Rory
MacAllister

Who I help

Owner managed businesses. Public sector. Not for profit organisations. Large Corporates.

How I help

Audit & Assurance Services. Statutory Accounts Preparation.

Sectors/ support

Manufacturing. Industrial. Construction & Property. Public Sector. Not for Profit.

“If we’re not sharing a laugh, we are not working hard enough.”

Rory MacAllister is an Audit Assistant Manager based in our Belfast office. His role involves delivering a high-quality Audit and Assurance services to a variety of clients including owner managed businesses, public sector organisations, large corporates and not for profit organisations. This includes planning and executing audit engagements, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, coordinating with clients and the wider team to ensure successful delivery.

Rory is also on hand to help develop audit strategies, identify risks and provide recommendations to improve internal controls and operational efficiency for his clients.

A foundation of trust, transparency and effective communication

“An ideal relationship with a client for me, is built upon mutual trust, transparency and effective communication. Without trust, transparency and effective communication we can’t deliver a high-quality service. Being transparent with clients means that we all know the outlined deadlines, we all know what’s expected of us and we can work to deliver that to the best of our ability. How do we create that transparency in relationships? By establishing effective communication from the outset- enabling clients to get to know the people that are delivering their audit and in turn allowing us to get to know the client, what they hope to achieve, what their goals are.

I go into every engagement with the knowledge that a client might ask for progress updates, or to address some concerns or answer questions they might have. That’s why I place such an importance of having effective communication, so clients know that we’re there to support them where they need it. I want to ensure that when the audit process is finished, we’ve added value for our clients. Our goal is not simply to report on their financial year but to offer them valuable insights and recommendations to improve the client’s business going forward. I support a diverse range of clients across the UK and island of Ireland which helps me to provide my clients with industry-specific knowledge that I’ve gathered that can help them in the long run.”

Using knowledge to help clients

“For me, the most satisfying aspect of working with clients is establishing a strong and positive relationship. This allows us to have effective collaboration and also leads to a higher quality engagement. I love being able to add value for our clients through not only the audit delivery but also through helping them to address challenges and find solutions to the more complex issues that they’re facing. Knowing that my knowledge and advice could contribute to the success and growth of their businesses is so satisfying to me.”

Learning from colleagues

“Working in a firm like AAB means that you’re working alongside colleagues that provide you with opportunities for learning and professional growth through the sharing of knowledge and experiences. It’s not all about work though, I believe it’s important to have fun as well and place a real importance on sharing a laugh with my colleagues as well. Afterall, if we’re not sharing a laugh, we are not working hard enough.”

Striking an important balance

“I believe the balance between the virtual and ‘hands-on’ routes to working with clients depends on the nature of the engagement and the preferences of the client. In today’s digital age, virtual communication tools have become increasingly prevalent and can offer convenience and efficiency in client interactions. Technology has revolutionised the audit process and continues to do so. As a result of this, I feel that this also comes with challenges as it is becoming ever more important to stay up to date with the latest changes in technology in order to optimise the audit process.

However, I feel there are instances where a ‘hands-on’ approach is essential for building trust and understanding complex issues. In-person meetings and client visits can provide valuable insights, strengthen relationships, and enhance the overall audit experience. It is important to strike a balance between virtual and hands on routes when working with clients to deliver a comprehensive and positive client experience.”

Overcoming challenges in audit

“The greatest challenge in audit often revolves around staying abreast of evolving regulations and standards so we can ensure a high-quality audit in a dynamic business environment. I respond to this by staying updated on the ever-evolving changes in audit standards and regulations and ensuring that I am able to be versatile in responding to unexpected challenges or changes in audit scope, timeline, or client requirements.”