Principal Auditor

Panoramic Associates; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 46,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency is seeking an experienced Principal Auditor to join the Internal Audit team at Richmond and Wandsworth. The role involves supporting the audit management team, preparing operational audit plans, and undertaking diverse audit assignments. Candidates should ideally have a minimum of 5 years of audit experience, preferably in the public sector, alongside supervisory skills and strong communication abilities. The position offers competitive salary and a hybrid working model with travel requirements.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years' audit experience, preferably in the public sector.
• Capable of independently handling a range of internal audits.
• Supervisory experience is preferred but not required for P04 grading.

Responsibilities

• Support the audit management team in delivering internal audit services.
• Prepare and deliver strategic and operational audit plans.
• Undertake and manage diverse audit assignments across various sectors.

Skills

Audit experience

Strong communication skills

Mentoring and guiding colleagues

Education

Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) or CCAB qualifications

Job description

Job Title: Principal Auditor
Local Authority: Richmond and Wandsworth
Salary: £46,206-£59,200 per annum (depending on P04/P05 grading)
Location: Primarily based in Wandsworth Town Hall, with occasional travel to Richmond and surrounding areas
Onsite: 2 days per week

Panoramic Associates are delighted to be supporting Richmond and Wandsworth with the recruitment of a substantive Principal Auditor to join their Internal Audit team.

Role

• Support the audit management team in administering the internal audit service, ensuring it delivers a cost‑effective solution that complies with audit standards, applicable codes, and legislation while achieving its objectives.
• Assist in preparing the strategic and annual operational audit plans for the Partnership.
• Help deliver the strategic and annual operational audit plans for each of the Partners.
• Support the audit management team in producing reports to the Internal Audit Shared Service Board, Senior Management and Audit Committee Members.
• Undertake diverse audit assignments (e.g., finance, construction projects, social care) and high‑level project work as directed by the audit management team. This includes preparing planning documents, liaising with clients, attending meetings, and undertaking all work to professional and quality standards within agreed time constraints and reporting deadlines.
• Lead and direct colleagues in the absence of the audit management team and lead on delivering the plan (subject to P05 grading).
• Undertake full line management responsibilities for no more than 2 auditors/trainee auditors as directed by the audit management team (subject to P05 grading).
• Provide complex advice to officers on internal controls, corporate governance, and risk management (subject to P05 grading).
• Participate in professional external groups, e.g., CIPFA, London Audit Group (subject to P05 grading).

Qualifications & Requirements

• Ideally a minimum of 5 years’ audit experience; some experience working with public sector or non‑profit clientele is essential.
• Ability to independently handle a wide range of internal audits and deliver high‑quality work.
• Supervisory experience preferred (e.g., leading audits, allocating tasks to junior staff); formal line management experience is not required unless applying for P05 grading.
• Preference for Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) or CCAB (e.g., ACCA, ICAEW) qualifications; part‑qualified acceptable.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, to engage confidently with directors and executive directors, scope work, and present recommendations.
• Credibility to hold your own in challenging discussions and instil confidence in clients.
• Ability to mentor and guide colleagues, demonstrating leadership in audit delivery.

Please click apply and Rebecca Martin/Ella Butler will reach out.