Audit Partner | Equity Potential | Private Equity-Backed Growth

Hawke SearchCanterburyreedpublished 10/09/2026
Must-have:SeniorLead

Kent | Senior Leadership | Build Something With Long-Term Value

For ambitious audit professionals, the right move isn't always towards a bigger firm. Sometimes, it's about joining a business at exactly the right point in its growth journey.

An established and highly regarded accountancy practice is entering an exciting new chapter following private equity investment, creating a platform for further growth, investment and expansion.

With a strong reputation, an established client base and ambitious plans for the future, the business offers an opportunity for an entrepreneurial Audit Partner to help shape its next phase of development — with the potential to share in the value created.

This is more than an opportunity to inherit a portfolio. It's a chance to help build a practice, develop a team, win new business and play a meaningful role in the growth of an ambitious professional services business.

The opportunity

As Audit Partner, you'll take a leading role in developing the audit practice, combining technical leadership with commercial drive and a clear focus on growth.

You'll have the opportunity to develop existing client relationships, bring new business into the firm, expand the team and help shape the strategy for the future. Working alongside the senior leadership team, you'll contribute to the wider development of the business as it looks to capitalise on its investment and growth ambitions.

The private equity backing brings an additional dimension to the opportunity: a business focused on building long-term value, investing in its future and exploring opportunities to grow its capabilities and market presence.

For the right individual, this could be an opportunity to help build something significantly bigger than the practice you join today.

Why this opportunity stands out

  • Private equity-backed ambition: Join an established business with investment behind its next phase of growth and a clear focus on building long-term value.
  • The opportunity to build: Develop the audit offering, grow your client portfolio and build a team around your vision.
  • Equity potential: Explore the possibility of sharing in the value created as the business grows.
  • A seat at the table: Work closely with the leadership team and have a meaningful influence on the firm's strategic direction.
  • Commercial freedom: Put your relationships, market knowledge and business development skills to work in an environment where growth is a priority.
  • An established platform: Build on an existing reputation and client base rather than starting from scratch.
  • A genuine career-defining move: Combine the credibility of an established practice with the energy and opportunity of a business entering its next stage of development.

Who we're looking for

You might be an established Audit Partner in a regional or independent practice, an Audit Director ready to make the move into partnership, or a senior professional in a larger firm looking for greater ownership and commercial influence.

You'll bring strong technical credentials, the confidence to lead client relationships and the commercial instinct to identify and convert opportunities. You'll also be motivated by building teams, developing a practice and contributing to the success of the wider business.

Most importantly, you'll be someone who sees the potential in joining a business at a pivotal point in its journey — and wants to help shape what comes next.

The opportunity in a nutshell

A respected accountancy practice. Private equity investment. Ambitious growth plans. And the opportunity for an entrepreneurial audit leader to help build the next chapter, with potential long-term equity participation.