Interim Head of Audit

Vivid Resourcing Ltd; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Vivid Resourcing Ltd on behalf of a London local authority seeks an experienced Interim Head of Internal Audit, Anti-Fraud & Risk to lead the council's internal audit, anti-fraud and risk management functions. This high-profile statutory post requires close engagement with senior leadership, Members and the Audit Committee.

You will act as the council's principal advisor on audit, risk and counter-fraud matters, delivering strategic leadership and assurance across the organisation.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in a Head of Internal Audit or senior audit leadership role in local government.
• Qualified accountant (CMIIA/CCAB) or equivalent audit qualification.
• Strong knowledge of PSIAS and GIAS standards.
• Proven experience leading counter-fraud strategies and complex investigations.
• Ability to engage with elected Members, Audit Committee and Corporate Leadership Team.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership of internal audit, anti-fraud and risk services to ensure compliant assurance across the council.
• Develop the audit strategy, annual plan and provide the annual audit opinion.
• Manage audit and investigation units to meet service plans and objectives.
• Oversee contracted externally provided audit elements and outsourced partners.
• Lead counter-fraud and corruption strategy and oversee complex investigations.
• Advise on governance, internal control and value for money across services.
• Maintain relationships with external auditors, Members, Audit Committee, law enforcement and government bodies.

Skills

Public sector audit

Risk management

Counter-fraud strategy

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Education

CMIIA

CCAB qualification

Audit/accountancy qualification

Job description

Must have previous Local Authority experience

The Role

We are recruiting on behalf of a London local authority for an experienced Interim Head of Internal Audit, Anti-Fraud & Risk to lead the council's internal audit, anti-fraud and risk management functions. This is a high-profile, statutory post requiring close engagement with senior leadership, Members and the Audit Committee, acting as the council's principal advisor on audit, risk and counter-fraud matters.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership of the internal audit, anti-fraud and risk services, ensuring delivery of effective and compliant assurance arrangements across the council and any associated entities
• Fulfil the statutory responsibilities of the Head of Internal Audit, including development of the audit strategy, annual audit plan and provision of the annual audit opinion
• Manage the audit and investigation units, ensuring service plans and objectives are met across the borough
• Manage contracts for any externally provided elements of the internal audit service, and oversee outsourced audit partners
• Lead the development and implementation of the council's counter-fraud and corruption strategy, overseeing complex investigations
• Act as the organisation's lead on risk management, supporting the Corporate Leadership Team in identifying and managing strategic risks
• Provide expert advice on governance, internal control and value for money across all services
• Maintain strong relationships with external auditors, Members, the Audit Committee, law enforcement and government bodies

About You

• Significant experience in a Head of Internal Audit, Chief Internal Auditor or senior audit leadership role, within local government.
• CMIIA, CCAB-qualified accountant, or equivalent recognised audit/accountancy qualification
• Strong working knowledge of the Public Sector Internal Audit Standards (PSIAS) / Global Internal Audit Standards (GIAS)
• Proven experience managing counter-fraud and corruption strategy and complex investigations
• Confident operating at a senior level with elected Members, Audit Committees and Corporate Leadership Teams
• Available for an immediate or short-notice start