Audit & Assurance Lead

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Audit & Assurance Lead
Permanent
Manchester
Salary: £51,000 - £58,200
Working arrangements: Hybrid (office based two days per week)
Introduction
This role gives you the opportunity to play a meaningful part in protecting how AQA operates and how it is trusted. You will work across the organisation to strengthen assurance, risk management and internal control, helping leaders understand whether processes are working as intended and where improvements are needed. Your contribution will support confident, well-informed decision making and help ensure AQA continues to operate effectively at all times.
Purpose of the role
In this role, you will provide independent, risk based assurance across AQA and its subsidiaries. You will support senior leaders, the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee and the Board of Trustees by delivering clear, evidence led insight into how risks are managed and controls are operating in practice. By acting as a trusted and constructive critical friend, you will help teams improve ways of working while maintaining objectivity, independence and professional judgement. Ultimately, your work will help protect AQA's reputation and enable positive outcomes for learners of all abilities.
Key responsibilities
In this role, you'll be responsible for:
Delivering end-to-end internal audits, including planning, fieldwork, stakeholder engagement and reporting.
Applying audit methodology consistently while exercising sound professional judgement.
Draft and finalise clear, proportionate and insightful audit reports.
Engage directly with stakeholders throughout audits, supporting open and constructive conversations about risk and control.
Support audit action agreement, closure and verification, including follow-up testing where required.
Contribute to continuous improvement of audit approaches, reporting and templates.
Work collaboratively with external audit partners, including participation in ISO audits.
Support audit sign-off meetings, clearly articulating findings, context and agreed actions.
What we are looking for
You will thrive in this role if you bring a blend of assurance expertise, curiosity and strong judgement:
Strong experience delivering end-to-end internal audits independently
High-quality audit report writing experience and ability to articulate risk and impact clearly
Experience applying audit methodology consistently and proportionately
Confidence engaging stakeholders and influencing outcomes without formal authority
Able to identify themes, root causes and improvement opportunities
Able to propose proportionate recommendations commensurate with business risk appetite and maturity - able to get action owners to agree
CIA / IIA qualification (part- or fully-qualified), or
ACA / ACCA with clear internal audit experience
What's in it for you
This is a role where your expertise and judgement will be visible and valued. You can expect:
The opportunity to deliver assurance work that genuinely influences organisational decisions.
Exposure to senior stakeholders and governance forums across AQA.
Support for your professional development and continuing learning.
25 days' annual leave, rising to 30 with service, plus bank holidays and extra closure days at Christmas
A 35-hour working week with flexible working arrangements
Excellent contributory pension scheme (6%-11.5% depending on your contribution)
Life assurance, BUPA PMI, and health cash plan
Enhanced maternity and paternity schemes
Diversity and inclusion
At AQA, we are committed to fostering a workplace that celebrates diversity and promotes equity and inclusion. We believe that a diverse team brings richer perspectives and drives better outcomes. Our ED&I strategy ensures that everyone-regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, age, disability, sexual orientation, or background-is valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. We actively promote inclusive language, avoid stereotypes, and strive for representation across all dimensions of diversity. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences.
Application process
To apply, submit your CV and a short supporting statement outlining your suitability for the role.
The application deadline is Monday 4 May 2026.
The selection process will include an initial interview held remotely, followed by a face to face interview in Manchester.
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Location:
Manchester
Salary:
£55,000
Job Type:
FullTime
Category:
Accountancy

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