IFS-Risk & Quality and Independence Senior Consultant-Senior Associate

Description

At PwC, we measure success by our ability to create the value that our clients and our people are looking for. Our reputation lies in building lasting relationships with our clients and a focus on delivering value in all we do. We’re a network of firms in 158 countries with more than 236,000 people who are committed to delivering world-class capabilities and quality in assurance, tax and advisory services.

Established in the region for 40 years, PwC Middle East employs over 4,200 people across 12 countries. Complementing our depth of industry expertise and breadth of skills is our sound knowledge of local business environments across the Middle East region. Our tailored solutions help our clients meet the challenges and opportunities of doing business in the Middle East market and beyond.

Job Description & Summary

A career in Risk Management, within Internal Firm Services, will provide you with the opportunity to advance and foster integrity based decision making and conduct by PwC professionals throughout our organisation. You’ll focus on promoting and monitoring compliance with applicable external laws and regulations as well as internal policies and procedures to help manage PwC’s regulatory, litigation, and reputational risk.

Our Risk and Quality team identifies and assists internal teams to mitigate and control client engagement risks. As part of the team, you’ll provide advice to business teams within PwC on sound contract provisions, standards and approaches in accordance with PwC policies, principles and standards.

The Independence Support - Senior Associate is part of the Independence Team and operates across all lines of service. It is responsible for providing support to engagement teams to maintain independence and compliance according to regulatory rules and requirements.
In addition, the senior associate is responsible for administering independence consultations, Joint Business Relationships, simple business relationships (vendors relationships) and other events or relationships that PwC might have with other organisations.

Primary duties and responsibilities

The new hire will be assisting the regional independence team in the
following areas:

Customer
Scope of service reviews

• Preparing draft independence analysis and assistance with the submission of the Authorisation for Services (AFS) for the corresponding audit partners.
• Responding to scope of services related consultations and to assist
• other members of the Independence team with the AFS documentation process.
• Assisting the independence business partners with the business relationship clearances.
• Support the independence business partners with other day-to-day independence related matters.
• Reviewing proposals or draft engagement letters for non-assurance services proposed to audit clients from an independence perspective.
• Chase AFS primary approvers where necessary and provide further guidance to them where necessary.
• Understand the client-specific independence procedures and policies.
• Contribute in developing template materials and make available client-specific policies and procedures to the ME independence network and the practice.

Business relationship reviews

• Conduct initial assessments of Joint business relationships clearance.
• Joint business relationship monitoring and reassessment.
• Vendor relationship reviews.

Other activities

• Consultation database monitoring and assignment of queries among team members.
• Updating a number of Independence systems.
• Performing data reconciliations for Independence monitoring purposes.
• Participating in internal training sessions and contributing to setting the agenda for the calls/meetings.

Learning and Growth

• Liaise with Global to understand AFS system improvement initiatives.
• Adhere to policies and procedures.
• Act as a key resource and liaison to other functional areas of the business, building cross-functional relationships as needed.

Education

• A professional or academic qualification (degree level or equivalent), or extensive relevant and practical experience.

Language

• Fluency in English required, proficiency in Arabic is advantageous.

Overall Experience

• 2+ years of relevant experience in audit or consulting fields.

Specific Experience

• Client facing experience preferably in the Professional Services industry.
• Experience in a top tier Big 4 firm is advantageous.
• An internal transfer from within the firm can be considered.

Knowledge and Skills

• Strong analytical skills.
• Thorough understanding of general/international accounting standards and practices.
• Problem solving skills and innovative mindset.
• Risk averse/risk management skills.
• Process oriented.
• Organization skills.
• Thoroughness and attention to detail.
• Time management skills and proactivity.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ethical conduct.
• A conscientious, ambitious team player, with good self-management skills and an ability to take initiative and share knowledge with peers.

Professional attributes
As a member of the Independence team, the staff member would be expected at a minimum to:

• manage their own work and train other junior team members.
• delegate to others to provide stretch opportunities, and coach to help deliver results.
• proactively raise issues to improve effective team working.
• get involved in activities which help to strengthen the team.

Travel Requirements

0%

Available for Work Visa Sponsorship?

Yes

Government Clearance Required?

Yes

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