Assistant Manager - International Institutions & Donor Assurance

Ideas | People | Trust

We’re BDO. An accountancy and business advisory firm, providing the advice and solutions businesses need to navigate today’s changing world.

Our clients are Britain’s economic engine – ambitious, entrepreneurially-spirited and high‑growth businesses that fuel the economy - and the owners and management teams that lead them.

We’ll broaden your horizons

Our International Institutions and Donor Assurance (IIDA) team works closely with global clients such as UN agencies, the European Commission, Foundations and other Development Agencies, particularly those involved in international development. IIDA provides assurance services, including financial and systems audits, certifications, internal control assessments, technical assistance, and consultancy services to international institutions.

Over the past 30 years, our talented, diverse, and multi-lingual team, which includes both graduates and experienced specialists, has established itself as global leader in their field, across a range of disciplines. Our team applies their skills, knowledge, and ambition to a variety of challenges with a genuine passion.

We’ll help you succeed

As an Assistant Manager, lead meetings with clients and beneficiaries (virtually and in person), coordinate and lead audit teams, and write audit reports. Represent IIDA and BDO in person leveraging French and English language capabilities before multiple stakeholders which can include multiple international development agencies and partners.
You'll be required to travel internationally, dependent on travel restrictions and the requirements of the assignments. Perform remote audits managing teams both on-site and virtually. You'll acquire and in depth understanding of the development sector and the activities of the international donor community.

The role of an Assistant Manager is both challenging and rewarding, and offers travel experiences that very few other roles can match. In the role, you’ll:

• Prepare a tailored plan for all assignments based on a good understanding of the terms of reference and the applicable contractual conditions
• Lead opening meetings with clients and auditees and present the audit findings clearly and credibly at closing meetings (virtually and/or on site)
• Leading audit teams, including local country based staff, on overseas assignments acting as the client focal point and taking on management tasks
• For smaller assignments, be able to work alone
• Demonstrate the ability to identify issues and areas of non-compliance on an assignment and write them up as findings in a detailed, precise and clear way in the assignment report
• Be able to work to tight deadlines and manage time effectively
• Be prepared to travel and perform international assignments (this is dependent on travel restrictions and assignment requirements) – the assistant manager can expect to be on international assignments for up to 50% of their time

When you join us, we’ll make your growth our priority. We’re looking for someone with:

• A professional accountancy qualification (DEC /equivalent OR ACA/ACCA/CIMA)
• Excellent English and with French language capabilities an advantage
• A genuine interest in international development and this sector
• An ability to communicate in a professional, constructive and respectful manner
• Proven track record in audit and assurance work
• A love of international travel (travel can include, but not be limited to, Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East)

We’re in it together

At BDO, we believe that when our people feel valued and rewarded, their potential is unlimited. We offer highly competitive starting salaries and review remuneration packages regularly to ensure that our pay always positively reflects performance. As well offering support with tuition and professional qualifications, we also provide the following benefits, as standard:

• 25 days’ holiday;
• use of up to 10 citizenship days per year as part of BDO’s Citizenship Strategy (e.g. volunteering);
• access to a personal pension scheme, with matched employer contributions;
• life assurance cover;
• and income protection insurance.

That’s not all. We understand that everyone is different so, we offer a range of voluntary benefits to suit every lifestyle. Our flexible benefits platform, Flexcel, means our people can choose from a range of tax efficient options to design a benefit package that best suits them. Through Flexcel, they can:

• buy up to ten days’ extra holiday;
• add on private medical, personal accident, dental insurance or travel insurance;
• enrol in our Bike to Work scheme;
• enjoy discounts off cinemas, dining, and gyms;
• receive an interest free season ticket loan or interest free graduate loan;
• access childcare vouchers;
• take an online health assessment and utilise our employee assistance programme.

You’ll be able to be yourself; we’ll recognise and value you for who you are and celebrate and reward your contributions to the business.  We’re committed to agile working, and we offer everyone the opportunity to work in ways that suit them, their teams, and the task in hand.

At BDO, we’ll help you achieve your personal goals and career ambitions, and we have programmes, resources, and frameworks that provide clarity and structure around career development.

We’re in it together

Mutual support and respect is one of BDO’s core values and we’re proud of our distinctive, people-centred culture.  From informal success conversations to formal mentoring and coaching, we’ll support you at every stage in your career, whatever your personal and professional needs.

We can provide the best support for our clients and people when we’re working side by side.  Our agile working framework helps us stay connected, bringing teams together where and when it counts so they can share ideas and help one another.  At BDO, you’ll always have access to the people and resources you need to do your best work.

We know that collaboration is the key to creating value for our clients and satisfying experiences at work, so we’ve invested in state-of-the-art collaboration spaces in our offices.  BDO’s people represent a wealth of knowledge and expertise, and we’ll encourage you to build your network, work alongside others, and share your skills and experiences.  With a range of multidisciplinary events and dedicated resources, you’ll never stop learning at BDO.

We’re looking forward to the future

At BDO, we help entrepreneurial businesses to succeed, fuelling the UK economy.

Our success is powered by our people, which is why we’re always finding new ways to invest in them. Across 17 UK locations, we are 6,500 unique minds coming together to help our clients reach their ambitions.

We’ve got a clear purpose, and we’re confident in our future, because we’re adapting and evolving to build on our strengths, ensuring we continue to find the right combination of global reach, integrity and expertise. We shape the future together with openness and clarity, because we believe in empowering people to think creatively about how we can do things better

For further information, and to apply, please visit our website via the “Apply” button below.