Local Audit Office - Controller of Local Audit

Location

Birmingham, Leeds

The Government is taking bold steps to overhaul the local audit system, leading the most transformational reform programme in over a decade. We are seeking to recruit a Controller of Local Audit to lead the establishment and running of the Local Audit Office (LAO) as an arm’s-length body and drive forward the wider programme of reform to the local audit system.

The English local audit system covers hundreds of public bodies that deliver essential services and manage public funds, including local authorities, police, fire services, NHS bodies, national parks and smaller authorities like parish councils. Around 600 local bodies must publish audited accounts, while 10,000 smaller authorities follow a tailored assurance regime to ensure transparency, accountability, and effective use of public funds.

However, the current system is fragmented and faces capacity challenges, resulting in significant backlogs that have triggered two consecutive disclaimers on the Whole of Government Accounts, a loss of public trust and undermined confidence in public accountability.

The LAO is a new statutory and independent body to be established by autumn 2026 to oversee and co‑ordinate the auditing of local public authorities to promote effective and timely local audit. The LAO will be instrumental in overhauling the local audit system to put the system back onto a secure and reliable footing. It will play a crucial role in ensuring that reforms are effectively implemented to provide better value for taxpayers and support economic growth.

The LAO’s roles and responsibilities include the appointment of auditors for local authorities (and other local bodies e.g. police and fire authorities), responsibility for the Code of Audit Practice including delivering training, quality oversight of local audit including overseeing an inspection programme, enforcement and supervision, publishing national insight reports on local audit health, and overseeing professional bodies regarding their remit for the qualification, registration and conduct of local auditors.

This is a high‑profile leadership role within a new public‑sector organisation at the centre of the local audit system.

As Controller, you will lead the establishment of the Local Audit Office (LAO) and drive reform to strengthen local audit, improve assurance, and rebuild public trust in local government.

You will oversee the delivery of the LAO’s statutory functions and provide visible, public‑facing leadership. Acting as an ambassador for the organisation, you will represent the LAO across the UK and internationally, shaping the future of local audit and influencing the wider audit and regulatory landscape.

You will set a clear strategic direction for the LAO, ensuring it operates effectively from inception while contributing to wider system reform. This includes restoring the effectiveness of local audit as an early warning system and supporting improvement across local bodies.

You will lead organisational and cultural development to build a new organisation, bringing together people from diverse professional backgrounds and different system organisations. You will establish the LAO’s values, foster an inclusive and high‑performing culture, and ensure the organisation attracts and retains high‑calibre talent.

The role requires strong leadership of complex delivery, including large‑scale procurement and engagement with the audit market. You will build and maintain effective relationships with audit firms, other regulators and stakeholders, working collaboratively to achieve the LAO’s objectives.

While operating independently, the LAO will work closely with partners across government, local bodies and the audit system to deliver meaningful and lasting reform.

We are seeking an experienced, high‑performing leader with a track record of leading (ideally establishing) large, complex organisations at senior executive or board level
. You will be responsible for establishing and leading the LAO, setting its vision, strategy and operating model, and ensuring effective day‑to‑day delivery. You…