Head of Audit

UNISON are partnering exclusively with Robertson Bell in their search for a new Head of Internal Audit to join their team on a permanent basis. UNISON is the UK’s leading public sector trade union, with more than 1.3 million members working in the public services, energy services, private, voluntary and community sectors.

The Head of Internal Audit will report into the Finance Director and will manage a well-established team of six undertaking routine branch audits on a cyclical basis as well as ad hoc special investigations when required including fraud investigations.

The organisation:

UNISON employs around 1,200 staff, approximately 370 at our national centre in Euston, central London and the remainder in our 12 regions across the UK including Northern Ireland. Its main functions include supporting the General Secretariat and the NEC via the Finance and Resource Management Committee. With an annual subscription income of around £170 million, the key objective is the effective management and safeguarding of the union’s finances, ensuring that UNISON considers the financial implications when meeting its objectives and the needs of its members. There are 34 members of staff in the department with responsibilities over financial management and operations, regional and branch financial management, staff pensions and internal audit.

The role:

• Managing, integrating, and coordinating the activities of the Internal Audit Team and overseeing and ensuring the delivery of a planned program of audit visits to branches
• Reviewing, testing, and monitoring of branch activities to ensure compliance with internal and external financial regulations and legal requirements.
• Undertaking branch audits and fraud investigations when problems are identified at a branch, regional or national level, to minimise the risk of exposure and safeguard the Union’s assets.
• The post holder will report findings to Senior Management, NEC, and to external parties as and when circumstances dictate.
• Ensuring that the production of reports and similar communications present the financial affairs of UNISON in an appropriate manner to members, committees, Secretariat, Senior Managers, as well as other external agencies.
• Liaising with relevant committees, legal parties (internal and external) and any relevant third-party representatives on legal cases and proceedings.
• Putting forward and following up on recommendations to mitigate risks identified to Senior Management, Regions and Branches and maintaining the audit log, records and working papers to high standards.
• Developing and updating internal audit procedures, relevant policy and process documentation including handbooks, training materials and guidance ensuring they are fit for purpose and communicated effectively.

The successful candidate will:

• Hold a recognised CCAB accountancy qualification with proven post-qualification experience in audit and financial accounting
• Be experienced in managing an Internal Audit function in a large and complex organisation.
• Have the ability to lead audits and investigations to conclusions and report to the necessary internal and external bodies.
• Have highly developed interpersonal and communicative skills.
• Hold the ability to advise on financial and operational matters concerning compliance with internal governance and external regulatory and legal requirements to a wide range of audiences.

The position will be based at UNISONs head office on Euston Road and require 50% attendance at the office. The closing date for applications is 28th April with interviews taking place the week commencing 6th May.

Applications will be under constant review before the closing date, so please submit your application to our exclusive search agent, Robertson Bell. Apply now to be considered!