Job Description
Job title:
Head of Internal Audit
Department/School:
Vice-Chancellor’s Office
Reports to:
Vice-Chancellor
Grade:
9 (1 FTE)
Location:
University of Bath Campuses
Job purpose
The Head of Internal Audit is responsible to the Vice-Chancellor (as accountable
officer) and to the University Council through the Audit Committee for providing
assurance on risk management, control and governance as well as value for money.
The Head of Internal Audit fulfils this purpose by providing an annual opinion as part of
a report to the Vice-Chancellor and to the University Council via the Audit Committee
which is supported by the programme of audit work that is planned, carried out and
reported on during the year.
The programme of work will evaluate the arrangements in place:
a) To establish and monitor the achievement of organisational objectives
b) To identify, assess and manage risks to the achievement of those objectives
c) To assess compliance with policies, laws and regulations
d) To ascertain the integrity and reliability of financial and other information
provided to management and stakeholders, including that used in decision
making
e) To ascertain that systems of control are laid down and operate to promote the
economic, efficient and effective use of resources and to safeguard assets.
The Head of Internal Audit leads and plans the development and operation of the
University’s internal audit function.
Source and nature of management provided
Vice-Chancellor
Staff management responsibility
The post holder will have specific line management responsibility for other staff
employed in the Internal Audit team.
The post-holder will be expected to implement and work within the University’s Policies
and Guidelines.
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Main duties and responsibilities
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Comply with the Audit Code of Practice published by the Higher Education
Funding Council for England and work to professional auditing standards.
Develop and implement a long-term audit strategy and a three-year audit
programme that is based on the University’s risk assessment and operational
priorities.
Develop and implement an annual audit programme of work that follows from the
strategic priorities in the three-year programme. The plan for this annual
programme of work is required before the beginning of the year and is supported
by a risk assessment and assessment of resource needs. The Head of Internal
Audit presents this to the Vice-Chancellor and Audit Committee.
Plan individual audit reviews and maintain oversight of their performance.
Examine and report on the adequacy and effectiveness of risk management,
control and governance as well as arrangements to seek value for money.
Identify issues that require addressing and work with management to identify
practical and constructive recommendations for management actions. Findings are
reported to relevant managers (including the Vice-Chancellor).
Monitor and report on the progress of the implementation of open audit points.
Attend meetings of Audit Committee and provide updates of the progress of the
audit work against the plan.
Provide an annual report of the internal audit department’s activities to the ViceChancellor and Council via the Audit Committee for submission to the Higher
Education Funding Council for England. The report will include the required annual
opinions of the adequacy and effectiveness of the University’s arrangements in
place for risk management, control and governance as well as of those
arrangements to promote and pursue Value for Money.
Undertake special reviews as required by Council, the Audit Committee, the ViceChancellor or other members of the University senior management.
Report to the Vice-Chancellor and the Chair of the Audit Committee any serious
weaknesses, significant fraud or major accounting breakdown discovered during
the normal course of audit work.
Keep abreast of, and advise the University on, best practice developments in
internal control, risk management and value for money.
Manage the employees in the internal audit department, with particular emphasis
on the maintenance of appropriate professional standards.
Liaise with the external auditor, the Higher Education Funding Council for England
and the National Audit Office, as appropriate.
Maintain an overall understanding of the needs of the University in a changing HE
Sector.
Represent the University externally within the HE sector, as required.
In addition to University provided training and development, you will undertake sufficient
personal and professional development as required, ensuring skills and knowledge are
up to date so that the role is performed to the required level.
You will from time to time be required to undertake other duties of a similar nature as
reasonably required by your line manager.
Some occasional travelling may be required, for example to user groups or conferences.
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Person Specification template
Criteria
Essential
Desirable
Assessed by
A/F
I/T
R
Qualifications
Professional accountancy qualification
(CCAB or equivalent)
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Degree
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Demonstrable experience of developing
and managing strong working
relationships with a wide variety of
stakeholders.
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Experience of managing a small team to
deliver objectives within a large and
diverse organisation
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Experience/Knowledge
Appropriate experience of successful
internal or external audit within a large,
complex organisation, commensurate
with the grade of this post
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Demonstrable experience of using a riskbased approach
Experience of working in a higher
education environment
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A good knowledge of the UK HE context
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Ability to think and act objectively and
with integrity.
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Excellent written and verbal
communication skills, including the ability
to adapt communication style to suit the
audience and to work with staff at all
levels
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Proficient in use of Microsoft Excel, Word
and proven ability to learn to use/audit an
organisation’s core MIS packages.
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Ability to deal with confidential and
sensitive information with tact and
discretion
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Skills
Excellent team leadership and
management skills.
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Attributes and aptitudes
Ability to work to strict deadlines and
under pressure.
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Personal drive and desire to achieve
results
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Commitment to team and selfdevelopment. Continually improves
knowledge, skills and behaviours making
sure to transfer any relevant
knowledge/skills gained to others
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Positive attitude to the application of
corporate policies and procedures
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Code: A/F – Application form, I/T – Interview/Test, R - References
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