Director – Statutory Audit Industry: Professional Services / Assurance Organization: Leading Big Four Accounting Firm Function: Audit & Assurance Location: India Reporting To: Partner / Managing Partner – Audit Position Level: Director 1. Role Overview We are seeking an accomplished and dynamic Director – Statutory Audit to lead complex statutory audit engagements, drive assurance quality, strengthen client relationships, and contribute to the strategic growth of the Audit & Assurance practice. The role requires extensive experience in statutory audits of large corporates, listed entities, multinational companies, and complex business groups. The incumbent will provide strategic oversight of audit portfolios, lead senior engagement teams, ensure compliance with applicable auditing and financial reporting standards, and support business development initiatives. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong technical expertise, commercial acumen, exceptional stakeholder management capabilities, and the ability to build high-performing teams while upholding the firm's independence, ethics, and quality standards. 2. Key Responsibilities A. Statutory Audit Leadership & Delivery Provide strategic leadership and oversight for a portfolio of statutory audit engagements across diverse industries. Lead audits of listed companies, large Indian corporates, multinational subsidiaries, and complex group entities. Oversee audit planning, risk assessment, materiality determination, audit execution, completion, and reporting. Ensure compliance with applicable Standards on Auditing (SAs), Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS), Companies Act, 2013, and other relevant regulatory requirements. Review complex accounting matters, significant audit judgments, estimates, provisions, impairment assessments, and revenue recognition issues. Oversee group audits, component auditor coordination, consolidation processes, and cross-border audit requirements. Ensure timely completion of engagements while maintaining the highest standards of audit quality and professional skepticism. B. Audit Quality, Risk Management & Compliance Drive adherence to the firm's audit methodology, quality management policies, professional standards, and regulatory requirements. Oversee engagement quality processes, documentation standards, consultation requirements, and resolution of significant audit matters. Identify and mitigate engagement risks, including fraud risks, internal control deficiencies, and potential financial reporting misstatements. Address findings arising from internal quality reviews, external inspections, and regulatory reviews. Maintain compliance with independence, conflict-of-interest, confidentiality, and ethical requirements. Provide technical guidance on complex or judgmental accounting and auditing matters. C. Client Relationship & Stakeholder Management Build and maintain trusted relationships with CFOs, finance heads, audit committees, boards, and other senior client stakeholders. Lead discussions on significant audit findings, internal control weaknesses, accounting judgments, and financial reporting risks. Present audit observations, management letter points, and key matters to those charged with governance. Manage sensitive client situations, resolve escalations, and ensure effective communication throughout the audit lifecycle. Position the firm as a trusted advisor on audit quality, financial reporting, governance, and emerging regulatory developments, while maintaining auditor independence. D. Business Development & Practice Growth Contribute to the growth of the statutory audit practice through client acquisition, account expansion, and strategic relationship development. Identify new business opportunities and support proposals, pitch presentations, tenders, and fee negotiations. Develop sector-focused audit solutions and strengthen the firm's market positioning. Support client acceptance and continuance assessments, engagement economics, and portfolio profitability. Collaborate with other service lines, subject to applicable independence and conflict requirements, to identify appropriate client solutions. Contribute to the firm's annual business planning, revenue targets, and strategic growth initiatives. E. People Leadership & Talent Development Lead, mentor, and develop Partners-in-training, Senior Managers, Managers, and broader engagement teams. Build a strong leadership pipeline through coaching, performance management, succession planning, and structured development. Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, professional skepticism, inclusion, and continuous learning. Optimize resource deployment, team utilization, engagement productivity, and delivery timelines. Drive the adoption of audit technology, data analytics, automation, and digital audit tools. Promote employee engagement, retention, and the development of technical and leadership capabilities. F. Financial & Operational Management Oversee audit portfolio revenue, engagement budgets, realization, billing, collections, and profitability. Monitor engagement progress, resource requirements, financial performance, and delivery risks. Ensure effective project management and timely resolution of operational bottlenecks. Contribute to firm-wide initiatives relating to audit transformation, operational excellence, and service delivery. 3. Required Qualifications & Experience Chartered Accountant (CA) qualification from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) or an equivalent recognized professional qualification, as applicable. Typically 15–20+ years of relevant post-qualification experience in statutory audit and assurance, with substantial experience in a Big Four or another leading professional services firm. Significant experience leading complex statutory audits of large corporates, listed companies, multinational groups, and/or regulated entities. Demonstrated leadership experience at Senior Manager, Associate Director, or equivalent level, with readiness to operate at Director level. Strong knowledge of the Companies Act, 2013, Standards on Auditing, Ind AS, and applicable financial reporting and regulatory frameworks. Proven experience managing large audit portfolios, senior client relationships, engagement teams, and audit quality requirements. Demonstrated contribution to business development, client relationship expansion, and practice growth. 4. Technical & Functional Competencies Audit expertise: Statutory audits, group audits, consolidated financial statements, risk-based audit methodologies, and audit reporting. Financial reporting: Ind AS, IFRS, complex accounting judgments, financial statement disclosures, and consolidation matters. Regulatory knowledge: Companies Act, 2013, applicable ICAI requirements, and relevant sector-specific regulations. Audit quality: Risk assessment, fraud considerations, internal controls, audit documentation, and quality management. Commercial acumen: Engagement economics, fee negotiations, portfolio profitability, and business planning. Digital capabilities: Audit analytics, automation, technology-enabled audit procedures, and data-driven risk assessment. 5. Leadership & Behavioral Competencies Strategic thinking and sound business judgment. Strong executive presence and stakeholder influence. Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills. Ability to manage complex engagements and high-pressure situations. Strong ethical judgment, independence, and professional skepticism. People leadership, coaching, and succession development. Commercial orientation and a growth mindset. Change leadership and commitment to continuous improvement. 6. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Performance will be evaluated against a balanced set of quality, commercial, client, and people objectives, including: Audit quality and compliance with professional and regulatory standards. Timely delivery of audit engagements and reporting milestones. Revenue growth, portfolio profitability, realization, and collections. Client satisfaction and strength of senior stakeholder relationships. Business development contributions and successful client pursuits. Talent development, retention, engagement, and leadership pipeline. Effective adoption of technology and audit transformation initiatives. Successful closure of quality review findings and remediation actions. 7. Ideal Candidate Profile The ideal candidate is a seasoned audit professional with a strong reputation for technical excellence, integrity, and client leadership. They should be capable of balancing audit quality with commercial objectives, leading large and geographically distributed teams, managing complex stakeholder relationships, and contributing meaningfully to the firm's long-term growth strategy. The candidate should be comfortable operating in a highly regulated environment, navigating complex financial reporting issues, and representing the firm confidently before senior corporate leadership and governance bodies. 8. Equal Opportunity Statement The firm is committed to fostering an inclusive, diverse, and merit-based workplace. All qualified candidates will be considered in accordance with the firm's recruitment policies and applicable laws.