Internal Audit - Senior Consultant - Public & Social Sector London
Job description
Introduction to the Public & Social Sector team Our team offers internal audit, advisory and other assurance services across multiple organisations within the public & social sector. We provide our clients with clarity over the performance of their risk management processes and raise recommendations for improvement where required. Working in the public & social sector will enable you to meet and support like-minded individuals at your clients who really want to make a difference in society. You can directly contribute to supporting local communities and be involved with some of the biggest issues in society at the moment. Public & social sector organisations are extremely important, unique and interesting. At Mazars, we work with a wide variety of organisations across the range of sub-sectors set out later in this section. As we act independently to our clients, we play an important role in supporting public scrutiny, helping to hold organisations to account, support continual improvement and striving to make society a better place. You will have the opportunity to work across a wide range of clients within the public & social sector Risk Consulting team. Our team provide distinctive audit and advisory services across the following six sectors: Local government - We are among the top 4 firms providing internal, IT and audits as well as anti-fraud and corruption services to local government. The Apex Framework, delivered by Croydon Council and Mazars, provides local authorities with internal audit resources with over 40 local authorities and companies adopting the framework. Education - Education organisations we work with include universities, sixth form colleges, academies and schools. As part of the work we do, we complete specialist funding audits, data return and legislative reviews for our education clients, as well as wider audits around the student experience, apprenticeships, safeguarding and governance, to name a few. Central government - We work with a range of Arm's Length Bodies (ALBs) of government, who deliver and manage public services, provide advice to government and develop regulation. ALBs therefore include organisations with very specific objectives, such as museums and galleries, research institutions and regulators. Housing - Housing in general, and social housing in particular, is of significant focus within the UK. Mazars is amongst the largest providers of Internal Audit services to the social housing sector, operating across both England and Wales. We audit key risk areas such as fire safety, income collection and anti-social behaviour, providing consulting and assurance services to almost 100 clients; Police - We provide a range of internal audits to the Office of Police & Crime Commissioners and the associated Police Force. These organisations face various challenges and are very much in the political and media spotlight for the way in which they operate. Our work adds value to the organisations by providing assurance over key areas such as corporate services areas including Finance and HR to more operational areas such as Victim Services, Firearms Licensing and Seized Property. Charities - We provide internal audit and advisory services to a range of household name charities working across fields such as international conservation, care in the community and medical research funding. It's a fascinating sector and offers you the opportunity to work with people with strong altruistic values and to feel as though you are really making a difference. There is also some unique audit work in this area that you don't see elsewhere such as reviewing fundraising strategies and practices, raffles and lotteries, and volunteer management. The work that you will undertake will be varied and diverse and will have a direct meaningful impact on our clients and the communities they serve. You will help them to shape their internal processes, reduce their exposure to risk and highlight the opportunities facing them. Job Purpose You will be responsible for delivering proactive, high quality and value-added internal audit services across our portfolio of Public & Social Sector clients. The role will principally involve co-ordination and day to day delivery of internal audit services to clients to the agreed quality and in accordance with agreed timescales. In addition, you will be expected to play a key role in financial management of your portfolio, business development alongside people management, training and development of the wider team. The team has experienced strong growth in recent years and is well placed to build on this further with strong opportunities for further progression for successful candidates. You will also be expected to contribute to the wider success of the Risk Consulting service line and help in its continuous improvement. We are now operating a hybrid working model, so you will split your time between working from home, visiting the office, and client sites when required. This role would be based in London, with travelling subject to client and business need. You will report to the Partners responsible for Public & Social Sector work within Risk Consulting. Role & Responsibilities Co-ordination and support in development and delivery of the Internal Audit Strategy and Annual Plan Operationalising and monitoring delivery of the Internal Audit Strategy and Annual Plan, including timetabling and resourcing including any specialist teams Planning and performance of fieldwork including liaison with auditees, preparing Terms of Reference briefing any other team members, as well as feedback meetings with auditees Support in the preparation, review and presentation of papers to the Audit and Risk Committee/other meetings as required Considering the needs and skills of those under supervision, organising tasks and responsibilities. Providing on-the-job training and supervision of any junior team members during delivery of fieldwork. Building and maintaining strong working relationships with auditees, ensuring any problems or requests are dealt with promptly. Maintaining control and stability under pressure whilst recognising the deadline or urgency to be dealt with. Assesses and produces high quality work in line with the Firm's policy and processes, meeting relevant regulatory requirements. Providing constructive feedback for the completion of team member performance appraisals. Being a People Manager, with direct reports and fulfilling the requirements of this role including goal setting, performance reviews, development and training. Ensuring the effective financial management of your associated portfolio/audits you are responsible alongside contributing to overall achievement of financial goals. Assistance on other special assignments (e.g. working/project groups, other reviews) as and when required. Ability to make confident and clear presentations of service features and benefits to auditees. Support in development and delivery of methodologies, tools and services provided. Ensure standards and procedures including the Internal Audit Manual and completion of workings papers is maintained by the team. Skills, Knowledge and Experience Experience of delivering internal audit services within the Public & Social sector. Holds CCAB qualification (i.e.) ACA, CA, ACCA, IIA or CII) or equivalent Good interpersonal and client handling skills. Experience of people management including managing, training and coaching trainees. Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills. Actively seeks to enhance expertise and knowledge. Ability to develop new initiatives and methodologies. Ability to identify issues through sound analysis and application of commercial acumen in all situations. Provides assistance, shares experience, provides meaningful feedback and proactively supports the development of others. Takes ownership of projects, effectively delegates to others within the team and takes responsibility for quality control. Ensure professional internal auditing standards and procedures including the Internal Audit Manual and completion of workings papers is maintained by the team. Inclusion and Diversity At Mazars inclusion and diversity are central to our values. We recognise that being an inclusive and diverse organisation makes us stronger as a business. We seek to attract and recruit people who reflect the diverse nature of our clients and communities, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, nationality, faith or belief, social background, age and disability. Mazars selects candidates based on skills, knowledge, qualifications and experience. Mazars
