Director of Standards & Assurance

Reporting to Chief Executive Officer, with independent technical oversight arrangements

The Opportunity Artificial intelligence is transforming how accounting firms operate, deliver services and meet their professional responsibilities.

As AI adoption increases, so does the need for credible governance frameworks, consistent assurance methodologies and clear standards of professional accountability.

AIGAS is working to address that need through an independent AI governance and assurance standard developed specifically for the accountancy profession.

Our ambition is to establish a trusted, proportionate and technically credible standard that supports responsible AI adoption across accounting firms of all sizes.

An essential part of that ambition is the development of robust standards governance and independent assurance arrangements.

To support the next stage of our development, we are planning the appointment of a Director of Standards & Assurance.

This is an opportunity for an experienced professional to help shape the technical foundations, governance arrangements and long-term credibility of an emerging standards organisation.

We are looking for someone with the expertise, integrity and professional independence to help establish a standards and assurance function capable of supporting meaningful industry confidence.

The Role The Director of Standards & Assurance will provide senior technical leadership over the development, interpretation, maintenance and assurance methodology of the AIGAS Standard.

The successful candidate will help establish the policies, processes and governance structures required to ensure that the Standard is consistently applied, appropriately controlled and protected from undue commercial influence.

This will include overseeing the technical framework for assessment, defining competence requirements, establishing quality controls and supporting independent assurance decision-making arrangements.

The role requires sound professional judgement and a willingness to challenge assumptions, including those of the organisation's leadership, where necessary to protect the integrity of the Standard.

We are not looking simply for someone to administer an existing framework.

We are seeking an individual capable of helping to build the technical and institutional foundations of AIGAS as it develops.

Key Responsibilities Development and Maintenance of the Standard

• Act as a senior technical custodian of the AIGAS Standard.
• Lead the ongoing review and development of its technical and governance requirements.
• Establish documented processes for standard revisions, consultations, approvals and publication.
• Ensure requirements remain relevant, clear, proportionate and technically defensible.
• Develop appropriate version control and change-management arrangements.
• Monitor developments in AI governance, professional accountancy requirements and related standards.
• Identify emerging risks and recommend appropriate changes.
• Ensure the Standard remains suitable for accounting firms of different sizes, structures and levels of technological maturity.
• Present proposed changes through the appropriate governance and approval process.

Assurance Methodology and Assessment Quality

• Develop and maintain the AIGAS assessment methodology.
• Define consistent requirements for evaluation, evidence collection and technical assessment.
• Establish assessment procedures, checklists, reporting templates and technical guidance.
• Develop appropriate processes for technical review, nonconformity management and corrective action.
• Monitor the consistency and quality of assessments.
• Establish mechanisms for resolving disputed or ambiguous assessment matters.
• Ensure assessment methodologies remain aligned with the approved Standard.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen assurance quality, reliability and transparency.

Independence and Certification Governance

• Help establish the governance arrangements required to protect the independence and impartiality of AIGAS assurance activities.
• Define appropriate separation between commercial implementation support, professional training, assessment and certification decisions.
• Develop conflict-of-interest policies and impartiality safeguards.
• Establish requirements for competent and independent certification decision-making
• Support the development of complaints, appeals, suspension and withdrawal processes.
• Ensure certification decisions are based on documented evidence and approved requirements.
• Establish appropriate technical escalation and independent review arrangements.
• Monitor potential threats to assurance integrity and recommend corrective measures.
• Support clear and responsible use of AIGAS certificates, marks and assurance claims.

The Director will be expected to exercise independent professional judgement and elevate concerns where commercial, operational or other interests could compromise assurance credibility.

Assessor Competence and Technical Oversight

• Define competence requirements for assessors, technical reviewers and certification decision-makers.
• Establish qualification and authorisation criteria for individuals undertaking assurance activities.
• Develop technical guidance and consistency reviews.
• Implement appropriate monitoring and quality review processes.
• Identify professional development requirements for assessment personnel.
• Review the quality and consistency of assessment outcomes.
• Recommend actions where competence, conduct or impartiality requirements are not met.

Certified Service Provider Governance

• Establish technical competence and eligibility requirements for Certified Service Providers.
• Define the professional criteria governing initial approval and continued CSP status.
• Support the development of appropriate recertification and ongoing competence requirements.
• Establish technical oversight arrangements for CSP activities.
• Develop processes for managing professional conduct concerns and compliance with CSP requirements.
• Ensure CSP approval is based on defined standards and competence criteria rather than commercial considerations.
• Work with Professional Services & Enablement to ensure training supports approved competence requirements.

Standards Governance and Independent Oversight

• Support the development of the AIGAS Standards & Assurance Committee and its operating arrangements.
• Contribute to terms of reference, committee procedures and delegated technical authorities.
• Prepare technical reports, recommendations and proposed revisions for independent review.
• Establish clear processes for recording formal decisions and technical interpretations.
• Support transparent and consistent governance of the Standard.
• Engage constructively with the AIGAS Advisory Board and relevant technical specialists.
• Help strengthen the organisation's long-term institutional credibility.

Professional and Industry Engagement

• Maintain awareness of developments in professional accountancy, AI governance, regulation and assurance.
• Build appropriate relationships with professional bodies, technical experts and standards stakeholders.
• Support engagement with organisations such as ICAEW, ACCA and other relevant professional institutions.
• Represent AIGAS in technical discussions and consultations where appropriate.
• Contribute to technical publications and position papers.
• Identify opportunities for external review, recognition and strengthened governance.
• Help ensure AIGAS's technical development remains informed by the evolving needs of the profession.

Leadership and Organisational Development

• Establish the operating structure, policies and procedures of the Standards & Assurance function.
• Develop an annual technical and assurance work programme.
• Identify future technical staffing, assessor and specialist resource requirements.
• Establish reporting arrangements, quality measures and risk monitoring processes.
• Work with the CEO and wider leadership team to support organisational development.
• Contribute to AIGAS's long-term strategic planning while maintaining appropriate technical independence.

Independence and Professional Judgement The credibility of an assurance standard depends on the quality of its governance and the independence of its assessment and decision-making processes.

AIGAS recognises the importance of establishing appropriate safeguards as the organisation develops.

The Director of Standards & Assurance will play a leading role in designing and strengthening those arrangements.

The role will report to the CEO for organisational and administrative matters, with defined technical oversight and escalation arrangements intended to protect professional independence.

Formal responsibilities and decision-making authorities will be established through documented governance policies and approved organisational structures.

We are looking for someone who is prepared to provide constructive challenge and exercise independent judgement, including where that may be commercially inconvenient.

The long-term integrity of the Standard must take precedence over short-term commercial considerations.
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