Principal Auditor in Leeds

Principal Auditor in Leeds

Leeds Temporary 49112 - 61390 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead impactful audits and drive improvements in risk management and internal controls.
  • Company: Join Yorkshire Water, a vital service provider for over 5.4 million people.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, wellness days, and a fantastic benefits package.
  • Other info: Flexible working options available to support work-life balance.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in the community while developing your career in a dynamic environment.
  • Qualifications: Qualified audit professional with experience in delivering high-quality audits.

The predicted salary is between 49112 - 61390 £ per year.

  • Internal Auditor
  • We offer a competitive salary, depending on experience (£49,112 - £61,390).
  • Annual incentive related bonus (£1000 maximum bonus opportunity for the performance year).
  • Attractive pension scheme (up to 12% company contribution).
  • Development opportunities in line with the Principal Auditor progression plan.
  • 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays - plus 2 extra wellness days!
  • Life assurance cover of 4 times pensionable salary.
  • A great benefits package - choose from health cash plan scheme, critical illness insurance, dental insurance, life assurance flex and partner cover.
  • Retail savings scheme.
  • Online GP service, cycle to work scheme, gym membership discounts and many more!

Location

Leeds Valley Park - Hybrid Working (two days in the office a week - Leeds).

Work type

Fixed term contract until end of July 2027 - 37 hours per week, Monday - Friday.

  • We have an exciting opportunity for a
  • Internal Auditor to join the

Audit team at Yorkshire Water and be a part of helping Yorkshire Water to provide the best service to our customers.

Could this be you?

What we do!

Everyone has an idea of what a water company does.

Here in Yorkshire, we make sure that over 5.4 million people living in the region and the millions of people who visit our region each year, can rely on our services, and have clean and safe drinking water on tap and that their wastewater is taken away.

But for us, it's so much more than this.

We look after communities, protect the environment, and plan to look after Yorkshire's water, today, tomorrow 24/7, 365 days a year.

We provide essential water and wastewater services to every corner of the Yorkshire region, and play a key role in the region's health, wellbeing, and prosperity.

New environmental legislation, unprecedented levels of investment and changing expectations from customers means that this is an exciting time to discover opportunities within the water industry.

The Finance team are a key part of how we plan to meet the changing expectations of customers and regulators.

Step into a role where your insight drives real impact.

Lead high-value audits, influence key decisions, and shape stronger risk and control frameworks across the business.

Working with senior stakeholders, you'll deliver meaningful insights, champion continuous improvement, and use data and technology to elevate audit from assurance to true strategic partnership.

Where you fit in!

As our Internal Auditor you will

  • Plan, scope, and deliver complex internal audits and reviews (including programme audits) in line with time, cost, and quality standards (IIA, BEIS, ISO)
  • Lead, oversee, and peer review less complex audits and investigations
  • Consolidate audit findings and report insights to the Manager of Internal Audit
  • Act as a trusted advisor by delivering audit and advisory support in response to ad hoc business requests
  • Liaise with other assurance providers to understand and coordinate broader assurance coverage
  • Build and maintain strong relationships across departments, collaborating with subject matter experts where required
  • Promote effective risk management and the development of robust internal control frameworks
  • Support the Internal Audit Leadership Team in achieving departmental objectives and continuously improving audit services
  • Identify opportunities to enhance efficiency within Internal Audit by leveraging data and technology for insight-driven audits
  • Contribute to the development and updating of audit policies and procedures to ensure compliance with professional standards and quality frameworks
  • Develop a strong understanding of business objectives, risks, and priorities while maintaining independent stakeholder relationships
  • Coach and support junior or non-audit staff to drive engagement, performance, and professional development
  • Demonstrate and promote agreed organisational culture and behaviours across the team
  • Support delivery of the Department's Business Plan and Performance Excellence (PEx) scorecard
  • Contribute to business process improvements and continuous improvement initiatives across functions
  • Ensure compliance with regulatory, statutory, and organisational requirements, including Health & Safety
  • Promote and support risk management processes, collaborating with Risk Champions to identify and capture controls
  • Demonstrate awareness and understanding of business performance at both departmental and organisational levels
  • Uphold company values, behaviours, and high ethical standards at all times
  • Recognise and celebrate strong performance while addressing underperformance constructively
  • Build commercial awareness and proactively identify inefficiencies in internal audit processes

What skills & qualifications you will need

  • A motivated and credible audit professional with strong integrity and a passion for adding value
  • Professionally qualified in internal audit
  • Proven experience delivering high-quality internal audits in a fast-paced environment
  • Able to manage multiple priorities while maintaining excellent standards
  • A confident, independent thinker who can identify issues and drive practical solutions
  • Strong understanding of business operations, risk management, and controls
  • Skilled at building relationships and influencing senior stakeholders
  • An excellent communicator with clear, impactful written and verbal skills
  • A supportive team player who enjoys coaching and developing others
  • Experience across major projects or complex audit environments
  • Knowledge of investigations, including fraud or irregularity
  • Ability to use data and analytics to generate insight-led audit outcomes
  • Experience within regulated sectors (e. g. utilities)
  • Comfortable working within co-sourced audit models
  • Experience collaborating with subject matter experts to deliver audit plans

Although we operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, it's important to us that we support flexible working patterns and job share options (when we can), to help you make the best of both your work and home life.

We know that juggling childcare responsibilities or getting that ideal work/life balance isn't always easy!

Do we sound like your cup of tea?

The closing date for this advert is the 30th September 2026.

If successful for the role, you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks that will include a Basic Disclosure Check, carried out through a Third-Party Company, prior to commencing employment.

Depending on the role, you may also be required to go through the security vetting process for either a Counter Terrorist Check or Security Check clearance.

All our roles are subject to a medical questionnaire, and further medicals when required.

We are committed to removing barriers and ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to everyone.

We offer a range of adjustments to make your application experience as comfortable and straightforward as possible.

If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that requires changes to the recruitment process, please include this information in your application.

We will then discuss any reasonable adjustments required.

Kelda Group reserve the right to close this position before the published closing date, should the need occur.

We therefore advise that you complete and submit your application as soon as possible.

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Principal Auditor in Leeds employer: Kelda Group Limited 0000411940 - Kelda Group Limited

At Yorkshire Water, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package that includes a generous pension scheme and annual bonuses. Our supportive work culture fosters employee growth through development opportunities aligned with our Ecologist progression plan, while our hybrid working model allows for a balanced work-life integration in the vibrant West Yorkshire region. Join us in making a meaningful impact on the environment and communities we serve, all while enjoying the perks of flexible working arrangements and a commitment to employee wellbeing.

K

Contact Details:

Kelda Group Limited 0000411940 - Kelda Group Limited Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal Auditor in Leeds

Get Involved in Financial Networks

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If you're still in university, tap into your career services for internship or temporary job placements. They often have insider info on companies like Kelda Group Limited 0000411940 - Kelda Group Limited looking for temporary financial support, and they might help you polish your pitch.

Flexible Availability is Key

For temporary positions in financial-controlling, your availability can make a huge difference. Highlight your willingness to start immediately or work irregular hours when speaking to employers. This flexibility can land you that sought-after role!

We think you need these skills to ace Principal Auditor in Leeds

Internal Audit
Risk Management
Data Analysis
Stakeholder Engagement
Communication Skills
Project Management
Coaching and Development

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Academic Aces:In the financial controlling game, grades and relevant certifications can make a significant difference. Be sure to highlight your academic achievements, like finance-related coursework and any professional certifications you’ve got on your CV that show you’re clued up in this area. It’s all about demonstrating that you’re not just good at numbers but also know your stuff!

Quantify Your Achievements:When applying for a temporary role in financial controlling, make sure your CV reflects any previous experience with real, measurable outcomes. Use numbers to showcase your past successes, like percentage improvements in budgeting or cost savings you’ve achieved in previous roles. This not only gives us insights into your capabilities but also tells us you're results-driven.

Personalise Your Application:We love seeing applicants who take the time to tailor their applications! In your cover letter, mention why you’re particularly interested in the temporary role with Kelda Group Limited 0000411940 - Kelda Group Limited and how your specific skills and experiences align with the job. Show us that you see this role as an opportunity to contribute, even if it's for a short stint!

Flexibility is Key:Since this is a temporary position, make sure to highlight your availability in your application. We’re interested in knowing how soon you can start and if you’re open to working flexible hours. This shows us your eagerness to jump right in and adapt to the dynamic needs of our team at Kelda Group Limited 0000411940 - Kelda Group Limited.

How to prepare for a job interview at Kelda Group Limited 0000411940 - Kelda Group Limited

Get Hands-On with Financial Tools

Being in financial controlling means you’ll likely be working with various software like Excel, Power BI, or even SAP. Make sure you brush up on these tools and prepare to discuss your experience using them. Being able to reference specific projects or analyses where you employed these programs will definitely give you an edge.

Prepare for Technical Financial Questions

Expect scenario-based questions where you might need to analyse financial statements or suggest budgetary strategies during the interview. Practising common financial concepts like variance analysis or cost control measures will not only boost your confidence but also prove your suitability for the role.

Show Your Flexibility and Adaptability

As this is a temporary position, the interviewers will want to see that you can hit the ground running. Be sure to highlight any previous short-term roles or projects where you successfully adapted to new environments quickly – this will showcase your readiness to tackle challenges head-on.

Highlight Your Commitment to Precision

In financial controlling, attention to detail is absolutely crucial. Be ready to provide examples from your past work that demonstrate your ability to spot discrepancies and ensure accuracy in financial reporting. Your precision could be the factor that sets you apart in a temporary role like this one!