Dominic
Smith

WHO I HELP

SMEs. Large companies. Industrial & manufacturing.

HOW I HELP

Audit & Assurance.

“DELIVERING ASSURANCE WITH CLARITY, EFFICIENCY & CARE.”

Dominic Smith is an Audit assistant manager who leads audits from start to finish, acting as the main point of contact for clients while audit fieldwork is ongoing. He plans and contributes to client meetings, whether at the planning stage, where he catches up on how the company is doing, or at completion, where he presents the findings of the audit. He also leads audit teams, including junior team members, helping them complete audits in a timely fashion while supporting their development through training and feedback.

He works mainly with SMEs across a range of sectors, including manufacturing, retail and solicitors, as well as pension schemes. He is also part of AAB’s pensions and Tech Sector teams.

BUILDING TRUST

“For me, face-to-face contact is essential when building a strong client relationship. Ideally, that means meeting in person, as it breaks down some communication barriers that can exist over email or even video calls. I want clients to feel that their audit is under control, so they can focus as much as possible on running their own business.

I have worked with some clients since I first started in audit over five years ago. That familiarity means I know the individuals I interact with and can adapt to how they like to work, which helps me provide a better service.”

MAKING COMPLEX AUDITS EASIER

“Having spent many years in Audit, I have developed strong technical knowledge across a range of areas. I particularly enjoy being able to support clients with questions around more niche areas, such as pension scheme accounting and work in progress in solicitors’ accounts.

Ever-changing regulation is one of the biggest challenges for both our clients and the audit work we need to perform. The way we work through these changes is by communicating well and in a timely fashion, making sure everyone is on the same page and understands their role in dealing with issues that may be new to everyone.”

SUPPORTING THE TEAM & CLIENT

“I think it is important to bring positivity to the role. I am a hard worker and value taking responsibility. If something needs to be done, I will get it done.

One of the biggest challenges I have overcome was starting work while pandemic restrictions were still in place. I had to adapt to the world of work, build relationships with new colleagues and clients, and learn how to communicate effectively without always being able to visit clients on-site or see colleagues consistently in the office. I overcame this by taking advantage of the opportunities I did have for face-to-face contact, and that is something I continue to apply to the way I communicate today.”

CREATING VALUE BEYOND NUMBERS

“One of the most satisfying parts of working with clients is seeing our suggested improvements to systems and controls being implemented and resulting in time savings. A recent example is helping clients prepare for the FRS 102 changes by providing technical explanations where required and making sure they understand their responsibilities.

I have also worked with a client since I started as an assistant, visiting them on-site every year and speaking to the same individual each time. We have built an excellent personal relationship, which has been particularly valuable because the audit itself is quite complex. We often need to amend our testing methodology or convince the client that certain assumptions or systems need to change. Having a trusting relationship on an individual level makes those conversations much easier.”

LOOKING BEYOND THE FIGURES

“A common misconception is that audit is simply about checking numbers. In reality, it is about understanding how a business operates, evaluating risks and providing independent assurance that stakeholders can rely on. Strong communication and problem-solving skills are just as important as technical knowledge.

That is also why I enjoy being part of AAB. The range of services means that if a client has a niche problem outside audit, we can often refer them to another service line that can help. It is satisfying to know that we can support clients beyond the immediate audit requirement.”

BEING PART OF AAB

“At AAB, I value the culture of both the wider organisation and the audit team in Leeds. We work together very well, everyone has an interest in each other’s development and progression, and at times of stress there is always a feeling of support.

One of the nicest compliments I have heard came from a client who described the audit team I worked on as the ‘nicest’ auditors they had ever worked with. Hopefully our technical knowledge goes without saying, but that comment meant a lot to me. For me, delivering a good audit is about combining technical knowledge with positivity, clear communication and strong relationships – giving clients confidence while making the process as straightforward as possible.”

LOOKING AHEAD

“I am interested to see how AI tools can create efficiencies on audits while also helping with team member development. Given the personal skills required in this role, I believe the team will remain central to audits, but I am interested to see how AI changes the nature of the role if it allows us to focus more on the complex and interesting areas where we can help clients.”