At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us as an Internal Auditor, conducting audits and ensuring effective governance.
- Company: Surrey County Council is a forward-thinking local authority committed to community improvement.
- Benefits: Enjoy 26 days holiday, hybrid work options, and lifestyle discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while developing your skills in a supportive team environment.
- Qualifications: No formal qualifications needed; just bring your motivation and willingness to learn!
- Other info: Part-time and term-time opportunities available; apply by 31/08/2025.
The predicted salary is between 30800 - 41000 £ per year.
Job Description
The starting salary for this role is £36,873 per annum, working 36 hours per week.
Are you self-motivated, able to develop excellent working relationships and looking for a career in a fast-paced and challenging profession? If so, we have the right job for you!
We are currently looking for an Internal Auditor to join our fantastic, forward-thinking Internal Audit service. You will be employed by Surrey County Council and the post will require some travel across Surrey, Sussex, and Brighton, as you will be playing a crucial role in ensuring delivery of our service and audits across the partnership, with the opportunity to work at all of our partner and client organisations
We currently work on a hybrid basis, with an expectation that everyone within our service will share time between working from one of our available offices and from home.
Rewards and Benefits:
- 26 days' holiday (prorated for part time staff), rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service
- Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
- An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
- Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year
- Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
- A generous local government salary related pension
- Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
- 2 paid volunteering days per year
- Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
About the Team
Orbis Internal Audit is a unique concept, providing Internal Audit and Counter Fraud services across Surrey County Council, East Sussex County Council and Brighton & Hove City Council. We are a service of 38 auditors, with a wide range of skills and experience. We are unique in that the entire service delivers work not only to their own sovereign authority but also to other partners, clients and customers, which maximises the impact, efficiency and effectiveness of our service and resources. This creates great opportunities for everyone within the service to learn and understand how different organisations work.
We are responsible for providing assurance to our clients in relation to internal control, governance, and risk management, supporting each organisation to achieve its overall objectives. We invest hugely in developing new Internal Auditors, both internally and externally by offering support through buddying, mentoring and coaching, on the job training, and access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities.
At our last external assessment, the Orbis Internal Audit service was reviewed against the Public Sector Internal Audit Standards (PSIAS) by the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors and were assessed as achieving the highest level of conformance available against the Standards and were deemed 'Excellent' in our reflection of the standards and our focus on performance, risk and adding value.
About the Role
As an Internal Auditor, you will assist in the delivery of audit and assurance activities in accordance with recognised professional standards (currently Public Sector Internal Audit Standards). These activities will include supporting more senior staff in conducting formal audit reviews or delivering reviews under the supervision of more senior audit staff. Formal audit reviews generally involve the documenting of systems and processes, identification and evaluation of risk and control, testing and analysis, report writing and agreement of appropriate actions, along with the provision of advice, support and challenge to clients on risk governance and internal control matters.
To support you we have developed a robust induction programme to give you access to the skills and training you will need to be successful in the role. You will need to possess the flexibility and skills to receive a hybrid induction.
Shortlisting Criteria
You do not need to have any formal audit or accounting qualification, nor will you need experience within an internal audit environment. You will be self-motivated and able to work on their own initiative and within a team. You will have a willingness to learn and will be able to demonstrate how your current skill set can transfer to the role of Internal Auditor.
The ability to undertake work to specified timeframes and budgets is crucial as is the ability to develop excellent client relationship skills remotely and in person.
Visits to client sites and other locations within the Orbis Partnership will be required to meet the needs of our partners and clients. You will need to demonstrate your ability and willingness to travel around the South-East.
You are not required to hold any formal audit or accounting qualification, nor will you need experience within an internal audit environment. Successful candidates will be self-motivated and able to work on their own initiative and within a team. You will have a willingness to learn and will be able to demonstrate how your current skill set can transfer to the role of Internal Auditor.
Applicants with transferable skills, including an understanding of risk management and corporate governance, excellent report writing skills and the ability to build excellent relationships with clients and stakeholders are encouraged to apply.
Application Process
To apply, alongside your CV, you will be asked to answer the following questions. Each response should aim to be approximately 300 words or within 1500 characters.
- Please give an example of a major risk specific to one of the services delivered by this Council and identify how the Council might seek to reduce the risk.
- What do you think has been the greatest technological advancement for councils in the last five years and why?
- Please outline three key values that an Internal Auditor should demonstrate. How would you apply these to your work?
As part of our shortlisting process, we might call you to discuss your application.
We also have part-time and term-time opportunities (paid on a pro-rata basis) available.
The job advert closes at 23:59 on 31/08/2025 with interviews planned to take place in-person on the 15th and 16th September at Woodhatch Place, Reigate.
Work Permits
We may be able to obtain a Work Permit for this post, but this is subject to meeting the requirements of the UK Border Agency's Points-based Immigration System. From 6 April 2011 the Home Office has placed a permanent restriction on the number of migrant workers that all Tier 2 (General) Sponsors can recruit. Due to the restrictions we cannot guarantee that individuals that meet the requirements of the Points-based Immigration System will be issued with clearance to obtain work permits.
Local Government Reorganisation
Surrey County Council is preparing for Local Government Reorganisation which will allow us to implement the Government led policy of devolution, which is all about giving more powers to local areas.
Currently, Surrey has a two-tier council system, with 11 district and borough councils and a county council, all responsible for different services. All these councils will be reorganised into a smaller number of new unitary councils which will come into effect in April 2027. At this point, this role will be transferred, with all existing terms and conditions intact into one of the new unitary councils.
Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents!
Our Commitment
Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applicants where:
- The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application
- The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form
Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role. We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.
Internal Auditor employer: Surrey County Council
Contact Detail:
Surrey County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Internal Auditor
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Public Sector Internal Audit Standards (PSIAS) as this role requires adherence to these standards. Understanding these guidelines will not only help you in your application but also demonstrate your commitment to the profession.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former internal auditors, especially those who have worked within local government. They can provide valuable insights into the role and the specific challenges faced in this environment, which can be beneficial during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your transferable skills in risk management and corporate governance. Think of examples from your past experiences where you've successfully navigated risks or improved processes, as these will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your ability to build relationships by preparing examples of how you've effectively collaborated with clients or stakeholders in previous roles. This is crucial for the Internal Auditor position, as strong client relationships are key to success.
We think you need these skills to ace Internal Auditor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities of an Internal Auditor. Familiarise yourself with the key skills required, such as risk management and report writing, and think about how your experiences align with these.
Tailor Your CV: Craft your CV to highlight relevant skills and experiences that relate to the Internal Auditor position. Emphasise your ability to work independently and in a team, as well as any transferable skills that demonstrate your readiness for this role.
Answer Application Questions Thoughtfully: When responding to the application questions, take your time to provide clear and concise answers. Use specific examples to illustrate your points, especially when discussing risks and technological advancements relevant to local councils.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread all your documents. Check for spelling and grammatical errors, and ensure that your responses are within the specified word limit. A polished application reflects your attention to detail.
How to prepare for a job interview at Surrey County Council
✨Understand the Role
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of an Internal Auditor. Familiarise yourself with key concepts like risk management, internal control, and governance. This will help you answer questions confidently and demonstrate your knowledge.
✨Showcase Transferable Skills
Even if you lack direct experience in auditing, highlight any transferable skills you possess. Discuss your ability to analyse data, write reports, and build relationships. Use specific examples from previous roles to illustrate how these skills can benefit the Internal Audit team.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions during the interview. Prepare by thinking about potential risks in local government services and how they could be mitigated. This shows your proactive approach and understanding of the challenges faced by the council.
✨Demonstrate a Willingness to Learn
Since the role does not require formal qualifications, emphasise your eagerness to learn and grow within the position. Discuss any relevant training or development opportunities you have pursued in the past, and express your enthusiasm for the robust induction programme offered.