Ethics & Independence Manager (Personal Independence)

Grant Thornton UK LLP

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

Grant Thornton UK is seeking an Ethics & Independence Manager for its Personal Independence team. This role is part of the firm's Quality and Risk function and is crucial for maintaining compliance with independence requirements, supporting client-facing teams, and ensuring individuals comply with their personal independence obligations. The team, comprising around 100 people across the UK, Trinidad, and India, works to uphold regulatory standards, conduct relationship checks, review ethics breaches, and implement digital solutions for Ethics and Independence processes. The position offers a varied role with opportunities for specialization and professional development, with a strong emphasis on flexible working and work-life balance.

Requirements

Proven experience within Ethics and Independence in a professional services firm – this can include roles held within an independence or conflict management function or through an audit quality, professional and technical standards or similar regulatory role.
Knowledge and experience of the application of the UK Ethics and Independence requirements (FRC Ethical Standard, ICAEW Code of Ethics, IESBA Code of Ethics).
Strong judgement and the ability to interpret policies, procedures or regulatory requirements and apply them practically to real-life scenarios.
Strong analytical skills and a genuine eye for detail.
The ability to support and review the work of others, giving constructive feedback formally or informally.
Experience managing a varied workload, prioritising effectively and communicating confidently with senior stakeholders in a fast-paced work environment.
Proficient in MS Office 365 applications e.g. Excel, Word, etc.

Nice To Haves

Experience of independence systems used to record financial interests such as GIS.
Awareness of fit and proper considerations and how they apply to individuals in an accountancy firm.
An understanding of the different services offered by firms like Grant Thornton plus an awareness of the role of other risk functions and specialist teams.
Awareness of risk management systems and control environments.

Responsibilities

Responding to formal Ethics and Independence consultations raised by individuals covering a broad range of personal independence matters and conflicts, including outside appointments, fit and proper exceptions, and other situations where Ethics review or approval is required.
Supporting the onboarding and ongoing maintenance processes in relation to the recording of individuals’ financial interests on the firm’s financial interest recording system.
Supporting on internal monitoring exercises, including periodic monitoring of financial interest records for individuals.
Leading on wider independence activities and ad-hoc projects.
Consistently executing work on time at the volume and quality levels expected, in line with the relevant policies and procedures.
Using judgement to analyse independence matters, identify relevant risks and apply appropriate safeguards or escalation routes.
Supporting the development of more junior team members by sharing knowledge, providing day-to-day guidance and helping to build capability.
Communicating clearly and professionally to explain issues to others.
Actively listening, being receptive to others' viewpoints and reflecting these into the work delivered.
Collaborating confidently to build relationships with others within the GT practice, in the Ethics & Independence team and in the firm's wider Quality & Risk function.
Managing time and priorities efficiently through diary management and use of project management tools, juggling multiple priorities and flexing workload when re-prioritisation is needed.
Identifying opportunities for efficiency and/or innovation.