INTERNAL ONLY VACANCY. This post is open to existing Leeds City Council employees only. Applications will not be considered from external candidates.

Job title: Internal Audit Manager

Salary: PO4 £46,142 - £49,282

Hours: 37 hours per week (Full-time)

Contract: Permanent

Location: Leeds City Council – Civic Hall, with hybrid working offered

Leeds is made up of 812,000 people - from a diverse range of backgrounds, speaking over 175 different languages. A city with a unique geography - a vibrant urban centre surrounded by towns, villages and more rural areas, each with their own distinct history and character. We are proud to be a welcoming city, where our rich culture and diversity is celebrated and accessible for all. Every person in Leeds counts and should have the opportunity to contribute their strengths to Team Leeds. Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees and we seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

We are seeking to recruit an experienced and motivated Audit Manager to join our highly regarded Internal Audit service within the wider Financial Services team.

This is a key role supporting the delivery of the Internal Audit plan and counter-fraud activities. You will undertake and lead a range of complex audit assignments across the Council, including governance reviews, value for money work, risk-based audits and fraud investigations.

You will work closely with Senior Audit Managers and stakeholders across the organisation, providing independent and objective assurance in line with relevant Internal Audit Standards.

As an Audit Manager working within Internal Audit, you’ll thrive on working in a professional, enthusiastic and supportive team, who care about making a difference through high quality service delivery and continuous improvement.

About you

As an Internal Audit Manager, you will:

Hold a relevant professional qualification (AT/IAP qualified, CIA part qualified or an Accredited Counter Fraud Specialist or equivalent qualification)
Have relevant experience within an audit or counter-fraud environment
Have a strong understanding of Internal Audit Standards
Be able to deliver complex audit assignments, including governance, risk and value for money reviews, and fraud investigations
Demonstrate good analytical and communication skills and use these to present clear information and recommendations
Build effective relationships and provide constructive challenge
Have experience of leading or supervising audit staff
Be highly organised and able to meet deadlines

About the Audit Manager Role

The Audit Manager position may be based within either the Internal Audit team or the Counter Fraud team. The final allocation will be determined following appointment.

The role will require the postholder to build and manage strong relationships with managers across the organisation, providing professional guidance, advice and recommendations on governance, risk management and internal control arrangements, as well as supporting them in identifying and managing fraud risks.

You will be able to lead a small team of auditors, demonstrating application of management principles including developing and coaching your team and assisting senior managers within the section to deliver corporate, departmental and service plan objectives.

You will have the ability to deploy a range of appropriate auditing techniques, including data analytics, to provide assurance to managers across the authority.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

We have a strong track record of helping people develop their Finance careers, alongside our commitment to improving diversity and wellbeing. In addition to training, development and mentoring, employees can also gain experience within both our Internal Audit function and the counter-fraud team.

You can also take advantage of our various flexible working patterns including our ‘hybrid’ working model. Staff within Financial Services at present have the option to work both in the office and from home, with an average of 1-2 days per week worked from the office depending on business need.

How to apply

Please upload your CV and complete a personal statement of no more than 500 words. Read our guidance for further advice. If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Angela Laycock, Head of Audit and Corporate Governance. Call – 0113 37 88692 or email – Angela.Laycock@leeds.gov.uk.

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job purpose

To provide support to the Senior Audit Managers and manage the delivery of audits and other assignments.

The post holder will be required to apply the requirements of Global Internal Audit Standards in the UK Public Sector, ensuring the provision of a professional, independent and objective internal audit service.

The post holder will be responsible for the delivery of audits assigned to them and will be required to undertake complex audit assignments of a strategic nature including value for money reviews, governance reviews, fraud investigations, and ad-hoc projects. The post holder will be responsible for leading a small group of auditors on audit assignments.

Responsibilities

Responsible for the delivery of assigned audits and other ad-hoc assignments in line with Global Internal Audit Standards in the UK Public Sector and established quality procedures. This will include ensuring that the section’s key performance indicators relating to deadlines and timescales for delivery of audit reports are achieved.
Undertake complex assignments including value for money reviews, governance reviews, ad-hoc projects, fraud strategies and investigations.
Undertake assignments for external clients as appropriate.
Ensure provision of a professional, independent and objective internal audit service in line with Global Internal Audit Standards in the UK Public Sector.
Apply the behavioural expectations for ethics and professionalism as outlined in Global Internal Audit Standards in the UK Public Sector and ensure the section maintains high standards of integrity, objectivity, confidentiality, and competence.
Explain complex data to non-technical stakeholders to help inform and challenge decision-makers.
Prepare and present briefings, findings and recommendations at a policy level within the Council.
Responsible for the day-to-day line management and supervision of lead auditors and trainees as required.
Display customer focus and role model the behaviours expected of a manager.
Actively support the work of the Section in the following areas:
Administration
Quality Assurance and compliance with Global Internal Audit Standards in the UK Public Sector
Training initiatives and CPD
Service Plan development and achievement of key aims and objectives
Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills.
Improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion with colleagues and appropriate CPD programmes.
To work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice.
Contribute to the overall ethos, work, and aims of the service by attending relevant meetings, training days/events as requested.
All duties to be undertaken with due regard to the confidential nature of the work.
Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g., child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality, and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person.
Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, and promoting the values, standards, and equal opportunities of Leeds City Council.
Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse of equal opportunities, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol, and this role will be expected to work within these parameters.
The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

Qualifications

AT/IAP qualified, CIA part qualified or an Accredited Counter Fraud Specialist or equivalent qualification.

Essential requirements

Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the following essential requirements:

Able to work flexibly across different work locations and areas as appropriate.
Ability to analyse complex problems (financial or otherwise) and suggest practical solutions.
Review and develop new systems and procedures.
Able to interpret, evaluate and disseminate information.
Demonstrate practical application of management principles (delegation, motivation, planning, control and monitoring).
Ability to identify training and development needs.
Ability to work to strict deadlines as a team member.
Ability to lead a small team of auditors
Ability to provide independent challenge, analysis and interpretation of financial and performance information
Good written and oral communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with internal partners/professionals
Ability to plan and organise own work and that of others competently with minimum supervision, and to strict deadlines
Sound problem solving and analytical and skills
Ability to clearly present financial and non-financial information in a manner appropriate to the recipients of the information
Ability to understand and meet customer expectations
Ability to establish credibility with senior management and other stakeholders
Good understanding of the role of Internal Audit and Global Internal Audit Standards in the UK Public Sector.
Knowledge and understanding of quality management techniques.
Awareness of current financial developments affecting local government.
Up to date knowledge of auditing techniques.
Relevant audit/counter fraud experience
Substantial experience of working in an audit or counter-fraud environment.
Understanding of managers’ responsibility for health and safety.
Experience of contributing to the business planning process.
Experience of achieving timely production of financial information and reports.
Management experience including staff supervision, training and development.

Essential behavioural and other characteristics

Understand and embrace Leeds City Council values and behaviours and codes of conduct
Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Leeds Ambitions of health and wellbeing, inclusive growth, thriving strong communities, and a resilient sustainable city
Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures
Carry out duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing
Participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up, to date knowledge and skills
Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding equality and diversity of Leeds City Council
Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person
Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol, and the role will be expected to work within these parameters

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