Principal Auditor

Job description

Job responsibilities

Communication is central to the job and is built upon the provision and receipt of routine, complex and sensitive information of a confidential nature. This will require tact and persuasion as well as a deep appreciation and understanding of complex client risks, NHS/Wider public sector systems and existing guidance. Discussions with senior and non-finance staff forms a substantial element of the job often concerning contentious and complicated financial, control and governance issues at a corporate level. Communication will involve negotiating with external agencies. The job involves significant involvement in persuading and negotiating the reasoning behind recommendations with senior staff, up to and including Board level, across a range of disciplines in order to arrive at an agreed position. Communication of audit findings and advice will be delivered through the drafting of discussion documents, reports and formal presentations.

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 functions 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 functions clients

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

Fully complies with all aspects of the confidentiality policy.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• 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
• PART QUALIFIED CIA/ PIIA plus knowledge, experience and expertise which could be in audit (either internal, external, clinical or some form of specialist compliance/assurance function) or a financial role. Experience could also be either in a general assurance role or a relevant specialist area experience e.g. capital, IM&T, consultancy, fraud. plus experience knowledge and skills OR
• Part qualified (Diploma Level) professional accountancy (CCAB) or qualified technician accountant (MAAT) plus experience knowledge and skills and experience, which could be in audit (either internal, external, clinical or some form of specialist compliance/assurance function) or a financial role. Experience could also be either in a general assurance role or a relevant specialist area experience e.g. capital, IM&T, consultancy, fraud plus experience knowledge and skills

Experience

Essential

• High quality interpersonal skills, team spirit and a focus on achieving objectives.
• Experience of working within a team and managing competing priorities.

Knowledge

Essential

• 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

Essential

• 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. o Flexibility o Demonstrates strong analytical and research skills o Takes ownership of assigned tasks and adopts a pro-active approach o Ability to organise and prioritise workload o Produces accurate and timely work E o Participates in meetings, providing information and ideas with clarity and persuasiveness o Ability to build relationships o Respects differences in people and values diversity of ideas o Actively seeks to enhance own expertise and knowledge o Demonstrates drive and commitment to self-development

Other

Essential

• Ability to travel to a range of sites and work in a range of environments.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Regatta Place

Summers Road, Brunswick Business Park

Liverpool

L3 4BL

Employer's website

https://www.liverpoolft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)