At a Glance
- Tasks: Engage in exciting projects and gain hands-on experience in Financial Audit and Value for Money.
- Company: Join the NAO, the UK's independent public spending watchdog making a real difference.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional training, and networking opportunities in a dynamic environment.
- Other info: Diversity-focused internship with excellent growth potential and a supportive team.
- Why this job: Kickstart your career while contributing to vital public services that impact millions.
- Qualifications: Penultimate year students with a passion for finance and strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 500 - 1500 £ per month.
The NAO is looking for penultimate year undergraduate students interested in starting their career in Accounting! You will gain an understanding of NAO’s key work areas - Financial Audit and Value for Money (VfM). If you would like to get involved in a range of interesting projects and make a difference, apply today!
Who are we? The NAO is the UK’s independent public spending watchdog. We are an independent public body, and our vital audit work adds value to the government by supporting its drive to improve the delivery of public services to millions of people every day. The NAO boasts an impressive client portfolio including high-profile government departments, the NHS and BBC and we collaborate with clients to help improve crucial public services, which affect each and every one of us!
Working location and remuneration: The internship programme will run for six weeks, from 15th June to 24th July, and will be based in either our London or Newcastle office. This is an in-person internship, so you must be available for the full duration of the programme and able to work from one of our offices. You will receive a competitive pro-rated salary of £27,000 (London) or £25,000 (Newcastle).
Responsibilities: What is the role?
- You will have the opportunity to get involved in a range of interesting projects that will allow you to see the importance of the work the NAO completes.
- You will work with different colleagues, helping you to expand your professional network and shadow auditors in their day-to-day work.
- Tasks you will work on include undertaking crucial research and fieldwork for NAO’s audits and investigations.
- You will have the opportunity to attend a range of exciting training courses about the government, assurance and the role of Parliament.
Skills required: We look for individuals who can:
- Analyse data to draw sound conclusions
- Demonstrate sound judgement
- Communicate effectively with others
- Demonstrate enthusiasm, initiative, and drive
- Build and maintain effective team relationships
- Build and maintain key client relationships
- Plan and organise workload to deliver high quality work to deadline
- Understand the bigger picture
Application stages:
- Initial application with personal details
- Online numerical test
- Written competency questions
- Telephone interview
Educational requirements: To join our Summer Internship programme:
- You must be in your penultimate year of university
- You must be on track to achieve at least a 2.1 degree in any subject.
- You must have achieved a minimum of UCAS points (or based on the pre-September UCAS tariff point system) or equivalent from your top 3 A Levels, not including General Studies.
- If you have UCAS points (or based on the former UCAS tariff point system), you may still be eligible to apply as your application will be reviewed in the context of your socio-economic background.
- You must be interested in Financial Audit although you’ll have the opportunity to get involved with Value For Money (VfM) work.
Diversity requirements: This is a diversity work experience programme so applicants must be from one or more of the following characteristics:
- lower socio-economic background
- black heritage background
- female
Nationality Requirements:
- UK Nationals
- Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- Nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with (or eligible for) status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
The NAO is unable to sponsor work visas. If you have any questions regarding nationality eligibility, please contact us.
Please note that participation in the Summer Internship Programme does not guarantee progression to an assessment centre or a place on the NAO Trainee Accountancy Programme. Any future applications will be considered independently and must meet the relevant eligibility and right-to-work requirements at the time of application. Candidates applying to the NAO Trainee Accountancy Programme must hold valid right-to-work documentation for the full three-year duration of the programme.
If you need any reasonable adjustments during the process, please contact our team so we can discuss how best to accommodate your requirements.
Application Deadline: The application deadline is 27th February (23:59) but we reserve the right to close the role early if we receive a high level of interest. Please note, there may be a delay between completing an assessment stage and receiving an outcome, as applications are reviewed once recruitment has closed.
2026 Diversity Summer Internship – London or Newcastle employer: National Audit Office
The NAO is an exceptional employer that offers a unique opportunity for penultimate year undergraduate students to kickstart their careers in Accounting through a meaningful internship programme. With a strong focus on diversity and inclusion, the NAO fosters a collaborative work culture where interns can engage in impactful projects, receive valuable training, and expand their professional networks while contributing to the improvement of public services across the UK.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land 2026 Diversity Summer Internship – London or Newcastle
✨Tap into Campus Resources
Universities often have strong ties with banks and financial institutions. Make sure to check in with your career services for any internship fairs or networking events. These can be golden opportunities to meet representatives from firms like National Audit Office and make a lasting impression.
✨Join Finance Societies and Clubs
Get involved with finance or investment clubs at your university. These not only offer great networking potential but often host guest speakers from the industry. Show your enthusiasm and engage with these professionals—who knows, they might tip you off about internship openings at National Audit Office!
✨Have Your Application Ready to Go
Internship applications can be competitive and come with tight deadlines. Be proactive! Have your CV and cover letter prepared and tailored for roles at National Audit Office. When the openings go live, you’ll want to be one of the first to apply.
✨Leverage LinkedIn for Connections
LinkedIn is a powerful tool, especially in the banking sector. Follow recruiters from National Audit Office and connect with alumni who are working in similar roles. Don’t hesitate to drop them a message to introduce yourself and express your interest in internships—they might have insider info or even refer you!
We think you need these skills to ace 2026 Diversity Summer Internship – London or Newcastle
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Those Grades!:In banking and financial services, your academic background is super important. Make sure to highlight your grades, especially in finance, economics, or maths. If you've got any relevant coursework or projects, don’t hesitate to include them in your CV!
Craft Your Cover Letter with Care:For an internship, we want to see your enthusiasm and motivation. Use your cover letter to explain why you’re excited about this opportunity at National Audit Office and what you hope to learn. Be personal and connect the dots between your education and the role of 2026 Diversity Summer Internship – London or Newcastle.
Squeaky Clean CV:Your CV should be clear and free of jargon. Focus on the skills that matter most in the banking sector, like analytical thinking and attention to detail. Don't forget to include any internships or part-time jobs that show your experience in a banking environment!
Utilise Relevant Experiences:If you've been involved in finance-related clubs or societies at university, mention that in your application. Showing your practical experience alongside your studies can make a real difference and demonstrate your passion for the financial world. We love seeing candidates who go the extra mile!
How to prepare for a job interview at National Audit Office
✨Show Us Your Analytical Skills
As an intern in the banking and financial services sector, you'll want to showcase your analytical skills. Be ready to tackle numerical and case questions during your interview. Brush up on your data interpretation abilities and consider scenarios where you've used data to solve problems.
✨Know Your Financial Tools
Familiarise yourself with the financial tools and software commonly used in banking, like Bloomberg or Excel for financial modelling. We recommend having a couple of examples where you've applied these tools in your studies or projects to impress the interviewer.
✨Be Passionate About Learning
Internships are all about learning, so express your enthusiasm for the banking industry. Share what trends you're excited about, or recent news you've followed, to show you're motivated and engaged. This can set you apart from other candidates who might be less enthusiastic.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Expect behavioural questions that assess your fit within a team and your ability to handle challenges. Think of examples from your studies or group projects that highlight your teamwork, adaptability, and communication skills. We want to see how you've navigated situations that are relevant to the workplace!
