50 Performance Review Phrases for Audit Managers

This page collects 50 performance review phrases written for the day-to-day realities of an Audit Manager role, covering self assessments, peer feedback, and manager reviews. Swap in your own engagements, clients, and team details where a placeholder appears, and adjust the tone to fit your firm's evaluation style.

Self assessment phrases - achievements

I managed [engagement] from planning through completion, keeping the team on schedule despite a demanding timeline.
I reviewed testing for [audit area] and caught issues before they reached the partner's review.
I identified a control weakness in [client's process] that reshaped our audit approach for that area.
I mentored [senior or associate] through their first complex testing area, helping them build the judgment to handle it independently.
I managed the client relationship on [engagement], keeping them informed and responsive throughout fieldwork.
I resolved a disagreement with the client about a finding, reaching a conclusion that held up under further scrutiny.
I balanced workload across the team during busy season so no one associate was overwhelmed.
I stayed current on changes to [auditing standard or regulation] and made sure the team applied them correctly.
I caught a scoping issue early in [engagement] that would have caused rework later in fieldwork.
I presented audit findings to client leadership in a way that led to a clear plan for remediation.

Self assessment phrases - growth and development

I want to get better at delegating review work instead of taking on too much of it myself.
I'm working on giving associates feedback that helps them grow, not just corrections on the workpaper in front of them.
I sometimes hold onto a complex client relationship longer than necessary instead of transitioning it to a senior on the team.
I'd like to build stronger skills in [industry or audit area] so I can manage more specialised engagements.
I want to get more comfortable pushing back on unrealistic client deadlines instead of absorbing the pressure onto the team.
I'm learning to balance workload across the team more evenly during busy season.
I could do more to check in with associates about their workload before it becomes a problem.
I want to improve how I communicate difficult findings to clients who are resistant to hearing them.
I'm working on documenting my review comments more clearly so the team understands the reasoning, not just the correction.
I'd like to spend more time on engagement planning instead of only reacting to issues as they come up in fieldwork.

Peer review phrases

They're one of the people I go to for advice on a tricky audit finding.
They review workpapers thoroughly, and I usually learn something from their feedback.
They're realistic with clients about what's achievable given the fieldwork timeline.
They flagged a control weakness on [engagement] that the rest of us hadn't considered.
They're generous with their time when mentoring associates through complex testing.
They handle client pushback calmly and reach conclusions that hold up under scrutiny.
They keep their team's workload balanced, even during busy season.
They're honest about the risk of an area instead of underplaying it to move the engagement along.
They've become someone the team relies on for [industry or audit area].
They manage client relationships well, even when delivering difficult findings.

Manager review phrases - strengths

They consistently deliver well-reviewed engagements within fieldwork deadlines.
They have a good instinct for identifying control weaknesses that matter to the client's business.
They communicate clearly with clients, which builds trust even during difficult conversations.
They've taken ownership of [engagement type or industry] and their team's output has improved as a result.
They mentor associates effectively, helping them build technical judgment.
They manage their team's workload well, even during the busiest parts of the year.
They're dependable under tight deadlines and rarely need reminders about milestones.
They've grown noticeably in their ability to manage complex client relationships over the past review period.
They bring a level head to disagreements over audit findings.
They've become a go-to resource for the firm on [industry or audit area].

Manager review phrases - areas to develop

I'd like to see them delegate more review work instead of taking on too much of it themselves.
They sometimes hold onto a client relationship longer than necessary, and could transition it to a senior sooner.
I'd encourage them to push back more firmly on unrealistic client deadlines rather than absorbing the pressure onto the team.
Their feedback to associates would benefit from more explanation of the reasoning, not just the correction.
I'd like to see them balance their team's workload more evenly during busy season.
They could be more proactive about flagging engagement scoping issues before fieldwork begins.
I'd like them to build more confidence delivering difficult findings to resistant clients.
Their technical judgment is strong, and I'd like to see them build a stronger sense of when to delegate versus handle something themselves.
I'd encourage them to take more ownership of [specific engagement type or process] rather than waiting for direction.
They tend to review everything to the same depth, and could scale their review effort to the risk of the area.

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