Principal Trainee Auditor; Annex MIAA

Responsibilities

• Conduct audit assignments of a complex, ad‑hoc and non‑financial nature as well as routine internal audits.
• Apply risk management and governance principles to the planning and delivery of audit assignments at operational and strategic levels.
• Supervise, coach and develop junior staff.
• Respond to sensitive and complex queries from clients and staff, and support Audit Managers with operational requirements.
• Discuss contentious financial, control and governance issues with senior and non‑finance staff.
• Negotiate with external agencies and communicate audit findings and advice.
• Operate within procedures, broad policies and guidelines while exercising professional autonomy.
• Gather, test and evaluate evidence, prioritise competing tasks and produce recommendations for improvement.
• Oversee scheduling, coaching, training and assignment review of junior staff.
• Coordinate resources across competing priorities to meet agreed objectives.
• Adapt to diverse client environments and travel to multiple sites across the region.
• Use office‑based and client computer systems to evaluate systems and produce audit outputs, including reports for Audit Committees and Boards.
• Support Audit Managers in the operational management of allocated audit plans and in drawing up and monitoring budgets.
• Conduct research and develop approaches to emerging auditable areas, and propose significant changes to working practices.
• Lead complex system reviews of control environments, physical security and safeguarding of assets.
• Respond to client queries, investigate issues and report to client satisfaction.
• Plan and organise work schedules to meet weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual timetables.
• Build effective client relationships across the function’s client base.
• Fully comply with confidentiality policies and continuous improvement philosophy.

• Understanding of NHS structure, policy, functions and systems.
• Interest in becoming a Qualified Accountant or Chartered Auditor; qualifications in Accounting, Finance or Business preferred.
• Flexibility and adaptability to changing client environments.
• Strong analytical and research skills.
• Ownership of assigned tasks and a proactive approach to work.
• Ability to organise, prioritise workload and produce accurate, timely work.
• Participation in meetings with clarity and persuasiveness.
• Relationship‑building skills and respect for diversity of ideas.
• Drive and commitment to self‑development and continuous learning.
• Willingness and ability to travel to a range of sites.
• Minimum 2.2 Degree and 3 A‑Level qualifications (grades A‑C) or equivalent.
• Experience demonstrating strong interpersonal skills, teamwork and priority management.

• Support to complete professional audit/accountancy qualification (IIA, ACCA, CIPFA, etc.) with a full study package.
• Blended training programme: professional study, 1:1 coaching and soft‑skills training.
• Pay progression tied to training milestones, with a clear salaried band structure.
• Flexible/hybrid working model across four office locations.
• Generous pension scheme.

We are committed to equality and diversity. We value the contribution of individual talent, skills, knowledge and experience and aim for a workforce demography representative of the local community. Applicants from traditionally under‑represented groups are encouraged to apply.