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- Tasks: Lead and develop Internal Audit’s Professional Practices while ensuring quality and compliance.
- Company: Join SJP, a company passionate about excellence, innovation, and employee autonomy.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid work, competitive leave, bonuses, and private medical insurance options.
- Why this job: Make an impact by improving governance processes and building strong stakeholder relationships.
- Qualifications: Professional qualifications in Accountancy or Audit with extensive audit experience required.
- Other info: We welcome diverse applicants and offer reasonable adjustments during recruitment.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Are you ready tochart your own career path?
With our refreshed strategy, we\’re building on our rich heritage and transforming our business to be more scalable and efficient, unlocking the capabilities needed for future success.
This includes significantly investing in technology, streamlining the way we work and creating an environment where colleagues feel engaged, empowered and accountable; where they can show up, speak up and perform – because we believe in the difference our work makes.
At a glance: Location: Cirencester Office Workplace Type: Employment Type: 6 month Fixed-Term Contract Seniority: Mid-Senior Level About the Role We\’re seeking a qualified Accountant or Audit professional with significant experience, including from within the Financial Services industry.
A 6-month fixed-term contract opportunity (commencing April), based out of our Cirencester Head Office (with hybrid working).
As Head of Professional Practices, you\’ll ensure the quality of the Internal Audit function is maintained to provide an effective third line oversight function to support the St. James\’s Place plc (\”the Group\”) Audit Committees; advising on, evaluating and reporting on the Group\’s Internal control arrangements in accordance with regulatory requirements and Industry best practice.
What You\’ll Be Doing Internal Audit helps the Board and Executive Management to protect the assets, reputation and sustainability of the SJP Group.
Your role will be to help drive continuous improvement in these areas by assessing and reporting on the overall effectiveness of the risk management, control and governance processes across the Group and by appropriately challenging Executive Management to improve the effectiveness of these processes.
Own the reporting of the Internal Audit\’s activities to its key stakeholders, including Group Executive Committee (GEC), the Group Audit Committee, the SJPI Audit Committee and Tier 2 ExCos, ensuring reporting is timely and insightful and continually driving improvements in reporting.
Lead, manage and develop Internal Audit\’s Professional Practices, and associated control framework.
Lead and direct team members in the delivery of the Quality Assurance and Improvement Programme (QAIP), in particular Quality Assurance and Closed Action Assurance reviews.
Support the Senior Audit Managers and the members of the core audit teams in the delivery of their allocated audits through the provision of independent technical advice and consultation.
Support the development of the annual Audit Plan, maintaining the Internal Audit Universe, ensuring appropriate risk assessment and other supporting analysis is carried out.
Provide oversight of data within the Internal Audit Data Domain, driving data awareness and accountability alongside the Data Steward.
Direct team members in delivering audits as required, including delivery of complex / higher risk audits.
Ensure audits are delivered on a timely basis, meeting high quality, professional standards.
Line management responsibility for members of the Internal Audit team.
Essential Criteria: Qualified Accountant (ACCA, ACA or CIMA) or Audit professional (CIA) with strong previous audit experience, including experience of the conduct and management of audits within the Financial Services industry.
Ability to develop strong relationships with senior stakeholders across the Group, representing Internal Audit at key governance groups as required.
Ideally, you\’ll have experience of at least one of the following; advised retail distribution; asset management; life and investment operations in an outsourced business model; discretionary wealth management.
Strong problem-solving skills.
An excellent communicator both verbal and written, with the ability to concisely and impactfully articulate audit findings to stakeholders and hold challenging conversations.
What\’s in it for you?
We reward you for the work you do, whether that\’s through our discretionary annual bonus scheme that reflects both personal and company performance, competitive annual leave allowance (28 days plus
Head Of Professional Practices employer: St. James’s Place
Contact Detail:
St. James’s Place Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Of Professional Practices
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest Internal Audit standards and best practices. This will not only help you understand the expectations of the role but also allow you to engage in meaningful discussions during interviews, showcasing your knowledge and commitment to excellence.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the audit field, especially those who have experience in similar roles. Attend industry events or webinars to gain insights and make connections that could provide valuable information about the company culture and expectations.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in developing and implementing Quality Assurance and Improvement Programmes (QAIP). Be ready to share specific examples of how you've led audit teams and improved processes, as this aligns closely with the responsibilities of the Head of Professional Practices.
✨Tip Number 4
Research SJP's values and recent initiatives. Understanding their commitment to innovation and autonomy will help you tailor your responses in interviews, demonstrating that you're not just a fit for the role, but also for the company's culture.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Of Professional Practices
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Take the time to thoroughly read the job description for the Head of Professional Practices. Understand the key responsibilities and essential criteria, as this will help you tailor your application to highlight relevant experience.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects your professional qualifications in Accountancy or Audit, along with your extensive audit experience. Highlight specific achievements that demonstrate your understanding of Internal Audit standards and best practices.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills. Use this opportunity to express your enthusiasm for the role and how your background aligns with SJP's values of excellence, innovation, and autonomy.
Prepare for the Interview: Familiarise yourself with FCA conduct regulations and consumer duty obligations, as these are important for the role. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to the Internal Audit function and provide examples of how you've successfully managed similar responsibilities in the past.
How to prepare for a job interview at St. James’s Place
✨Understand the Role Thoroughly
Before your interview, make sure you have a solid grasp of the Head of Professional Practices role. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities and how they align with SJP's goals. This will help you articulate how your experience and skills can contribute to their objectives.
✨Showcase Your Audit Expertise
Given the importance of audit standards and best practices in this role, be prepared to discuss your professional qualifications and extensive audit experience. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully implemented quality assurance measures or improved audit processes.
✨Demonstrate Strong Communication Skills
As this position requires excellent interpersonal and communication skills, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Be ready to provide examples of how you've effectively communicated complex audit findings to stakeholders in the past.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your critical thinking and professional scepticism. Prepare to discuss how you would handle specific audit challenges or provide constructive feedback to teams, showcasing your ability to drive improvements.
