Job Description

• The RA is the regulator of audit firms and audit principals in ADGM, responsible for the registration, supervision, monitoring and where necessary sanctioning audit firms and audit principals in ADGM pursuant to the applicable rules and regulations. High audit quality is a key strategic regulatory priority for the RA. High quality audit is crucial in an international financial centre and well functioning financial system, in order to reduce the risk of fraud, to promote trust in financial statements and boost investor confidence.
• The Head – Audit Monitoring, is responsible for overseeing and ensuring the proper, risk based, efficient and effective monitoring (supervision) of audit firms and audit principals in the ADGM. The role is accountable for delivering supervisory outcomes, including forming regulatory judgements, setting supervisory direction, and independently representing the RA in complex or high-impact audit matters.
• The Head – Audit Monitoring, is responsible for promoting high quality audit in the ADGM among audit firms, for ensuring sound monitoring frameworks, policies and procedures, as well as the ongoing, holistic, proactive, risk-based supervision of auditors and audit principals, for maintaining key stakeholder relationships and representing the RA and ADGM with thought leadership in the field of audit regulation.
• The role is responsible for leading a team of audit supervisors in the day to day implementation of the RA’s annual audit supervisory plan, and adopting a best in class risk based supervisory approach. The incumbent is expected to contribute to and implement the continued development and enhancement of the supervisory approach and internal supervisory procedures. The incumbent is expected to be a go to point of expertise when dealing with audit supervisory matters for the rest of the team across a variety of sectors.
• The Head – Audit Monitoring, shall report to the Associate Director, Monitoring.

Strategic responsibilities

• Develop and execute the Division’s supervisory strategy, risk management framework and supervision plans in relation to audit firms and audit principals.
• Provide expert leadership in statutory financial audit, assurance and corporate reporting.
• Set supervisory priorities and determine risk appetite in relation to audit firms and audit principals.

Operational responsibilities

• Develop and ensure adherence to the policies and procedures of the RA.
• Formulate and continuously adapt the risk-based supervisory approach and ensure compliance with it.
• Lead and oversee the periodic risk assessment process for auditors and audit principals.
• Deliver the requirements of the RA’s audit monitoring strategy and framework.
• Develop and lead an annual supervision plan of auditors in ADGM that is structured and executed in accordance with the audit monitoring framework.
• Plan and lead outreach, education and guidance on audit quality, audit standards and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure risk based on-site assessments of ADGM registered audit firms are carried out including audit file reviews.
• Ensure inspections and audit file reviews are risk-focused, evidence-based, and result in clear, defensible supervisory conclusions.
• Lead in developing, setting and delivering the overall M&E monitoring strategy.
• Lead in the structured and consistent execution of the M&E framework, including to identify, assess, report on and respond to firm contraventions.
• Ensure identified contraventions from supervisory activities are appropriately responded to, including the submission of high-quality timely referrals to the RA Enforcement Department.
• Engage proactively with Enforcement to support the development of robust, evidence-based cases.
• Exercise sound supervisory and regulatory judgement in assessing breaches and determining appropriate supervisory or enforcement responses.
• Support the design and delivery of new and on-going Monitoring projects.
• Drive the use of data, analytics and digital tools to enhance risk identification, supervisory efficiency and management information.
• Leverage emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, to enhance supervisory processes and improve efficiency, including supporting the development of scalable tools where appropriate.
• Lead RA’s independent risk-based profiling of ADGM audit entities to effectively and efficiently direct monitoring activities.
• Carry out audit monitoring activities, including outreach, education, reviews, inspections and investigations.
• Collect, collate, review and log information from internal and external notifications, as well as firm filings.
• Set, track and follow up on reminders to firms related to filings, correcting non-compliance and other monitoring operations.
• Contribute to monthly, quarterly and annual reporting by the Monitoring Department on the Audit Section.
• Build and maintain effective audit supervisory stakeholder relationships within ADGM, locally and internationally.
• Ensure timely, accurate, open and constructive communication with audit firms and stakeholders.
• Actively stays abreast of updates to relevant professional standards and applicable rules and regulations.
• Attend and contribute to the work of any international standard organisations and committees as may be required.
• Deliver additional tasks that may be delegated or assigned from the Associate Director, Monitoring.
• Operate with a high degree of autonomy, taking ownership of supervisory issues and resolving matters at source where appropriate.

Relationship Management

• Contribute to maintaining effective supervisory stakeholder relationships within ADGM, locally and internationally.
• Ensure timely, accurate, open and constructive communication with monitored firms and stakeholders.
• Confidently engage with senior audit firm stakeholders and provide clear supervisory challenge where required.

Strategic

• Act as a senior member of the Monitoring Department leadership team, contributing to wider supervisory strategy and cross-sector initiatives.

Managerial

• Creates an environment where team members consistently drive to improve performance.
• Manages team with full accountability for achieving overall agreed objectives.
• Manages by effectively empowering team members.
• Takes responsibility for mentoring high potential and most critical talent in their career progression, and for promoting continuous professional development to ensure technical competence is maintained.
• Reviews performance of team and addresses performance issues quickly through clear decisions.

Information Security related

• Understand, adopt, adhere and practice responsibilities or controls as per ADGM Information Security policy and as per best practices explained in the induction and awareness sessions.
• Confidentiality, Integrity and availability of the ADGM Information shall be maintained at all times i.e. within as well as outside ADGM.

Education

• Minimum bachelor’s degree in an accounting, commerce, legal, financial, or business discipline.

Qualifications

• Professionally qualified accountant from a professional body that is a full member of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC).
• Familiarity with sustainability reporting and assurance standards (e.g. ISSB or equivalent) is desirable.

Work Experience

• 12 – 14 years of experience in the field of audit.
• Minimum of 9 years post qualification experience.
• Evidence of continuous professional development. Possesses strong technical skills and knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), International Standards on Auditing (ISAs), other assurance and sustainability reporting standards.
• Fluent business English speaker with ability to write detailed and precise supervisory reports and briefings within tight deadlines.
• Understanding of the public interest role of regulatory bodies.
• Knowledge of regulatory / supervisory policies and frameworks.
• Analytical, problem solving, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to make sound decisions, based on good professional judgement, analysis and evidence that are well documented.
• Internal and external stakeholder management skills.
• Demonstrated project management, planning, organisation and analytical skills.
• Prior experience in a fast-paced deadline-driven operational environment.
• Experience in risk assessments and early recognition of trends.
• Strong internal and external stakeholder management skills.
• Excellent influencing and negotiation skills.
• Strong leadership skills.

Desirable

• Strong preference for experience within an audit regulator, oversight body, or similar supervisory environment.
• Proficient in Arabic or other language(s) and understanding of the Arabic culture.
• A strong understanding of the UAE corporate tax regime and experience in auditing tax.
• Understanding of the impact of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and automation tools, on audit quality, audit methodologies and regulatory supervision is desirable.

The RA is responsible for the registration, incorporation, and licensing of legal entities in ADGM and supports all government-related services. Providing a range of activities to facilitate market entry and growth and the emergence of a vibrant and sustainable business community, the RA guides and supports companies through the application and set-up processes for ADGM-registered entities.