Trainee Auditor

Kirklees Metropolitan Council; Greater London; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

The South West London Audit Partnership (SWLAP) invites applications for a Graduate Audit Trainee to support audit assignments across five councils (Richmond, Wandsworth, Kingston, Merton and Sutton). You will gain hands-on experience in testing, fieldwork and reporting while working with experienced auditors in a public sector environment.

We offer development toward a recognised internal audit qualification, with funding for study, mentoring and practical experience.

Qualifications

• Degree at upper second-class honours (2:1) or above.
• Strong analytical, research, critical thinking and communication skills.
• Experience gathering, interpreting and evaluating information from multiple sources.

Responsibilities

• Support the delivery of audit engagements across council services and schools, undertaking testing and analysis.
• Assist in planning, fieldwork and reporting activities across service areas and partner councils.
• Liaise with clients, attend scoping and end-of-audit meetings.
• Plan and organise work to high professional standards within deadlines.
• Extract and analyse data from business systems using audit techniques and digital tools.
• Maintain accurate audit records and support administration of assignments.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Data interpretation

Microsoft 365

Power Platform

SQL

Python/R

Power BI

Education

2:1 degree or higher

Job description

Job Title: Audit Trainee

Salary Range: £31,515 – £44,304 per annum

Contract Type: 12 Months Fixed Termwith potential of going permanent.

Full Time (36Hours)

Location: Wandsworth Town Hall or Partner Location

Other essential information: Working in the Office 3-5 days a week

Start your career with the South West London Audit Partnership (SWLAP), anambitious and forward-thinking internal audit team serving five London Boroughs (Richmond, Wandsworth, Kingston, Merton, and Sutton). We play a key role in helping local authorities deliver high-quality services to residents by providingindependent advice, promoting good governance, andsupporting continuous improvement. You’ll gain exposure to a diverse range of services and work alongside experienced professionals who arecommitted to developing your skills and career.

We are seeking a motivated Graduate Audit Trainee with strong analytical, communication and problem-solving skills andan interest in public sector auditing. As a Graduate Audit Trainee, you will become an integral member of our team,supporting audit assignments across all five councils and gaining valuable hands-on experience in audit testing, fieldwork and reporting. Working closely with experienced auditors, you will develop a broadunderstanding of local government services while developing the analytical, communication and problem-solving skills needed for a successful career in audit. SWLAP iscommitted to embracing innovation and technology in audit. You will have opportunities to work with data analytics, digital tools and emerging technologies to help deliver efficient and insightful audit work.

We are committed to supporting professional development and will support the successful candidate to work towards a recognised professional qualification in internal audit. The Partnership will fund an approved course of professional study and provide mentoring and practical experience to support your development and progression within the profession. You will support both our clients and colleagues, helping to ensure that audit work is delivered to a high standard, while contributing to our commitment to continuous improvement and upholding the vision and values of SWLAP.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Support the delivery of audit engagements across council services and schools, undertaking testing, analysis and other audit work under the guidance of senior team members.
• Assist in planning, fieldwork and reporting activities across a range of service areas and partner councils. Liaise with clients, attend meetings, including scoping meetings and end of audit meetings.
• Plan and organise your work to high professional and quality standards within agreed time constraints and reporting deadlines.
• Extract and analyse data from a range of business systems, using appropriate audit techniques and digital tools tosupport audit testing and assurance work.
• Liaise with senior management, officers, and other parties where required.
• Maintain accurate audit records andsupport the effective administration of audit assignments.

Skills Requirements

To be successful in this role, you will hold a degree,at upper second-class honours (2:1) and above, andbe able to demonstrate experience, that has enabled you to develop strong analytical, research, critical thinking and communication skills. You will be able to gather, interpret and evaluate information from a variety of sources and reach evidence-based conclusions. You will be able to demonstrate the following:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to gather, interpret and evaluate information from a variety of sources.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present findings clearly.
• Good organisational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• A high level of attention to detail and acommitment to producing accurate, high-quality work.
• The ability to build effective working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels.
• Confidence in working with data and information, including proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications. An interest in using data, technology and innovative approaches to solve problems and improve the way audit work is delivered. Experience of using Power Platform tools, SQL, Python/R, or visualisation tools such as Power BI would be advantageous.
• Curiosity and a willingness to learn and develop technical knowledge of audit, risk management and internal controls.

This opportunity would suit an analytical, curious, motivated andenthusiastic individual who is keen to develop a rewarding career in public sector audit and make a meaningful contribution to improving services for local communities.

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. The successful candidate will be required to demonstrate their right to work in the UK before commencing employment.

Indicative Recruitment Timeline

• Closing Date: Sunday 20th September 2026
• Shortlisting: w/c 21st September 2026
• Interviews: TBA

Richmond & Wandsworth Better Service Partnership are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, please let us know.

We are alsocommitted to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers toshare thiscommitment. Some posts may be exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to these posts will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactoryresponse to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

We offer a wide range of benefits designed to attract, develop, and reward our employees such as 40 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays), flexible working and a generous pension plan.

Company: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Salary: £31,515 – £44,304

Location: London (South), London (Greater)

Sector: Public and Third sector

Sector: Regional Bodies

Job Role: Auditor