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Audit Principal

Recruiter
National Audit Office (NAO)
Location
London or Newcastle
Salary
£52,629 -£63,868 (London) / £42,660- £57,929 (Newcastle)
Closing date
7 May 2021

Job Details

We are the UK’s independent public spending watchdog. We support Parliament in holding government to account and we help improve public services through our high-quality audits. We carry out external audit work on all central government bodies and other organisations such as the BBC. Financial audit has never mattered more. In challenging times it remains vital that Parliament is well supported in scrutinising the performance of government - and rarely have there been more challenging times.

As part of the NAO’s responsibilities, The Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 makes the Comptroller and Auditor General responsible for the preparation, publication and maintenance of the Code of Audit Practice. The Code sets out what local auditors are required to do to fulfil their statutory responsibilities under the Act.

The NAO’s Local Audit Code and Guidance (LACG) Team is responsible for our work on the Code of Audit Practice and supporting guidance to local auditors arising from the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014. Local auditors are firms that carry out audits of local authorities, other local government bodies and local NHS bodies in England.

The LACG Team is responsible for the preparation, maintenance and publication of the Comptroller and Auditor General’s Code of Audit Practice and supporting guidance to auditors. The team undertakes the full range of activities associated with these responsibilities including:

  • providing a point of contact to address significant issues raised by auditors and other stakeholders that may require us to update the Code of Audit Practice or issue guidance to auditors; and
  • facilitating timely engagement with auditors and other stakeholders to promote consistency of approach on significant audit or accounting issues – for example, through convening and providing secretariat support to a Local Auditors Advisory Group.

The LACG Team are looking for two chartered accountants to help support their work at this crucial moment for the local audit system.

Our people are proud to be part of our diverse, inclusive and healthy workplace. We attract talented people and support them to become even better at what they do, enhancing their careers and ensuring they have the skills and capabilities they need. We welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds; we value the ideas, energy and diversity this brings us. We would particularly welcome applications from female and ethnic minority candidates. More information about what we do is available on our website.

While individuals have a permanent workplace location defined in their employment contract (either central London or central Newcastle-Upon-Tyne), we support and encourage flexible working, including the ability to work from home where this aligns with business need.

Responsibilities

Audit Principals on our LACG Team play a crucial role in supporting effective local audit, including:

  • maintaining the Code of Audit Practice, reviewing and revising the Code at least every five years, taking into account changes to auditing and accounting standards, and through consultation with high profile stakeholders within the local audit system;
  • drafting and publishing Auditor Guidance Notes and other guidance to support local auditors in their work to facilitate consistency of the financial audit of local government, police, fire and local NHS bodies, reporting on the adequacy of bodies’ arrangements to secure value for money, and the review of smaller authorities such as town and parish councils and drainage boards;
  • providing training to local auditors on the application of our Code and guidance as necessary;
  • liaising with other high-profile stakeholders in the local audit system, including the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, the Department of Health & Social Care, NHS Improvement and NHS England, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance Accountancy, the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales, Public Sector Audit Appointments Ltd, Smaller Authority Audit Appointments Ltd, and the Financial Reporting Council among others;
  • contributing to our wider work programme on local government, the NHS and criminal justice;
  • demonstrating a strong commitment to their own self development and to delivering the NAO’s strategic objectives; and
  • championing the NAO’s Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

Skills required

Our people strive for excellence, act with courage and integrity, are curious and seek to learn, and are inclusive and respectful.

Essential skills and experiences

  • Experience of IFRS and international standards on auditing in the public sector.
  • Relevant financial qualification (CCAB) with post-qualification experience in leading the day-to-day management of external audit engagements.
  • Experience of local audit, preferably both local government and NHS.
  • Exceptional project management skills, able to deliver high quality work under minimal supervision, while protecting your own welfare, and the welfare of your teams.
  • A proactive approach to problem solving and relationship building to maximise the influence of our work with government bodies and other stakeholders.
  • Collaborative, engages well with colleagues at all levels, and invests in their development and the wider success of the organisation.
  • The ability to lead, develop and motivate diverse teams and support all colleagues to deliver great work and achieve their potential.

Desirable skills and experience

  • Experience of working in a technical support audit role to help ensure consistent high quality work.
  • Experience of drafting accounting and auditing standards or guidance.

You must be a UK, Commonwealth, EEA or Swiss national to comply with Civil Service nationality rules and must hold a valid work permit. We are not able to sponsor work visas.

Educational requirements

  • CCAB qualified, or international equivalent.

 

Opening date: 19/04/2021
Closing date: 07/05/2021
Interviews: w/c 17/05/2021

Company

The National Audit Office (NAO) scrutinises public spending for Parliament. Our public audit perspective helps Parliament hold government to account and improve public services.

We audit the financial statements of all central government departments, agencies and other public bodies, and report the results to Parliament. Our other work comprises value for money studies, local audit, investigations, support to Parliament and international activities.

 

Company info
Location
London
United Kingdom

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