Senior Auditor (Audit Services Group)

Are you an auditor who thrives on making a difference and is passionate about ensuring public services are run properly for the people of Scotland? If so, we can offer you the chance to take an exciting new step in your career with the opportunity to lead financial audit work of organisations across Scotland’s public sector, including the Scottish Government, NHS bodies, councils, and colleges.

We have two Senior Auditor roles available across our Audit Services group.

Overall purpose of the role

You will conduct and manage financial audit work. You will make audit judgements and oversee the work of the team to deliver our audits to a high standard. You’ll engage with clients and stakeholders to help support improvement and focus upon what’s important.

What you will be doing

You’ll be inspiring with your ability to:

• Make professional, evidence-based judgements and identify potential recommendations.
• Work with colleagues to decide the breadth and depth of auditing required in proportion to the circumstances, including the audit methodology.
• Take lead responsibility for planning and delivering audits or key audit areas, to time, cost, and quality (depending on the size and risk-profile of the audit).
• Draft clear, authoritative, concise audit outputs.
• Support senior leadership in promoting our work externally.
• Establish and maintain relationships with officers at audited bodies and appropriate stakeholders to support the effective delivery of audit work.
• Coordinate the work of staff across the audit to manage peak period workloads.
• Undertake supportive conversations with your team and positively challenge where necessary, including providing on-the-job training and coaching.
• Support the development of Audit Scotland’s work programme by sharing intelligence whether based on local audit knowledge, monitoring key public sector issues or by developing stand-alone briefings.
• Contribute to the management of Audit Scotland by participating in and contributing to corporate activities.

Person specification – specific knowledge and experience

Essential:

• You are a fully qualified accountant (CIPFA, ICAS, Other CCAB, or equivalent) or exam qualified and awaiting logbook completion before the end of September 2025.
• You have demonstrable external audit experience – preferably in a public sector environment.
• You will have practical experience of delivering audits to time, quality, and cost (i.e., tight deadlines).
• You can deal confidently, and establish good relationships, with stakeholders.
• You think laterally and creatively to research and analyse complex problems.
• You use your judgement to present balanced findings and persuasive recommendations.
• You know how to bring out the best in a team (coaching/supervising/motivating to help them achieve their full potential).

Desirable:

• Experience of the public sector including knowledge of public finances and policy.
• You have digital ICT audit experience.

*S = Shortlisting criteria I = Interview criteria A = Assessment criteria

Interested? Next Steps:

Download the role profile for detailed role information.

Click apply to submit an application. If you wish, you can also share your CV. However, please note that due to the volume of applications, we cannot guarantee CVs will be screened alongside your application form, so ensure your application form includes all necessary information to demonstrate you meet the criteria. If you require an alternative application method under grounds of a reasonable adjustment, please contact the HR team.

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 13th August at midnight.

Interviews are scheduled for w/c 1st September and will include a presentation and written assessment.

About Audit Scotland

Our vision is that public money is well spent to meet the needs of Scotland\’s people. We support the Auditor General for Scotland and the Accounts Commission to provide independent assurance on the management and expenditure of public money, covering about £57bn of public spending, nearly 300 public sector accounts, and services affecting all communities in Scotland.

We value our organisational culture based on equality, independence, innovation, integrity, and respect. We employ around 340 staff across Scotland, working from our main offices in Edinburgh and Glasgow, and regional offices.

We offer a rewarding work environment, professional development opportunities, and benefits such as 42 days of annual leave, a generous pension scheme, personal development allowances, and flexible working hours. We have been recognized as a top workplace in Scotland and the UK.

Diversity and Inclusion

We value diverse perspectives and are committed to increasing workforce representation and supporting minority groups. We are a disability confident employer.

Reasonable Adjustments

Our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible. If you need adjustments during the process, please specify in your application. Contact details are provided for further assistance.

How we work

We support flexible working arrangements, including working from home, from the office, or at audit sites across Scotland. We trust our staff to manage their work to achieve the best results while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. This role can also be considered on a job share basis. For more information, see our Job Sharing Guide.

Other Conditions

• We minimize environmental impact according to government policies.
• We uphold equality, fairness, and diversity principles.
• We ensure a safe working environment and adhere to health and safety standards.
• We protect and manage information appropriately.
• We maintain independence and political neutrality.

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