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Senior Internal Auditor - Finance Office - 30138 - Grade 7

Employer
Global Academy Jobs
Location
United Kingdom
Salary
£30,942.00 - £42,792.00
Closing date
Mar 11, 2021

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Job Details

Position Details

Finance Office

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £30,942 to £40,322, with potential progression once in post to £42,792

Grade 7

Full Time - Permanent - Will consider 80% FTE for the right candidate

Closing date 3rd January 2021

Here's an exciting opportunity to join an Internal Audit team that is part of a world-class institution based in Birmingham and spreading its influence across the world.

The University of Birmingham is a thriving and dynamic organisation, acknowledged as one of the world's top 100 universities and a member of the elite Russell Group of UK universities. Established in 1900, we have a rich history of teaching and research, and a strong reputation locally, nationally and internationally. We continue to grow, invest and develop to achieve our vision of making important things happen.

We are looking for an engaged, empathetic, pragmatic person to join our team as a Senior Internal Auditor. You'll know what internal auditing looks and feels like, and be able to demonstrate advanced skills in delivering it. You won't be a tick-box auditor; you'll be able to develop strong relationships up, down and across the organisation, understand our objectives and the environment we operate in, positively challenge senior stakeholders, be brave enough to ask are we doing too much? and get to the heart of the issues we face. We keep asking what's the risk? and what's important?, and focus on the assurance we can provide rather than counting recommendations. You will recognise the value of diversity in thought and approach in the workplace. You might not have direct internal audit experience or qualifications, but if not your expertise in finance, compliance, risk, health and safety or regulation means you can bring something different to the team.

Our audit plans are wide and varied, from Home Office visa compliance to student and staff wellbeing, financial controls to radiation safety systems, IT applications to our nursery settings. You'll get the support you need, but you'll be confident in your ability to pick up new areas. Our audit approach includes data analytics tools (what can you bring here?), audit management software and a visual, risk-focused reporting style.

In return you'll get a role based on campus in the Aston Webb building but with significant opportunities for flexible working arrangements, access to a defined benefit pension scheme, and an enviable work-life balance with a generous 40 days of holiday made up of 25 days annual holiday, seven closed days, and eight bank holidays. This can either be a full time or a part time role - we're looking for someone who can fit into our approach and culture, and so happy to hear from candidates who may prefer an 80% equivalent arrangement. We are an EDI-confident employer and value diversity and inclusivity across the University.

If this interests you, and you want to help us make important things happen, step this way....

Background

Internal Audit (IA) is an independent function that provides objective assurance and consultancy services to the Executive and Audit Committee, and provides annual opinions on internal control, governance, risk management, value for money and data as required by OfS. It aims to help the University accomplish its objectives by evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of its risk management, control, and governance processes, and improving these where possible.

Summary of Role

This role is that of an internal audit practitioner performing large and complex audits either individually or in an audit team. Our audits review the governance, risk management and control arrangements across the University as it seeks to deliver its organisational objectives. The work will involve the use and development of modern internal audit approaches that encompass risk-based internal auditing, value for money reviews and consultancy services, and document this work in Pentana, our audit management software. The role holder is expected to manage a number of engagements simultaneously, including the follow-up of actions agreed in audits, and deliver their allocated audits within departmental KPI targets.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Planning audit activities
  • Support the annual planning process by providing the Head of Internal Audit with on-going assessments of risks and control frameworks identified across the university and from external sources of information and insight.
  • Plan and research audits using internal and external resources to support delivery of a risk-based audit process in line with the IA Audit Manual.
  • Agree the form and timescales of audits with management to determine the scope of work for individual audits, and the expected controls and tests to be undertaken to assess the adequacy of the control and risk management environment.


2. Undertaking and supervising audit assignments
  • The execution and leadership of risk-based operational and financial audits and reviews in line with the IA Audit Manual, which is aligned with IIA Standards.
  • Simultaneously manage several large and / or complex assignments across the University either individually or leading others on an assignment.
  • Produce concise, factually correct audit reports that convey the opinions arrived at through the audit, in a way that is appropriately contextualised.
  • Work to departmental KPIs for the audit process and utilisation rates, including achievement of key deadlines and time budgets.
  • Set and deliver to auditees' expectations on the audit process and timelines, applying the no surprises concept throughout the audit process.
  • Use of software packages including Excel and IDEA to evaluate data and evidence that supports audit opinions.
  • Developing and agreeing practical, pragmatic, proportionate recommendations with auditees that efficiently and effectively improve the management of risk to the achievement of organisational objectives.
  • Conducting investigations into allegations of fraud and irregularities. Developing methods and approaches for managing fraud risk and fraud investigations.
  • Any other ad hoc reviews or activities as specified by the Head of Internal Audit that support the achievement of IA objectives.


3. Follow-up of agreed actions

The timely follow-up of agreed actions arising from audit reports in line with the IA methodology. This requires strong time management, communication and collaborative skills with action owners, and clear judgement in the assessment of evidence provided. Support in the visual presentation of progress that is reported to Audit Committee.

4. Stakeholder management

Manage client relationships to ensure a positive perception of the service and facilitate successful outcomes for planned and ad hoc assignments. Manage relationships with colleagues in areas of work that are considered sensitive or confidential. Represent IA on a range of functional and professional groups both internal and external to the University. Provide advice and guidance as required on risk and control matters to stakeholders across the University.

5. Technical development

Develop methodologies and techniques in audit practices that draw on relevant professional standards and best practice so that Internal Audit maintains a modern and objective-focussed approach to its work. Contribute to the development of IA policies, procedures and practices in the field of audit, risk management and consultancy. Monitor the effectiveness of such approaches in light of feedback and dialogue with key service partners. Identify and share planning techniques that demonstrate best practice in the field of auditing and the subsequent communication and dissemination of these techniques to Internal Audit colleagues.

6. Personal development

Participate in training, development and continuing professional development as necessary to ensure that their knowledge of risk-based internal audit, risk management, control theory and the HE sector, particularly the University, is sufficient to perform their role. Support colleagues undertaking professional study and support the Head of Internal Audit in the induction and training of staff. Provide support and guidance to other team members in their day-to-day audit activity. Support team colleagues through additional advice and training whilst carrying out their audit assignments.

Person Specification

This role requires a resilient, proactive, self-starter who demonstrates energy, continual learning and an advocacy for strong governance that supports the achievement of the University's objectives. The post-holder should have experience of Internal Audit or a position that is considered to be a second or third line of defence, and hold a CCAB, CIA/QIAL (or previous equivalents) or similar professional qualification in a related field. Experience of IT systems and data analysis is desirable, particularly within an audit context.

Requires knowledge of:-
  • Modern internal audit approaches, and professional auditing standards and the ability to articulate these to auditors and non-auditors.
  • Current developments in audit, risk management and control frameworks, and how they can be applied to a large and complex organisation.
  • Full understanding of audit methodologies in the areas of governance, risk management, control and consultancy approaches.
  • Microsoft Outlook and Office suite of products, Word and Excel are essential, data analytic tools such as IDEA desirable.
  • Knowledge of IT audit is desirable.


Requires the following skills:-
  • Report writing skills, particularly the ability to concisely and precisely express findings and opinions that convey the output of audit fieldwork with appropriate context.
  • Interpersonal skills to engage with a range of stakeholders and auditees across the organisation, demonstrating integrity, tact and diplomacy in sensitive areas (e.g. frauds, etc.)
  • Ability to reach a considered opinion based on evidence, expert knowledge and contextual factors, communicate and justify these opinions, and influence senior stakeholders to accept them, particularly when being challenged on their outputs.
  • Being open to constructive feedback from stakeholders, and adapting positions as relevant information is received.
  • Ability to influence and communicate effectively at all levels.
  • Ability to prioritise workload in accomplishing the goals of IA and review their own work in progress and upon completion.
  • Ability to work with minimum supervision, self-motivated but also able to work within a team environment.


Informal enquires to Jon Darling Email: j.darling@bham.ac.uk

We value diversity at The University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community '

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