Audit and Tax Manager

Job Description Job Title Manager Audit & Tax (Operations Lead) Reporting to Managing Director Location Dubai, UAE Role Objective This role exists to run the firm's day-to-day delivery engine. The Manager will own audits, clients, people, and processes so the MD can focus on growth, strategy, and positioning. This is not a support role. This is an ownership role without equity. Role Description / Core Responsibilities End-to-End Audit & Assurance Management Independently manage audit assignments from engagement signing to issuance of audit reports. Plan audits, allocate resources, set timelines, and ensure compliance with: - IFRS - UAE Commercial Companies Law - Free Zone / Mainland regulatory requirements Review working papers, resolve audit issues, and ensure quality control before partner sign-off. Act as the primary audit point of contact for clients, regulators, and external stakeholders. Ensure audits are delivered on time, within scope, and without rework. Client Ownership & Engagement Control Act as firm-level relationship owner for assigned clients. Manage: - Engagement scope - Deliverables - Timelines - Fee realization Proactively handle client escalations, scope creep, and expectation management. Ensure zero surprises for clients and MD. Maintain professional communication standards across email, calls, and meetings. Team Leadership & People Management - Manage and lead a team of 34 accountants/auditors. - Assign, delegate, and monitor work using clear deadlines and quality benchmarks. - Conduct: - Weekly task reviews - Performance feedback - Skill-gap identification - Train junior staff on: - Audit methodology - Documentation standards - Professional communication - Build a high-accountability culture, not a dependency culture. SOPs, Controls & Operational Excellence Design, document, and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for: - Audit engagements - Client onboarding - Deliverable tracking - Internal reviews Introduce process improvements to reduce turnaround time, errors, and rework. Track operational KPIs such as: - Engagement cycle time - Staff utilization - On-time delivery ratio Drive continuous improvement initiatives aligned with firm growth. Engagement Letters & Commercial Documentation Draft and finalize Engagement Agreements post commercial approval by MD. Ensure scope clarity, risk protection, and regulatory compliance in all agreements. Coordinate with MD on: - Scope variations - Change orders - Additional billing opportunities Maintain engagement documentation and renewal tracking. Compliance & Risk Management Ensure firm compliance with: - Audit regulations - AML requirements (to the extent applicable) - Professional conduct standards Identify and flag risk clients, risky scopes, and fee-risk situations early. Capacity Planning & Workload Forecasting Plan team capacity against incoming and ongoing engagements. Alert MD in advance on: - Resource constraints - Hiring needs - Seasonal workload spikes Optimize utilization without burning out the team. Internal Reporting to Management Provide weekly operational reports to MD covering: - Engagement status - Delays and risks - Team performance - Client issues Act as the MD's eyes and ears inside delivery operations. Contribution to Firm Growth (Non-Sales) Support MD in: - Pricing logic - Scoping discussions (technical input) - Proposal structuring Identify upsell and cross-sell opportunities from existing clients. Improve client retention through execution excellence. Authority & Decision Rights - Authority to manage day-to-day client delivery independently. - Authority to delegate and re-prioritize internal work. - Commercial decisions remain with MD, but execution decisions rest with the Manager. Ideal Candidate Profile (Reality-Based) - 58 years experience in audit/accounting firms (UAE experience preferred). - Strong hands-on audit background (not just reviewer). - Proven experience managing teams and clients. - Comfortable with accountability, deadlines, and pressure. - Process-oriented, not ad-hoc. - Communicates clearly and professionally. Performance Metrics (How Success Will Be Measured) - On-time audit completion rate - Client satisfaction & retention - Reduction in MD operational involvement - Team productivity and error reduction - SOP adoption and operational consistency Qualifications Required - CA (Chartered Accountant ICAI or equivalent) or - ACCA (Affiliate or Member minimum) or - CPA (US or equivalent) or - ACA / ICAEW