Vacancy Type/Job category: Management & Professional
Department: Secretary to Council - Internal Audit
Vacancy Overview: 2 x Permanent positions, 36.5 hours per week (1.0 FTE). Includes Market Supplement of £2k (with relevant qualifications)

At Warwick University we currently have two fantastic opportunities to join us as Internal Auditors.

With a turnover of £703m, over 28,000 Students and 7,000 members of staff across academic departments, institutes, research centres and professional services functions, the University is an organisation full of opportunity. In addition to Warwick’s research and education activities, we also operate a number of commercial ventures and have an extensive capital development programme. For the audit team this offers a variety of interesting audit opportunities as the Internal Audit Service covers all aspects of Warwick’s operation.

What will you do?

Reporting to the Head of Internal Audit, you will deliver a programme of risk-based internal audits, evaluating the effectiveness of risk management, control, and governance processes. Internal Audit operates as a service to management, providing advice and assurance to the highest levels of University management, to Audit & Risk Committee, and the University's Governing Body, the University Council.

What are we looking for?

We are seeking an individual with a proven risk-based internal audit track record in any sector, who would like the opportunity of a new challenge as a key contributor to our team. You will need excellent interpersonal skills, the ability to work flexibly and work collaboratively with management to deliver a portfolio of audit assignments across a broad spectrum of operational activities.

What we offer you?

This is an opportunity to work for a top ten University interfacing with a wide variety of departments throughout the course of your role. From areas such as IT, Estates to Academic and Research focussed departments such as our Sciences, Technology and Engineering. With the opportunity to work hybrid in this role you will interface and build relationships with a wide variety of teams and Senior Leaders in a variety of ways.

We are committed to ensuring that everyone feels accepted and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. If your experience looks different from what we've advertised and you believe that you can bring value to the role, please take the opportunity to contact Gillian Bagwell, Head of Internal Audit for an informal discussion about the role. 

Job Description 

To be part of an Internal Audit team for the University operating to the professional standards of the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors (CIIA).

To manage and take responsibility for completing audits assigned to enable the Audit & Risk Committee and senior management to discharge their responsibilities for providing assurance to Council.

To report upon the adequacy of risk management and control and in some instances governance and value for money. From time to time to undertake a series of ad hoc investigations requested by senior management and to participate in strategy projects.

Duties & Responsibilities

Evaluation and Testing

• To be accountable for using professional skills and knowledge to assess risk management and controls in different parts of the University and to devise and implement effective tests of the controls.
• To identify unmitigated risks and potential control weaknesses and the possible impact of these (e.g. non-compliance with statutory requirements, fraud, error, misstatement of financial records).
• To develop recommendations that will cost-effectively rectify the issues identified by audit testing

Liaison with Departments

• To ensure the confidence and co-operation of Heads of Departments, Senior Officers and other staff is obtained in order to enable audits to proceed smoothly and the recommendations contained within audit reports to be accepted.
• To facilitate change (e.g. to management structures, policies and operations) in a co-operative manner. Therefore, developing and maintaining good professional relationships with managers is essential.

Reporting and Follow Up

• To take responsibility for communicating audit findings to all levels of management and for negotiating with management to agree the responses to reports.
• To report the findings, conclusions, and agreed implementation plan for each audit to the Audit Committee, Vice Chancellor, and Senior Officers of the University in order to provide information, assurance, and to facilitate the improvement of risk management and control.
• To follow-up where required the progress made in implementing agreed recommendations, and to report findings as above.

Unplanned Assignments

• Conducting allocated contingency assignments and investigations into suspected fraud, financial loss, error and inefficiency and to report to Senior Officers on the results of these investigations.
• To be a member of strategic project teams giving the team professional advice on risk management and control issues associated with the project for which they are collectively responsible.
• To review the Value for Money obtained from activities undertaken by the University and highlight any inefficiencies, ineffectiveness or waste.

Advice and Guidance

• To provide a point of contact for University staff who require advice and support in respect of risk management and controls.

Closing date: 10 April 2023.

Interview date: TBC.