Description
Our client is an exciting and rapidly expanding market leader based in Glasgow. The business has grown impressively in recent years, both organically and via acquisition, and has an ambitious strategy which will continue to build market share.
The Head of Internal Audit is a newly created role which will report directly into the Group Finance Director. As the business continues to grow and diversify so too does the need to continuously improve and have robust and effective internal controls, systems and processes in place to run efficiently and effectively.
The organisation represents an excellent opportunity for a motivated qualified accountant who wants to work in a high growth business environment. In addition, the business will provide a firm career platform with good opportunity for personal and professional development as well as the mandate to shape and define how the internal audit function evolves. It is envisaged that over time this role will develop and grow and therefore it is key that applicants are flexible and adaptable to those changes.
The Role
The Head of Internal Audit is a key member of finance team and will report to the Group Finance Director. The Head of Internal Audit will take responsibility for the delivery of accurate and high quality reporting and management information while driving a robust control culture across the business.
The main duties and responsibilities will involve:
- Define, develop and manage Internal Audit standards and procedures
- Develop and drive the Internal Audit agenda within the wider business to raise the profile of the function
- Establish and manage the planning of the annual Audit Plan
- Undertake internal audit reviews based on the annual Audit Plan, to ensure compliance with policies, procedures, operational instructions and best practice procedures
- Communication of audit findings and recommendations for improvement at the conclusion of audits with relevant business personnel - both written and verbal
- Provide assurance on management controls and make recommendations for improvement
- Works with others to implement plans and projects that improve the internal control environment, and aligned processes to remediate risk to a level which meets the business risk appetite
- Ad hoc financial investigations and financial analysis of business performance
The Individual
The position incorporates wide range of responsibilities requiring a confident individual with strong technical background in either internal or external audit. It is essential that the individual comes from a large firm/business background where they will have a firm awareness of best practice approaches to risk management and internal controls. It is likely that the individual will be CA/ACCA qualified and, ideally, have trained with a Big 4 or large accountancy practice. However, the nature of the role may also lend itself to candidates who are Internal Audit professionals (e.g. IIA qualified) and/or trained in an industry environment.
It is critical that the Head of Internal Audit can work closely with senior management, including Chair of the Audit Committee, while consistently meeting the needs of key stakeholders both within and external to the business. In particular, it is crucial they can take responsibility for decision making and possess sufficient gravitas to challenge current thinking and drive positive change.
A summary of the key candidate requirements are as follows:
- Educated to Degree level or equivalent
- Qualified accountant or Internal Audit professional with appropriate post-qualification experience
- Excellent analytical and problem solving skills combined with business acumen, pragmatism and a good sense of diplomacy
- Proven ability to build relationships at all levels
- Highly developed oral, written and presentation skills
- Motivated self-starter with a flexible working attitude
- A strong team player, with a desire to make a significant contribution to the Internal Audit department
- Excellent IT skills including MS office and a good working knowledge of accounting systems
- Flexible approach to working hours in line with the needs of the business and happy to travel to other UK locations as required
What’s on offer
The position offers a highly competitive basic salary in the region of £65,000, employer pension
contributions, private medical insurance, bonus and 32 days’ holiday (inclusive of stats).
For a full Position Profile or to register your interest, please contact our retained search partner Mark Lewis on [email protected] or call 0141 611 7770. Please note any direct or third party applications will be sent to Rutherford Cross for assessment.