Assurance - External Audit RTM Senior Associate (Banking/Insurance)

Middle East Assurance Center of Excellence is the PwC ME’s assurance alternative delivery setup Since launching in 2013, the delivery center has been providing a broad range of services to the Assurance business enabling growth and value creation by driving new ways of working to deliver quality and operational efficiency. 

Our center of excellence was established to help the business meet unique resource and service delivery needs, become more competitive in the market and to enhance our value proposition - to our clients and our people. 

As an External Audit Remote Team Member Senior Associate at our Assurance alternative delivery center, you will provide virtual client engagement assistance for our key clients across the region, gaining wide exposure to the GCC market and contributing in delivering the best service to our clients. 

You’ll work as part of a team of problem solvers, helping to solve complex business issues from strategy to execution. Your responsibilities include but are not limited to:  

• Using your analytical skills to analyse the client's financial statements and ensure they adhere to financial regulations.
• Examining financial and accounting records, other documents, and tangible items such as inventory, or plant and equipment.
• Asking a range of questions – from formal written questions to informal oral questions – to a range of individuals at our client organizations.
• Testing the client organization's internal controls and processes.
• Building trust and credibility with the clients by understanding their expectations and delivering high quality services.
• Taking accountability for researching and understanding key facts on the client;s industry information before the engagement begins.
• Communicating with the Manager and/ or Partner in a timely manner with respect to engagement progress – risks, issues, variances from plan in terms of time, budget, etc.
• Taking full ownership of external file completion.
• Analyzing engagement economics of self and field staff and explaining variances from the budgets.
• Reviewing the work of the associate levels and providing them on-job training, coaching and timely constructive feedback to help them grow in their career.
• Ensuring you are adhering to compliance with the risk, quality and independence matters.
• Having an understanding in business development activities to help identify and research opportunities on new/existing clients along with building and maintaining strong relationships with clients.
• Engaging and dealing effectively with diverse teams from the planning through the completion phase of the audit as well as closely following up on the progress of the requested tasks to ensure meeting the timeline and the firm’s internal KPI’s. 
• Taking part in the digital initiatives and upskilling areas which aligns most with your team’s business needs.
• Perform other procedures as necessary to support issuance of the assurance deliverables. 

You are ambitious and you utilize opportunities to grow and develop. In addition, you recognise yourself in the following characteristics:

• A bachelor's degree in accounting, finance or any other related academic major.
• Completed or pursuing a professional qualification, such as ACCA, CA, ACA, CPA (preferably).
• Progressive experience at the Senior Associate level working with a range of external audit clients in a Big 4 professional services firm.
• Experience in auditing Banking / Insurance clients is considered an asset.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills that allow you to thrive in a team environment.
• Bilingual proficiency in Arabic and English (oral and written) is a plus.
• Business development and client relationship building skills.
• Willingness to challenge the ‘norms’ and to create a cohesive and effective working team.
• Excellent project management skills.
• Experience in applying the international standards on Auditing (ISAs) on the external audit of financial services with excellent IFRS knowledge relevant to the FS practice (such as IFRS 9, 17) and financial services regulations.
• Knowledge in any Audit technologies, and experience using Data Analytics tools is a plus.
• Commitment to valuing differences and working alongside diverse people and perspectives.
• Thorough technical skills and experience regarding applicable accounting reporting and auditing standards, with demonstrated exceptional performance.
• Experience in the design of engagement procedures based on risk and materiality.
• Previous experience in coaching and leading engagement teams.
• Strong technical knowledge and having the ability to research issues, present alternatives and conclusions to client/Manager.