School Auditor

Job description

We are seeking to appoint two dedicated and motivated School Auditors to play a key role in strengthening financial governance across Pembrokeshire Schools.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a structured, high‑profile programme designed to improve financial sustainability, internal controls, and risk management within schools. Working closely with Education, Finance and Internal Audit teams, you will provide both independent assurance and practical advisory support to help schools manage increasing financial pressures.

Schools are operating in an increasingly challenging financial environment, with rising costs, funding pressures, and workforce demands. This role is critical in helping schools maintain financial resilience by strengthening governance, improving consistency in financial management, and identifying risks at an early stage. By supporting schools to prevent deficits and reduce the need for formal recovery or intervention, you will play a key role in safeguarding public funds, improving confidence in financial stewardship, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

In this role, you will deliver risk-based financial audits across a range of schools, combining independent assurance with practical, hands-on support to improve financial management. You will identify emerging financial risks and work with school leaders to support early intervention, helping to prevent issues from escalating. Your work will include thematic reviews in key areas such as payroll, procurement, and budget monitoring, as well as advisory support during budget setting and forecasting cycles. You will produce clear, high-quality audit reports, follow up on implementation of agreed actions, and contribute to wider assurance reporting for Senior Management and the Governance and Audit Committee.

You will bring experience in audit or financial management, along with a strong understanding of internal controls and governance principles. You will be able to analyse complex financial information and communicate it clearly in a constructive and supportive manner. With a collaborative and approachable style, you will build effective working relationships with school leaders and stakeholders, gaining trust while providing robust challenge where needed. You will be proactive, well organised, and capable of working independently, with a commitment to continuous professional development, including working towards relevant audit qualifications.

We offer a rewarding opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the financial sustainability of local schools, working as part of a supportive and professional Internal Audit environment. You will benefit from structured training and development, including support to achieve recognised audit qualifications, alongside opportunities to broaden your experience across education, finance, and governance. The role also provides a varied and engaging workload, with the chance to work collaboratively across services while developing valuable skills in audit, risk management, and advisory support.

This position is a fixed-term contract with an anticipated start date of October 2026.

Employee Benefits

Our employee benefits are designed to help invest in your future and are in addition to living and working in Pembrokeshire, one of the most beautiful and desirable counties in the UK.

The Visit Pembrokeshire website https://www.visitpembrokeshire.com/ is an excellent source of information, and showcases the wide variety of activities, amenities and adventures that await you.

Please refer to the job description above for more details on this vacancy and the person specification.

Employment Checks

This post is subject to a DBS disclosure check.

Where it is appropriate for your role and responsibility, the personal information we have collected from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas, and your data protection rights, can be found by visiting https://www.cifas.org.uk/fpn.

Applicants should ensure they have the right to work in the UK before applying for a vacancy.

Please note that at this point, Pembrokeshire County Council is not accepting applicants who require a Skilled Worker visa as a prerequisite to a right to work in the UK. Applicants should ensure they have the right to work in the UK before applying for a vacancy.

Guidance Note: Use of AI and Accuracy of Information:

• We understand that applicants may choose to use tools such as generative AI to support the preparation of their application. While the use of such tools is permitted, it remains the applicant's full responsibility to ensure that all information submitted is factually accurate, truthful, and representative of their own skills, experiences and qualifications.
• Providing information that is false, misleading, or exaggerated, regardless of whether it was generated by AI or not, may result in disqualification from the recruitment process or dismissal if discovered after appointment.
• By submitting this application, you confirm that all content provided is accurate and submitted in good faith.

The Supported Employment Programme is a group of local authority based enterprises that employs over 75 people with a disability or work limiting health condition, please visit the link below for further information: Pembrokeshire Supported Employment Programme - Pembrokeshire County Council

Safeguarding

Safeguarding and protecting children and adults at risk is a high priority for Pembrokeshire County Council. We aim to support vulnerable children and adults at risk to ensure they are as safe as they can possibly be. We are committed to ensuring their safety and will take action to safeguard their well-being. The Council's Corporate Safeguarding Policy provides a framework for every member of staff and Service within the Council, setting out responsibilities in relation to safeguarding and protecting children and adults at risk as well as the methods by which the Council will be assured that it is fulfilling its duties.

This policy applies to all Council employees and workforce, councillors, volunteers and also service providers that are commissioned by the Council. Safeguarding is everyone's business whether they work for, or on behalf of, the Council.

Support & Additional Info

• Please contact the HR Systems Team as early as possible if you're unable to apply online by emailing [email protected] .
• Please contact the Recruitment Team if you have any queries relating to this vacancy by emailing [email protected] .
• Local Government Employees on National Joint Council (NJC) terms are subject to national pay bargaining; all salaries currently stated in our adverts are as 01/04/2025.
• Please note, we have a legal obligation to consider employees for suitable alternative employment if their posts are at risk; therefore prior consideration will be given to existing employees who meet the person specification and are registered on our redeployment pool.

Welsh language skills are desirable. Applications may be submitted in Welsh and will not be treated less favourably than applications submitted in English.