Job summary
We are looking for an NHS Trust NED (potentially an Audit Committee Chair) to be the Independent Partner Member on our Audit Committee.
The Audit Committee members will be expected to assist the Committee in the following tasks:
Oversee the appointment and performance management of the external auditors, recommending to the Board the appointment, re-appointment or removal of the auditors
Bring independent financial acumen to the work of the audit committee across its governance, risk management, assurance and internal control functions
Provide challenge to the audit committee to ensure that it is effective in its role and that robust internal control systems are in place and operating effectively
Determine the approach and attitude to providing effective oversight of risks and ensure there are prudent controls to assist in managing risk
Main duties of the job
The Audit Committee is accountable to the Board and provides an independent and objective view of the NHS GM's compliance with its statutory responsibilities. The committee is responsible for arranging appropriate internal and external audit.
The role of the audit committee is to seek assurance that financial reporting and internal control principles are applied, and to maintain an appropriate relationship with the auditors, both internal and external.
The audit committee provides assurance to the board about the reliability and robustness of internal control processes. This includes the power to review the work of any other committee, including in relation to quality, and to provide assurance to the board with regard to internal controls.
The Audit Committee provides high level oversight to ensure adequate and effective arrangements are in place relating to financial and safeguarding reporting, internal and external audit, systems of internal control, risk management arrangements and compliance with laws and regulations.
The Committee oversees the appointment and performance of the external auditor and reviews audit findings, ensuring the integrity of financial statements and the annual report.
About us
NHS Greater Manchester (NHS GM) is the Integrated Care Board for Greater Manchester, and is responsible for making decisions about health services across Greater Manchester and in the ten boroughs and cities.
The creation of NHS Greater Manchester, and our new statutoryGreater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership (Greater Manchester ICP)on 1st July 2022 gives health and care partners the opportunity to accelerate the journey to improve our population's health and wellbeing we have been on for the last five years, and so play our part in delivering the city region's vision.
This involves working closely with all partners and communities who can contribute to improving health and tackling inequalities.
The outcome will be a city region where everyone has a fair opportunity to live a good life; has improved health and wellbeing; experiences high quality care and support where and when they need it and where we all work together to make a difference now and for the future.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Audit Committee members will be expected to assist the Committee in the following tasks:
- Oversee the appointment and performance management of the external auditors, recommending to the Board the appointment, re-appointment or removal of the auditors
- Bring independent financial acumen to the work of the audit committee across its governance, risk management, assurance and internal control functions
- Provide challenge to the audit committee to ensure that it is effective in its role and that robust internal control systems are in place and operating effectively
- Determine the approach and attitude to providing effective oversight of risks and ensure there are prudent controls to assist in managing risk
- Set an integrated agenda relevant to the current operating environment, taking full account of the important strategic issues it faces and aligning with the annual planner for the board and other committees
- Support a constructive dynamic within the committee, enabling grounded debate with contributions from all, ensuring the committee sees itself as a team, has the right balance and diversity of skills, knowledge and perspectives, and the confidence to challenge on all aspects of the agenda
- Contribute to the committees independence as a source of assurance to the board and contributing to the committee in establishing effective and ethical decision-making processes
- Ensure safeguards are in place to allow staff and other individuals, where relevant, to raise, in confidence, concerns about possible improprieties in matters of financial reporting and control, procurement and use of resources. These processes should also reassure individuals raising concerns that they will be protected from potential negative repercussions.
- Approve the external auditor engagement fee and terms.
- Consider the external auditor management letter and reports including material weaknesses relating to accounting and internal control.
- Consider and comment on annual internal audit plans and strategies and monitor effectiveness and impact of its work.
- Consider any significant issues arising from internal or external audit activity and ensure that appropriate responsive action is taken and impacts of actions are monitored.
- Consider and comment on the annual report and financial statements prepared by the organisation to ensure transparency and integrity.
- Approving annual statements to be included in the annual report concerning governance, internal controls, and risk management.
- Monitor and review the effectiveness of the Board Assurance Framework.
- Monitor and review the effective development and management of the risk management policies, and continuously monitor and review existing and emerging strategic risks, including undertaking deep dives of identified strategic risks.
- Ensure that effective management strategies, policies and plans are in place to manage statutory and regulatory compliance, and that controls are adequate to prevent fraud and corruption.
- Developing and reviewing the Committees effectiveness and annual cycle of business.
- Conducting any other audit related responsibilities as may from time to time be allocated by the Board.
- To participate fully in the discharge of all Audit Committee functions, as set out in the Audit Committees terms of reference and the constitution
Job description
Job responsibilities
Audit Committee members will be expected to assist the Committee in the following tasks:
- Oversee the appointment and performance management of the external auditors, recommending to the Board the appointment, re-appointment or removal of the auditors
- Bring independent financial acumen to the work of the audit committee across its governance, risk management, assurance and internal control functions
- Provide challenge to the audit committee to ensure that it is effective in its role and that robust internal control systems are in place and operating effectively
- Determine the approach and attitude to providing effective oversight of risks and ensure there are prudent controls to assist in managing risk
- Set an integrated agenda relevant to the current operating environment, taking full account of the important strategic issues it faces and aligning with the annual planner for the board and other committees
- Support a constructive dynamic within the committee, enabling grounded debate with contributions from all, ensuring the committee sees itself as a team, has the right balance and diversity of skills, knowledge and perspectives, and the confidence to challenge on all aspects of the agenda
- Contribute to the committees independence as a source of assurance to the board and contributing to the committee in establishing effective and ethical decision-making processes
- Ensure safeguards are in place to allow staff and other individuals, where relevant, to raise, in confidence, concerns about possible improprieties in matters of financial reporting and control, procurement and use of resources. These processes should also reassure individuals raising concerns that they will be protected from potential negative repercussions.
- Approve the external auditor engagement fee and terms.
- Consider the external auditor management letter and reports including material weaknesses relating to accounting and internal control.
- Consider and comment on annual internal audit plans and strategies and monitor effectiveness and impact of its work.
- Consider any significant issues arising from internal or external audit activity and ensure that appropriate responsive action is taken and impacts of actions are monitored.
- Consider and comment on the annual report and financial statements prepared by the organisation to ensure transparency and integrity.
- Approving annual statements to be included in the annual report concerning governance, internal controls, and risk management.
- Monitor and review the effectiveness of the Board Assurance Framework.
- Monitor and review the effective development and management of the risk management policies, and continuously monitor and review existing and emerging strategic risks, including undertaking deep dives of identified strategic risks.
- Ensure that effective management strategies, policies and plans are in place to manage statutory and regulatory compliance, and that controls are adequate to prevent fraud and corruption.
- Developing and reviewing the Committees effectiveness and annual cycle of business.
- Conducting any other audit related responsibilities as may from time to time be allocated by the Board.
- To participate fully in the discharge of all Audit Committee functions, as set out in the Audit Committees terms of reference and the constitution
Person Specification
NHS Trust NED
Essential
- Previous relevant experience
Potentially an Audit Committee Chair
Desirable
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a medium/large organisation at a senior level, with relevant and recent experience in the work of an audit committee.
- Suitable experience in risk management, IT, and data management, or other relevant discipline.
- Understanding of any relevant legislation and rules for governing a public sector organisation.
- Understanding of corporate governance and risk management.
- General knowledge of systems of internal control and good governance
Person Specification
NHS Trust NED
Essential
- Previous relevant experience
Potentially an Audit Committee Chair
Desirable
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a medium/large organisation at a senior level, with relevant and recent experience in the work of an audit committee.
- Suitable experience in risk management, IT, and data management, or other relevant discipline.
- Understanding of any relevant legislation and rules for governing a public sector organisation.
- Understanding of corporate governance and risk management.
- General knowledge of systems of internal control and good governance
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.