Interim Principal Auditor

Vivid Resourcing Ltd; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Vivid Resourcing Ltd. seeks an experienced internal auditor to lead risk-based reviews for a UK local government council. You will deliver audits across financial, operational and systems areas, ensuring independent assurance on governance and internal controls.

The role requires strong analytical, report-writing and communication skills, with the ability to engage senior management and oversee junior colleagues. Prior Local Government audit experience is essential.

Qualifications

• Proven internal audit experience in Local Government.
• Strong knowledge of local authority financial controls and governance.
• Experience leading audits from planning to reporting.
• Excellent analytical, report-writing and communication skills.
• Ability to engage confidently with senior management.
• Desirable professional audit qualification (CMIIA, CIA or CCAB).

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver the Council's risk-based internal audit programme.
• Undertake financial, operational and systems audits.
• Identify control weaknesses and make practical recommendations.
• Prepare audit reports and present findings to senior managers.
• Agree and monitor management action plans.
• Undertake follow-up audits.
• Support and supervise other audit team members.
• Advise managers on governance, risk and internal control matters.

Skills

Analytical skills

Report writing

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Auditing experience

Education

Professional audit qualification

Job description

Role purpose

To lead and deliver risk-based internal audit reviews, providing independent assurance on the Council's governance, risk management and internal control arrangements.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and deliver the Council's risk-based internal audit programme.
• Undertake financial, operational and systems audits.
• Identify control weaknesses and make practical recommendations.
• Prepare audit reports and present findings to senior managers.
• Agree and monitor management action plans.
• Undertake follow-up audits.
• Support and supervise other members of the audit team.
• Advise managers on governance, risk and internal control matters.

Essential requirements

• Proven internal audit experience, specifically Local Government.
• Strong knowledge of local authority financial controls and governance.
• Experience managing audits independently from planning to reporting.
• Excellent analytical, report-writing and communication skills.
• Ability to engage confidently with senior management.
• Relevant professional audit qualification desirable (CMIIA, CIA or CCAB).

Key requirement: An experienced, hands‑on auditor who can quickly integrate into the team and deliver audits with minimal supervision