Principal Auditor

Principal Auditor – West Berkshire Council

Are you an experienced internal auditor looking for a new challenge within a dynamic and supportive organisation? West Berkshire Council is seeking a Principal Auditor to join our Audit Service, reporting to the Audit Manager. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to the effective governance and assurance of a leading local authority.

As a Principal Auditor, you will play a key role in delivering a range of audit services, including:

• Conducting a range of diverse audits across the Council's services and functions, ensuring compliance with legislation, policies and good practice, and identifying areas for improvement.
• Providing expert advice and guidance to managers on risk management, control processes, and governance.
• Collaborating with the Audit Manager to develop and manage the delivery of the Annual Audit Plan.
• Assisting in the preparation of Internal Audit Update reports for senior officers and members.
• Reviewing audit assignments of other members of the team, providing support and guidance throughout the audit process.
• Contributing to special projects and investigations as required.

• Considerable experience in internal audit, ideally within a local authority or public sector environment.
• Sound knowledge of audit principles, practices and techniques.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to assess risks and identify control weaknesses.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships at all levels.
• Self‑motivated and able to effectively plan, manage and prioritise own work.
• Relevant professional qualification (e.g. CIIA, CCAB) is required.

• Flexible working wherever possible between the hours of 07.00‑21.00.
• Hybrid working, 40% office.
• Access to a wide range of training and development opportunities.
• Generous Local Government pension scheme.
• Family‑friendly policies.
• A range of local discounts.
• Wellbeing Programme including Employee Assistance Programme and employee benefits.
• Generous annual leave entitlement starting at 29 days per annum (plus public holidays), rising by an additional 5 days after 5 years’ service.

The Council supports Equal Opportunity of employment, and positively encourages applications from people who fall within any of the nine protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.

Please complete a short online application form and upload your CV. If you would like to learn more about this role, please contact Julie Gillhespey, Audit Manager, on (Ext 2455) or email julie

This role has been identified as public facing in accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016; the requirement to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in English applies.

This privacy notice applies to job applicants applying for vacancies with West Berkshire Council: