Job Description

Internal Audit:

• To manage a small portfolio of internal audit clients in conjunction with the Head of Internal Audit.
• To support the Head of Internal Audit and Associate Director by ensuring exceptional quality delivery of our audit plans.
• To plan, organize and undertake internal audit assignments as part of a rolling schedule of reviews in support of delivering the ICCA Education Training and Skills internal audit offer to the Further Education sector.
• To effectively deploy the right level of skilled staff on internal audit assignments.
• To prepare the planning and preparation of individual audit terms of reference.
• To support the Associate Director and Head of Internal Audit in the formulation and preparation of our client’s internal audit plans and strategies.
• To prepare draft audit reports and working papers in line with the requirements of the Joint Audit Code of Practice (JACoP) and Public Sector Internal Audit Standards (PSIAS).
• To lead on complex assignments and supervise graduate staff within the Funding Audit and Assurance (FAA) team.
• To quality assure draft audit reports and feedback on improvements to staff.
• To carry out quality assurance reviews on work completed by junior members of the FAA team, including reviewing completeness of testing, accuracy of assurance conclusion and identification of value added activities.
• To ensure draft reports are completed within the timescales agreed with individual clients.
• To lead on wash up meetings following the completion of internal audit fieldwork.
• Where required attend Audit Committee meetings to present the findings of our internal audit reports.
• To track and monitor the progress of the service provided to clients.

Funding Assurance:

• To lead funding audits utilizing the methodology adopted by the Education and Skills Funding Agency and predecessor bodies in order to provide assurance on the controls and compliance arrangements adopted by our clients.
• To prepare advisory reports outlining areas of non-compliance with the ESFA funding rules within the engagement terms agreed with the client.
• To continuously keep up to date with changes in the ESFA funding rules in order to provide our clients with the highest level of advisory support.

General Duties and responsibilities:

• To identify and support the Heads of Internal within the FAA team in sourcing additional work opportunities at both new and existing clients.
• To be familiar and comply with all of ICCA Education Training and Skills policies (provided during induction).
• To undertake ad-hoc assignments in support of the Heads of Internal Audit and Associate Directors, including conducting Investigations at our clients.
• To manage small teams of auditors during onsite fieldwork.
• To build upon existing knowledge and develop new knowledge of the Further Education Sector.
• To contribute to the development of the team by sharing and acquiring knowledge and skills.

Attributes:

Technical skills:

• To have exemplar technical knowledge on the internal audit process as defined by the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA).
• To have a detailed understanding of the Further Education sector and in particular the challenges facing the sector.
• To have previous experience of performing internal audit assignments which provide both robust assurance and added value to clients.
• An understanding of risk based auditing.
• To be well grounded in the skills of coaching and training members of staff.

Communication (oral, electronic, written):

• Oral – must be able to effectively communicate and disseminate audit findings to our clients to ensure a ‘no surprise’ approach is adopted.
• Must be confident and be able to demonstrate coherent technical understanding of the issues identified during fieldwork.
• Must be able to establish excellent ongoing relationships with our clients with a focus for adding value.
• Must be able to demonstrate the ability to listen, evaluate and understand client and team needs.
• Must be able to effectively prepare written draft reports and working papers to the standards set by ICCA Education Training and Skills.
• Must be comfortable in supporting other members of the team in undertaking seminars / workshops as required.

Personal qualities:

• The post-holder must have a pro-active attitude in seeking to understand client needs and provide effective solutions.
• Must take personal responsibility for the delivery of internal audit and funding audit assignments in respect of completion, timeliness and accuracy.
• Must seek to continuously improve and develop as part of the role.
• Demonstrate a commitment to coaching junior members of staff.

Qualifications

A recognized professional qualification is preferable:

• CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants).
• ACA (Association of Chartered Accountants).
• ACCA (Certified Chartered Accountant).
• CIPFA (Public Finance Accountant).
• IIA (Institute of Internal Auditors) – PIIA or MIIA.

A good standard of written English is required and so a minimum of a Level 2 qualification in English Language is required.

Company Benefits

• Group Life Assurance
• Group Income Protection
• Group Critical Illness
• Up to 25% off on gym memberships throughout the UK
• Holiday Buy Back Scheme

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work remotely:

• Temporarily due to COVID-19

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The post-holder will be willing to travel to client premises within the portfolio of clients assigned to them. Overnight stops will be required as part of this role. The post-holder must hold a clean UK Driving License. There is a requirement to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Scheme check in order to work unsupervised at client premises. This must come back “clean” and be carried with you to present to clients on request.