Job Overview

Detailed job description and main responsibilities. Discussions with senior and non-finance staff concerning contentious and complicated financial, control and governance issues at a corporate level. Negotiating with external agencies. Communication of audit findings and advice.

Work is managed rather than supervised, with the jobholder working within procedures, broad policies and guidelines as defined by the Quality System, but having the freedom to act with autonomy. The nature of the work necessitates a thorough and concentrated focus on the gathering, testing and evaluation of evidence whilst balancing competing priorities.

There is extensive scope for decision making in respect of planning and organising the personal work schedule, managing priorities, forming judgments on the adequacy and effectiveness of systems, and producing recommendations to deliver improvements. These decisions will be based upon detailed analysis and evaluation of complex systems issues and options across a range of systems.

Such analysis will incorporate an assessment of potentially conflicting and multi-layered information e.g. option appraisals, serious disciplinary cases.

Over time, there will be a day-to-day supervisory role in respect of staff in the function encompassing work scheduling, coaching, and individual/ team training, and assignment review. This will include coordination of resources across competing priorities in order to achieve agreed objectives.

The Agency operates in a unique competitive trading environment requiring a professional customer-focus at all times and a range of commercial skills of the post-holder. This trading environment creates a business model that requires income to be secured in open competition against multinational consulting and accountancy firms.

Income needs to be secured on a regional and national basis to maintain operational and strategic viability.

There is a requirement to adapt to a range of working conditions at different client sites that will also involve frequent travel.

A substantial element of the job involves utilising a number of office based and client computer systems to evaluate systems and produce the audit outputs. Those outputs, usually reports, are generated from input and manipulation of financial and other data in word processing, spreadsheet, presentations and database applications.

Performs all elements of a risk-based audit assignment over the range of routine internal audits across a number of clients as well as a broad range of complex/ad hoc audits often of a non-financial nature. Produces work to final report stage, setting out key control issues and recommendations.

Discusses issues with client staff and produces final reports that can be personally taken to Audit Committee and Board level.

Takes a lead responsibility for supporting Audit Managers in the operational management of allocated audit plans. This could include deputising, or attendance in own right, at Audit Committees and related Committees. It will also involve contributing to drawing up and monitoring the function's budgets as expressed through delegated audit plans.

Conducts research on behalf of the function and the Agency to develop approaches to emerging auditable areas.

Makes recommendations as appropriate often-involving significant proposed changes to working practices and procedures following policy implementation. These routinely will involve contributing to service redesign and providing benchmarking information in own area of activity and across many NHS bodies.

Regularly undertakes complex system reviews that conclude upon the adequacy of the control environment, physical security of cash and the safeguarding of assets.

Reviews the adequacy of risk management, governance and assurance systems established.

Responds to, and often anticipates, queries from clients, which may be of a sensitive and confidential nature, and investigates and reports as necessary to the satisfaction of the client. These queries may relate to complex issues requiring a detailed understanding of client risks, NHS/Wider public sector systems and existing guidance.

Plans and organises work schedule to ensure weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual timetables are delivered. Undertake the majority of routine tasks with minimal management oversight. Coordinates and supervises the work of junior staff over time.

The overall work schedule that is planned will be made up of a number of complicated and sometimes conflicting elements requiring ongoing adjustment of plans.

Builds effective client relationships across the function's clients.

Adheres and contributes to the continuous improvement philosophy to ensure we continue to provide a valuable service focused upon client's needs.

Fully complies with all aspects of the confidentiality policy.

Person specification

Knowledge

To demonstrate an understanding of NHS structure, policy, functions and systems together with the aptitude to build on that knowledge.
To demonstrate an understanding of audit and corporate governance principles and practice together with the aptitude to build on that knowledge.

Skills

You must have an interest in becoming a Qualified Accountant / Chartered Auditor and ideally, your qualifications will be in areas such as Accounting/ Finance and Business, however other subjects will be considered.
Flexibility
Demonstrates strong analytical and research skills
Takes ownership of assigned tasks and adopts a pro-active approach
Ability to organise and prioritise workload
Produces accurate and timely work
Participates in meetings, providing information and ideas with clarity and persuasiveness
Ability to build relationships
Respects differences in people and values diversity of ideas
Actively seeks to enhance own expertise and knowledge
Demonstrates drive and commitment to self-development
Ability to travel to a range of sites and work in a range of environments.

Qualifications

Minimum / expected 2.2 Degree and 3 ALevel qualifications grade A-C or equivalent qualification (including English and Maths at GCSE GRADE 5 MINIMUM ) OR
Experience - High quality interpersonal skills, team spirit and a focus on achieving objectives. Demonstrable experience of working within a team and managing competing priorities.

Equal Opportunity

We encourage applicants from the following groups that are currently under-represented in our workforce black, Asian and minority ethnic, lesbian, gay, bisexual and Transgender (LGBTQ+), disabled, male and age 16-24.

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