-prioritisation is needed

• Demonstrate curiosity and professional scepticism; being confident to ask questions and challenge, consulting with others appropriately to bring in expertise and manage risk

• Be able to identify opportunities for efficiency and / or innovation

Knowing you're right for us

Joining us for this role, the minimum criteria you'll need:

• Proven experience within Ethics and Independence in a professional services firm – this can include roles held within an independence or conflict management function or through an audit quality, professional and technical standards or similar regulatory role

• Knowledge and experience of the application of the UK Ethics and Independence requirements (FRC Ethical Standard, ICAEW Code of Ethics, IESBA Code of Ethics)

• Strong judgement skills and the ability to interpret policies, procedures or regulatory requirements and apply them practically to real-life scenarios

• Strong analytical skills and a genuine eye for detail

• The ability to support and review the work of others, giving constructive feedback formally or informally

• Experience in managing a varied workload, prioritising effectively and communicating confidently with senior stakeholders in a fast-paced work environment

• Proficient in MS Office 365 applications e.g. Excel, Word, etc.

It would be great if you had some of the following skills and experience, but don't worry if you don't tick every box, we'll help you develop along the way:

• Knowledge and understanding of auditing and financial reporting requirements

• An understanding of the different services offered by firms like Grant Thornton plus an awareness of the role of other risk functions and specialist teams

• Awareness of risk management systems and control environments

Knowing we're right for you

Embracing uniqueness, the culture at Grant Thornton thrives on the contributions of all our people, we never settle for what is easy, we look beyond to deliver the right thing, for everyone. Building an inclusive culture, where we value difference and respect our colleagues helps our people to perform at the best of their ability and realise their potential.

Our open and accessible culture means you'll interact with leaders who are interested in you and everything you bring to our firm. The things that set you apart, we value them. That's why we give you the freedom to bring your whole self to work and pursue your passions inside and outside of work.

Beyond the job

Life is more than work. The things you do, and the people you're with outside of work matter, that's why we're happy to look at flexible working options for all our roles, and we'll always do our best to keep your work and life in balance.

The impact you can make here will go far beyond your day job. From secondments, to fundraising for local charities, or investing in entrepreneurs in the developing world, you'll be giving back to society. It's that drive to do the right thing that runs through our every move, grounded in our firm's values – purposefully driven, actively curious and candid but kind.

We're looking for people who want to contribute, spark fresh ideas and go beyond expectations. People who want to be able to proudly do what's right, for the firm, our clients, our people and themselves. It's how it should be.

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