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Overview of Firm
PKF is the 11th largest accountancy brand and the 9th largest audit practice in the UK. We are also an active member of PKF International, a global network of legally independent accounting firms that gives us an on the ground presence in 150 countries around the world with access to more than 20,000 people across 440 offices globally.
We provide a full range of audit, accountancy, tax and advisory services, and are experts at simplifying complexity. We are particularly well-known for working with complex clients with challenging issues in fast-moving and highly technical areas, such as the insurance industry, the global capital markets and the not for profit sector. Our aim is to understand people, the organisations they run, and what matters to them, so we can simplify complexity and help them achieve their ambitions.
Introduction to Financial Services Division
We are the sixth largest provider of external audit services to the UK insurance industry. The team also provides internal audit services to a number of major insurance companies and brokers; and we are a leading firm in the Lloyd’s of London insurance market.
We advise clients across the insurance industry, including insurance companies, syndicates and other Lloyd’s entities, mutual insurers, brokers and agents.
We provide external audit services to asset managers, private equity funds, corporate finance firms, and other FCA authorised businesses. We also provide internal audit services to the asset management sector.
The Financial Services division includes a Governance, Risk & Control Assurance (‘GRC’) team of internal audit and assurance specialists who provide a range of second- and third-line assurance services, primarily to the Lloyd’s and London market.
As a GRC Trainee you will study the ICAEW Level 7 apprenticeship.
In the first 12 months of your training, your practical work experience will be similar to that of the other trainees in the Financial Services division – working on accounting and external audit assignments for Lloyd’s syndicates, insurers and insurance intermediaries. After 12 months, you will specialise in working with our GRC clients, providing internal audit and similar services.
Responsibilities
To begin to develop a knowledge of accounting, external audit and internal audit techniques and show commitment to passing the professional examinations
- To begin to develop an understanding of the Financial Services sector and the associated accounting auditing issues
- To begin to develop an understanding of enterprise-wide risk and control frameworks within the Financial Services sector
Job Duties and Responsibilities
- Undertake the work allocated by the assignment leader
- Keep the assignment leader informed about progress at daily meetings
- Ensure attendance at briefing meetings and understand the audit plan
- Complete the work within the budget for each area
- Adopt high professional standards with a business-like approach to work
- Develop a basic knowledge of the laws and regulations affecting FS clients including Lloyd’s, PRA and FCA regulations
- Pass relevant professional examinations first time
- Complete the required CII study exams
- Be able to advise on basic accounting and auditing issues
- Be aware of Institute and internal ethical guidelines
- To accept responsibility for all work performed
- Prepare working papers and draft audit reports to a good standard
Person Specification
- Minimum of a 2.1 degree, attained or expected
- Minimum of 112 UCAS points (excluding general studies)
Personal Attributes
- Be commercially aware
- Computer literate
- Team player
- Good communication skills
- Flexibility
- Strong organisational skills
- Systematic
- Enthusiastic
- Able to work on own initiative
- Good attention to detail
- Ability to prioritise workload
- Work to deadlines
- Ability to spot new business
- Initiative
- Problem solver
- Persuasive
- Ability to draft audit reports to a good standard
