Ishan Gandhi

Core Audit Leadership

I lead and deliver complex group audits for large multinational organisations, including high-profile US-listed and FTSE 100 entities. I operate in senior leadership roles as both Group Audit lead and Component Auditor, taking ownership of audit strategy, planning, execution, and delivery of audit opinions, while coordinating effectively across global engagement teams operating within tight reporting deadlines and complex governance environments.

I have extensive experience working with dual-listed entities, including responsibility for financial statement audits and reporting on internal controls under SOx requirements. I have also led audits of large privately owned organisations alongside statutory audits of listed entities, developing a strong ability to adapt audit approach across both regulated and non-regulated environments.

I bring deep technical expertise across IFRS and UK GAAP, and have audited financial statements under both ISA and PCAOB frameworks. My experience spans complex accounting areas including impairments, valuations, restructuring and closure provisions, business combinations and deal accounting, litigation provisions, consolidation complexities, revenue recognition, and other areas involving significant judgement. I take ownership of end-to-end audit delivery, including planning, interim and year-end execution, reporting, and articulation of key audit matters, with regular engagement with senior management and audit committees to drive clear communication and resolution of complex issues.

I lead the adoption of audit technology and data-driven methodologies as a core part of audit delivery, embedding them directly into planning, execution, and completion phases to enhance audit quality, consistency, and efficiency. This includes using data analytics to drive full-population testing and targeted risk coverage across key cycles such as revenue, procurement, payroll, and general ledger activity. I ensure teams apply technology-enabled testing to strengthen audit evidence, improve exception identification, and reduce reliance on traditional sampling approaches.

I actively promote the use of automated and analytics-led procedures within core audit cycles, including purchase-to-pay and order-to-cash, enabling more robust testing of three-way matching, completeness of revenue recognition processes, and accuracy of recorded expenses. I also use journal entry analytics to strengthen assessment of manual postings, unusual adjustments, and potential management override risks, improving fraud risk responsiveness and audit challenge.

In addition, I apply technology-enabled approaches to complex estimates and valuations, using scenario analysis and sensitivity-focused testing to enhance challenge over assumptions, discount rates, and forward-looking inputs. I ensure these approaches are consistently embedded across cross-border teams, driving standardisation and improving audit quality at scale. I also support the use of emerging AI-enabled tools and automated testing routines to enhance coverage of high-volume areas such as operating expenses, PPE additions, and depreciation testing, enabling teams to focus more time on judgemental and higher-risk audit areas.

My sector experience spans industrial metals and mining, pharmaceuticals and life sciences, consumer markets, retail and supply chain, technology, automotive, and manufacturing. This breadth enables me to quickly identify sector-specific risks and lead tailored, risk-based audit strategies. I also lead large cross-border teams, coordinating component auditors and shared service centres, managing engagement economics, overseeing delivery risk, and ensuring consistent focus on audit quality, commercial outcomes, and long-term client relationships.

Quality & Leadership (KPMG Leadership Experience Accelerated Programme)

As part of KPMG’s Leadership Experience Accelerated Programme, I have gained cross-functional leadership experience across Accounting & Reporting, US Audit & Reporting, and Audit Risk Management, contributing to firm-wide quality, risk, and regulatory initiatives.

I have led and supported responses to regulatory inspections, including AQR and PCAOB reviews, consistently achieving strong outcomes and reinforcing the use of data-driven audit approaches to improve audit quality and inspection readiness. I also perform internal quality reviews (QPRs), identifying improvement themes and promoting consistent adoption of enhanced audit methodologies across engagements.

In addition, I contribute to wider people and practice development initiatives, including delivery of technical training, support for recruitment and onboarding, and leadership of initiatives focused on quality, wellbeing, and performance improvement. I actively support the development of junior and mid-level team members, embedding a culture where technology-enabled audit approaches are standard practice across engagement teams.

Transaction, Specialised Assurance & Accounting Advisory

I lead and support a range of transaction-related and non-routine assurance engagements, including audits of carve-out financial statements for large-scale group restructurings, demergers, acquisitions, and disposals. I work closely with senior stakeholders to advise on financial reporting implications of significant structural and strategic change, often in fast-paced and high-pressure environments.

I also have extensive experience in the preparation and audit of consolidated financial statements for multinational groups undergoing multiple in-year transactions, impairments, and restatements. I use data-driven approaches where appropriate to enhance consolidation integrity, improve analytical review procedures, and strengthen consistency across complex group reporting environments.

In addition, I provide accounting advisory support focused on strengthening financial reporting infrastructure, governance, and control environments. This includes supporting the implementation of consolidation systems for multinational groups and improving group reporting processes across complex organisations. I have also led the design and embedding of monthly reporting frameworks, including standardised reporting packs, timetables, and governance structures, improving the quality, timeliness, and consistency of financial information and embedding more structured, data-enabled reporting processes across finance functions.

Business Development & Commercial Leadership

I actively contribute to business development and growth initiatives across the department, supporting fee development strategy and strengthening market positioning. I play a key role in audit tenders across pharmaceuticals and life sciences, as well as software and technology, contributing to client propositions, technical responses, and value-led solution design.

I take an active role in building and maintaining senior client relationships, supporting engagement expansion and long-term account development. I bring a strong commercial mindset to audit delivery, ensuring that audit quality, efficiency, and profitability are consistently balanced, and that engagements are delivered in a way that supports sustainable client relationships and firm growth. I also leverage insights from data-led audit approaches to enhance discussions with clients around process improvement, control enhancement, and efficiency opportunities.

Other Contributions

I contribute to broader people, talent, and operational priorities across the department. This includes active participation in the hiring and interview process, supporting the identification and selection of high-quality candidates to strengthen engagement teams and the wider practice.

I lead the department’s Quality Improvement Network, driving continuous improvement initiatives and promoting the consistent adoption of enhanced audit methodologies, including data-driven and technology-enabled audit approaches across engagements. I also participate in pricing panels for key existing engagements, supporting commercial decision-making, fee strategy, and sustainable engagement profitability through a clearer understanding of delivery efficiency and risk.