Job Description
1. JOB PURPOSE:
• The purpose of this role is to manage, perform, and control internal audit assignments
across the three partner Councils
• The role requires wide-ranging experience in conducting system audits and reviews
across all Council services.
• The primary goal is to provide independent assurance designed to add value and
improve the Council's operations by evaluating and enhancing the effectiveness of risk
management, control, and governance processes.
• Audits will be tailored to meet service expectations, ensuring the efficiency and
effectiveness of the audit process.
2. DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:
• Planning & Preparation: Understand and document the requirements of each audit
assignment such as timing, location and work requirement.
• Complete relevant background research, arrange necessary appointments with the
client in advance and prepare Audit Briefs for assignments for approval by the Head
of Internal Audit and Risk Assurance.
• Fact-Finding: Interview operational and management staff at client sites to enable
systems and controls to be identified, documented and evaluated in assignment
working papers.
• Provide comprehensive understanding of the service being audited, allowing for
accurate assessment and improvement of systems and controls.
• Testing: Drafting the testing strategy, including the direction of testing, sample sizes
and detail required and document this in working papers before commencing routine
audits. For more complex audits, the testing strategy and associated working papers
will be reviewed and approved by the assigned audit senior.
• Undertake testing in line with the reviewed testing strategy and evaluate the
significance of results within the working papers, making recommendations for
improvement, where required, for review by the audit senior.
• Debriefing: Debrief the client on the findings of the audit, highlighting the risks and
weaknesses and agree recommendations. This emphasises the auditees
understanding of audit findings and acknowledgement on necessary corrective
actions, promoting better risk management.
• Reporting: Prepare and proofread good quality, concise internal audit reports which
can be supported by appropriate working papers for review by an audit senior prior to
approval by the Head of Internal Audit. This approach guarantees that reports convey
audit findings clearly and facilitate informed decision-making.
• Quality & Timeliness: Complete all work within agreed timescales and budgets and to
the appropriate quality standard thus maintaining client satisfaction and audit integrity.
• Ensure that any variations to original deadlines and budgets are agreed with the Audit
and Risk Manager in advance.
• Ensure that work is retained securely and in accordance with the procedures and work
with the Audit and Risk Manager to undertake quality assurance compliance reviews.
This protects the confidentiality and integrity of audit documents, complying with legal
and organisational requirements.
• Offer timely, practical and professional advice to client departments relating to value
for money, system implementation, interpretation of financial regulations and standing
orders and other general control issues.
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• Data Analytics: Collaborate with the Audit and Risk Manager to compile information
and relevant data for inclusion in formal reports to senior management and audit
committees.
• Work with other audit staff as required, promoting a collaborative work environment,
improving team development and audit quality. This will include supervising
apprentices on specific tasks as agreed with the Audit and Risk Manager.
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of changes within the Council(s) and legislation
affecting the Councils’ services. All staff are expected to carry out their job in
compliance with the Council’s Constitution. This means being familiar with the policies
and procedures relevant to the job and asking for information and advice if you are
unsure of the correct course of action. This ensures audit practices are current and
aligned with the latest regulations, enhancing relevance and effectiveness.
• Carry out the duties and responsibilities of the job with due regard to all Council policies
and procedures including Data Protection, Equal Opportunities and Health and Safety,
including undertaking mandatory training
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