Job Title: System of Quality Management (SoQM) Design Senior Manager
Locations: Any KPMG UK office (Hybrid working)
Capability: Audit
Service Line: Audit Central
Contract Type: Permanent
Summary of the role:
These are really exciting times for KPMG Audit and the wider firm. This is a new role to work within the newly established SoQM Centre of Excellence during a period of significant change for the SoQM.
Over the past 12 months, the management of the design of SoQM controls and their documentation has been transitioning from the SoQM Technical Team to the 1st Line. The processes for the design and documentation of new controls and amendments to the design and documentation of existing controls have since been formalised.
QC1000 is a new quality control standard from the PCAOB which has to be implemented by 15 December 2025. While the assessment of the incremental requirements of QC1000 and the differences from ISQM1 are being led globally, further detailed assessment of the differences and implementation of additional changes will be required at the UK level and are not only likely to result in the implementation of new or amended controls, but also in system and/or operational changes.
Feedback from our regulator, the FRC, and requirements of QC1000 have prompted the firm to consider the acceptable timeframe for the remediation of SoQM Findings and Deficiencies, and what processes and support is in place to ensure Process and Control Owners meet those expectations.
A dedicated team of SoQM Design Managers will therefore be created within the SoQM CoE. This group will be led by the SoQM Project Lead and work very closely with the SoQM Director (Projects) and SoQM Business Leads to support Process and Control Owners in the design and implementation of new SoQM controls, remediation of ineffective controls and maintenance of control documentation.
What will you get from the role?
1. Diverse and challenging work - the role involves tackling complex quality issues, including assessing and mitigating risks, which keeps the work challenging and intellectually stimulating.
2. Collaboration - you will have organisational exposure to senior management and subject matter experts primarily across Audit and KBS. The successful candidate will need to collaborate effectively with other members of the SoQM CoE and stakeholders across the 1st and 2nd line to achieve the common goal of implementing and operating an effective SoQM.
3. Driving innovation - you will have the opportunity to work with Process and Control Owners to design innovative solutions to remediating quality issues and/or implementing new controls. You will also support the SoQM Director – Projects and have exposure to transformation programmes from other areas of the business in assessing and managing the impacts of Firmwide transformation projects on the SoQM.
4. Public trust and accountability - you will play a crucial role in ensuring that the firm meets the highest standards of quality, ethics, and compliance, directly impacting the firm's reputation and the trust of audited entities and clients.
Description of the role:
We are looking for a highly motivated, proactive, and diligent individual to join the newly established SoQM Centre of Excellence and lead the Design Manager Team, reporting to the SoQM Project Manager and working closely with the SoQM Director – Projects, DCD Process Manager and SoQM Technical Director. In this role, the successful candidate will be expected to undertake the following responsibilities:
Lead the Design Manager Team
1. The Team Lead will have performance management responsibilities for all members of the Design Manager Team, being made up of both permanent team members and those on secondment from the Audit Practice.
2. This will involve regular performance evaluations, onboarding new team members, and performing training needs assessments.
3. The Team Lead will work closely with the SoQM Project Manager, DCD Process Manager and SoQM Director – Projects, to ensure the appropriate level of resource is in place within the team and workload is distributed according to capacity, skills and experience within the team.
4. The Team Lead will have overall responsibility for the quality of output of the SoQM Design Manager Team and will therefore need to establish procedures to ensure consultations with the SoQM Technical Team are being made appropriately and to review the quality of work being performed by team members.
Along with the rest of the Design Manager Team, the successful candidate’s day-to-day responsibilities will include:
Maintenance of control documentation
1. Technical review and approval of all updates to detailed control descriptions (DCDs) processed by Control Owners and/or their teams. Using an understanding of the Firm’s SoQM methodology, KPMG Global’s control design framework and professional judgement, review and assess the appropriateness of the changes processed including challenging whether the control is adequately designed to address the underlying process risk points in clearly articulated control steps that are sufficiently evidenced. Submit for SoQM Technical Team review where necessary and work with control owners to resolve any review comments raised.
2. Review and sign off on the appropriateness of the design of all SoQM controls on an annual basis on the KQCE file, supporting the annual evaluation performed by the CAP team. In consultation with SoQM Technical Team, communicate design findings to Process and Control Owners, working with them to rectify issues identified on a timely basis.
3. Work with Process Owners to review and update process maps and narratives on a regular (annual) basis, ensuring documentation is accurately maintained and key control assessments are performed. Consider changes to underlying business processes and potential impact on the design of the SoQM, feeding back to members of the SoQM CoE to determine next steps.
Design and implementation of new controls
1. Support control owner and process owner in the design of new SoQM controls to be reviewed by the SoQM Technical Team, ensuring identified risks are being addressed, control steps are clear and capable of being operationalised and the control is implemented on a timely basis.
2. Where delays are identified in the implementation of controls, support Process and/or Control Owners in determining where interim mitigations are necessary, and what steps would be appropriate.
Remediation of ineffective controls and SoQM Deficiencies
1. Attend CAP close meetings to understand facts and circumstances which led to findings being identified and evaluated as deficiencies. Support control and process owners during evaluation process, ensuring all mitigations are adequately explained and evidenced where possible.
2. Work with Finding Owners to perform robust root cause assessment and design appropriate action plan capable of remediating the findings on a timely basis. Where long term actions plans are considered best course of action, ensure interim mitigations are considered and evidenced.
3. Support process and control owners in providing regular updates to TCWG (process owners, component owners, UK MC, Audit Exec – SOQM Working Group) and CAP on the progress on remediation.
4. Work closely with the SoQM Business Lead to ensure all actions are being delivered in line with agreed target dates and KIM system is being maintained.
Transformation programmes
1. Members of the SoQM Design Manager group will, as necessary, support the SoQM Director – Projects on understanding and managing the impacts of Firmwide transformation projects on the SoQM. For example, the implementation of QC1000 will result in the redesign of existing controls, design of new controls and changes to our documentation retention requirements and SoQM Governance Structure.
The Person:
Experience
• External or internal audit or compliance background, including experience of designing, documenting and testing non-financial controls is essential.
Knowledge
• Expertise in quality management systems, including their implementation and continuous monitoring would be advantageous.
• Understanding of ethical standards in the firm, including independence requirements and how to manage potential conflicts of interest.
• Awareness of the current and emerging regulatory landscape affecting the professional services industry, including national and international regulations – or willingness to learn about these.
Skills
1. Knowing when to consult - Across all activities, the SoQM Design Senior Manager will work very closely with the SoQM Technical Team to ensure changes to controls continue to meet the requirements of the Global SoQM Methodology and ISQM1/QC1000 standards. Knowing when to consult with this group will be key.
2. Risk management - proficiency in identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks related to audit quality and regulatory compliance.
3. Stakeholder management - comfortable liaising with stakeholders across KPMG at varying levels of seniority, acknowledging varying levels of understanding and experience of control design and/or quality management systems.
4. Negotiation skills - strong negotiation skills to manage expectations and resolve conflicts.
5. Attention to detail – strong track record of commitment to quality. DCD reviews require individuals to pay close attention to detail.
6. Critical thinking - strong analytical skills to assess SoQM processes and identify areas for improvement.
7. Problem-solving – experience in solving complex problems, acknowledging sometimes conflicting priorities from different stakeholder groups. An ability to take a pragmatic and balanced approach, consulting where required, to put forward solutions capable of addressing identified risks whilst being capable of being operationalised by the business.
8. Team player - track record of being able to flex to accommodate changes in priorities and focus throughout the year.
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