PwC Middle East -
Company: PwC Middle East –
WebSite: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Job Description:**Job Title: Senior Associate – Assurance (External Audit)**
**Line of Service:** Assurance
**Industry/Sector:** Not Applicable
**Specialism:** Assurance Management
**PwC Global Overview:**
PwC is a leading global professional services network comprised of offices in 152 countries and employing approximately 328,000 professionals. We deliver quality assurance, tax, and advisory services, assisting organizations and individuals in creating value.
**PwC Middle East Overview:**
With a presence in the Middle East for 40 years, PwC employs around 7,000 professionals across 12 countries: Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Oman, the Palestinian territories, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Our regional team offers tailored solutions and international experience to assist clients in navigating the challenges and opportunities of conducting business within the Middle East market and beyond.
**Line of Service Overview:**
The Middle East Assurance practice encompasses over 2,300 professionals located in 12 countries and forms part of PwC’s global network. PwC Middle East’s Assurance practice provides clients with quality audits and other risk services that create confidence and impact in the region and across society by combining human expertise with technology.
**Responsibilities:**
As an External Audit Senior Associate, you will contribute to delivering exceptional service to our clients. Reporting to Managers and above, you will work collaboratively within a team to assist clients in building trust, resolving complex challenges, and proactively managing multiple engagements. Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
* Analyzing client financial statements and ensuring adherence to financial regulations.
* Examining financial and accounting records, documentation, and tangible assets (e.g., inventory, plant, and equipment).
* Conducting inquiries, both formal and informal, with personnel at client organizations.
* Evaluating the effectiveness of client internal controls and processes.
* Building trust and credibility with clients by understanding their expectations and providing high-quality services.
* Taking ownership of researching and understanding key facts relating to the client’s industry before the engagement begins.
* Communicating proactively with Managers and/or Partners regarding engagement progress, risks, issues, and budget variances.
* Assuming responsibility for completing external audit files.
* Analyzing engagement economics and explaining budget variances.
* Reviewing the work of Associate-level staff, providing on-the-job training, coaching, and constructive feedback.
* Ensuring compliance with risk, quality, and independence protocols.
* Collaborating effectively with diverse teams throughout the audit process, from planning to completion, and closely monitoring progress to meet timelines and internal key performance indicators (KPIs).
* Participating in digital initiatives and upskilling activities aligned with team business needs.
* Performing other procedures as necessary to support the issuance of assurance deliverables.
**Qualifications:**
Candidates should possess the following qualifications and attributes:
* A Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
* Completion or active pursuit of a professional qualification (e.g., ACCA, CA, ACA, CPA).
* Progressive experience as a Senior Associate in external audit within a Big 4 professional services firm.
* Experience auditing diverse industries.
* Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills to thrive in a team environment.
* Bilingual proficiency in Arabic and English (oral and written) is preferred.
* Business development and client relationship-building skills.
* A proactive and collaborative approach to teamwork.
* Strong project management skills.
* Familiarity with audit technologies and data analytics tools is a plus.
* A commitment to diversity and inclusion.
* Thorough technical skills and experience in applicable accounting, reporting, and auditing standards.
* Experience in designing engagement procedures based on risk and materiality.
* Previous experience coaching and leading engagement teams.
* Strong technical knowledge and the ability to research issues, present alternatives, and formulate conclusions for clients and Managers.
**Skills for Success:**
All PwC professionals are expected to demonstrate skills and behaviors aligned with the firm’s business strategy, known as “The PwC Professional”. This framework outlines the capabilities necessary for our people to flourish, learn, and develop as leaders at every level, supporting their career progression and enabling them to meet the evolving needs of clients, colleagues, and communities in the global marketplace.
**Why Join PwC:**
PwC is committed to leading with empathy and prioritizing its people. Guided by our value of care, we seek opportunities to support our employees, clients, and one another. A career with PwC offers a range of financial and non-financial rewards and benefits designed to foster your growth, including:
* A competitive compensation plan recognizing success and value.
* An inclusive and diverse culture where individuals are valued for their strengths and empowered to excel.
* A flexible work environment promoting work-life balance.
* Resources to support employee mental health and well-being.
* Extensive opportunities for continuous learning and digital upskilling.
* A collaborative atmosphere fostering innovation, relationship development, and mutual growth.
* Competitive Schooling allowance and insurance packages (As per PwC policy).
**Education:**
* **Degrees/Field of Study Required:** Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
* **Degrees/Field of Study preferred:** As above.
**Certifications:**
Completion or active pursuit of a professional qualification (e.g., ACCA, CA, ACA, CPA).
**Skills:**
Accepting Feedback, Accounting and Financial Reporting Standards, Accounting Policies, Active Listening, Analytical Thinking, Auditing, Auditing Methodologies, Client Management, Communication, Compliance Auditing, Complying With Regulations, Creativity, Data Analysis and Interpretation, Data Ingestion, Data Modeling, Data Quality, Data Security, Data Transformation, Data Visualization, Embracing Change, Emotional Regulation, Empathy, External Audit
**Languages:** Desired languages not specified
**Travel Requirements:** Not Specified
**Visa Sponsorship:** Yes
**Government Clearance:** Yes
Skills: