As an Audit Intern within Limited Assurance, you will be part of a team of interns responsible for completing about 1,000 limited assurance audits of small local authorities (primarily parish councils).
Local authorities spending <£6.5M per annum are required to submit an annual return of their income and expenditure and we are required to undertake procedures set by the National Audit Office to give independent assurance on the annual return. The level of assurance is less than that of a true and fair opinion required for larger authorities (hence the term limited assurance). You will need to have an enquiring mind and be able to analyse information, especially financial data, quickly and accurately.
You will be trained and closely supervised by an experienced Audit Manager and all your work will be reviewed by the Audit Manager, Director or Audit Senior. However, you will be expected to learn quickly and work independently taking responsibility for the clients assigned to you. The clients are managed remotely but you will have regular contact with them on the phone, by e-mail and by letter so you must be a strong communicator.
The outcome of your work will contribute to providing various stakeholders with assurance of an organisation’s financial and accounting records and standards of governance. The local authorities raise most of their income via a precept added to resident’s council tax bills so there is considerable public interest in how the money is spent. The Director and Audit Manager will deal with objections received from local electors and any suspicion of fraud or illegality but you will need to be alert to politically sensitive issues, whilst working at speed on set procedures.

As an intern, your typical daily duties could include:

• Organising audits assigned to you to ensure efficient completion
• Maintaining records and files so you are aware at all times of the status of a large number of ongoing audits and can respond swiftly to queries
• Carry out analytical review – examining financial information for unusual patterns and ensuring that year-on-year variances are adequately explained
• Recording findings in the automated audit programme and database and referring to appropriate evidence
• Develop communication skills and build relationships with key stakeholders
• Utilise audit software
• Assist in closedown of audit files and clearing review points
• Identify reporting points and refer sensitive issues to the Audit Manager or Director
• Attend in-house technical training as required
• Have an awareness of the various services provided by Mazars
• Ensure timesheets are completed on a weekly basis

We are looking for people who bring something special to the firm and who also have some distinctive qualities. We want driven people who think creatively about their work, embrace challenges and can resolve complex problems.

• Demonstrates strong analytical and research skills
• Takes ownership of assigned tasks and adopts a pro-active approach
• Ability to organise and prioritise workload
• Produces accurate and timely work
• Participates in meetings, providing information and ideas with clarity and persuasiveness
• Ability to build relationships
• Respects differences in people and values diversity of ideas
• Applies active listening skills – asks questions when necessary but makes basic assumptions when appropriate
• Actively seeks to enhance own expertise and knowledge
• Demonstrates drive and commitment to self-development
• Professional approach to work and clients i.e. professional appearance, respect for individuals, and ethical conduct

 Academic Requirements

• Achieved, or on track to achieve a 2.1 or above in any degree discipline
• Minimum of 280 UCAS points (to have achieved in the same academic year, from your best 3 A Levels and excluding General Studies).
• Grade B or above in GCSE English Language and Maths.