Job Title: Principal Auditor

Location: Hybrid - able to attend offices as required for individual audits. Office - Sheerness House, 41 Meadow Road, Kettering, Northamptonshire, NN16 8TL

Rate of Pay: £26.62 PAYE OR £35.34 Umbrella per hour

Working Hours: Monday to Friday - 37 hours per week

Type: Temporary role - 3 Months

Opus People Solutions are working with North Northamptonshire Council to recruit for a Principal Auditor.

Purpose of the job

The Principal Auditor role plays a valuable role in the delivery of assignments within the Internal Audit Plan. This will include both financial and non-financial controls and potential work with partners and schools.

The post holder is required to plan and deliver audits which will provide assurance over the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls operating for the Council and its partners. The role will require the post holder to identify risks, assess controls and inform an assurance opinion over a diverse range of services delivered to our local communities.

The role will assist in providing clients with independent assurance that their service is being delivered in line with statutory requirements, risks are identified and effectively managed, control systems are appropriate and value for money is achieved in line with the Council's objectives.

Principal responsibilities

1. To plan and carry out audit assignments, in consultation with audit management, having due regard to professional standards (utilising the relevant tools and techniques), internal quality procedures and any requirements of Internal Audit management.
2. Provide a draft report and working papers clearly documenting all audit evidence for management review. File papers should be prepared logically and in accordance with established procedures.
3. To develop and maintain an appreciation of audit and risk management techniques. To maintain an awareness of organisational risks and the controls / risk mitigations needed to manage those risks in order to provide assurance that the risk mitigation framework is designed and operating effectively.
4. To help ensure services treat customers equitably and deliver what the customer requires in accordance with service standards and Council priorities.
5. Represent Internal Audit, as and when required by management, whether within the Council, with partners, or on an inter-authority or other basis.
6. To develop effective relationships with all parties that would be associated with the delivery of the Audit Plan and individual audits.

7. To assist in resolving ad hoc queries from service department management and/or provide advice and guidance to service department management as and when required, or as directed.
8. To ensure the ongoing quality of Internal Audits to all clients, ensuring compliance with the Public Sector Internal Audit Standards, the Code of Ethics and the Internal Audit Manual.

General responsibilities

1. Demonstrate awareness/understanding of equal opportunities and other people's behavioural, physical, social and welfare needs.
2. Comply with the Council's policies and procedures including (but not limited to) safeguarding, financial regulations, promotion of equalities, customer care, agreed audit actions and health and safety (ensuring that reasonable care is taken at all times for the health, safety and welfare of yourself and other persons).
3. Carry out any other duties which fall within the broad spirit, scope and purpose of this job description and which are commensurate with the grade of the post.

Essential Criteria

• Qualified Accounting Technician (AAT); or
• Part professionally qualified e.g. CIPFA / PIIA / CMIIA / CCAB
• Practical knowledge and understanding of Internal Audit, risk management and/or finance dealing with a variety of services, including non-financial systems.
• Appreciation of risks, controls and materiality within financial and non-financial systems.
• Knowledge and application of principles, standards and procedures required for Internal Audit and compliance reviews, particularly those laid down in the Public Sector Internal Audit Standards.
• Good knowledge of data protection and confidentiality issues.
• Time management / prioritisation - ability to achieve deadlines, meet audit time budgets, and juggle several pieces of work. Initiative in taking assigned audits forward.
• Microsoft Office knowledge. Proficient in the use of Word and Excel, and ability to interrogate financial systems.

For more information or to process your application for this role, please apply online now.