External Member (Audit Committee) - SBO09393

Scottish Borders Council; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local governing body in the United Kingdom is seeking two external members for its Audit Committee. This voluntary position requires attendance at six virtual meetings per year and a formal further education qualification in accountancy or related fields. The successful candidates will play a vital role in enhancing governance and internal control arrangements, contributing their skills and knowledge to committee discussions.

Qualifications

• Inquiry-minded and independent-minded individual.
• Ability to work effectively in a committee environment.
• Health and general wellbeing for regular meetings.

Responsibilities

• Attend 6 scheduled virtual meetings per year.
• Contribute to committee work and discussions.

Skills

Inter-personal skills

Effective listening skills

Ability to challenge auditors

Understanding of audit functions

Teamwork capability

Education

Further education qualification in accountancy

Job description

Overview

Are you looking for an opportunity to gain board level experience, or help shape Scottish Borders Council's governance and internal control arrangements?

Scottish Borders Council is seeking to appoint two external members to join its Audit Committee, due to the forthcoming end of appointments of the two current incumbents, to enhance the robustness and independence of the Committee fulfilling its purpose and functions. The Council is committed to the highest standards of corporate governance. The purpose of the Audit Committee is to provide an independent and high-level focus on the adequacy of governance, risk and control arrangements. To fulfil this purpose, it seeks assurance from the work of internal and external auditors and other audit bodies and from the Council's risk management arrangements.

Role Purpose

The successful applicant should be inquiry-minded and independent-minded and able to assist the work of the Audit Committee by personal skills, knowledge and experience gained in the financial and/or general management of a large business or public service organisation. The expected core skills and knowledge include:

Core Skills and Knowledge

• A good understanding of the audit committee's purpose, functions and place within the governance structures.
• An understanding of the role and purpose of internal audit and external audit functions.
• The ability and confidence to challenge and question auditors and senior management to probe matters relating to the governance, risk management and internal control of organisations.
• A high level of inter-personal skills including effective listening skills.
• The ability to work effectively with others in a committee environment, and build working relationships.
• Health and general wellbeing consistent with regular attendance at meetings, and contribution to the work of the Committee.

The duties of the external member will include attendance at 6 scheduled virtual meetings per year plus attendance at mandatory Audit Committee virtual learning and development sessions. The external member will follow the same code of conduct as elected members, and a register of interests will be maintained. The appointment will be for a fixed period to 31 October 2028. The appointment is on a voluntary basis, though any related expenses will be reimbursed.

Please apply online (MyJobScotland) setting out the skills, knowledge and personal qualities you can bring to the position. There will be a formal selection process once all applications and nominees have been received.

Essential

• A formal further education qualification in accountancy, internal audit, risk management, legal and governance, programme and project management, or IT systems and governance.

Informal Enquiries

Informal enquiries may be made to Jill Stacey by telephone on 07824 431003 or by email at [e-mail].