Director of Standards & Assurance

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 escalate 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.