change your world...our very successful aca professional training scheme will equip you with the...

CHANGE YOUR WORLDChartered accountancy graduate professional training scheme

Our very successful ACA professional training scheme will equip you with the Chartered Accountancy qualification and membership of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

Our scheme will give you the opportunity to make a real difference to our huge range of clients but also to the nation. The scope of our work and influence is vast – supporting Parliament to hold government to account and improve the full spectrum of public services.

It will help you develop your skills as a professional, a manager and a leader. You will be equipped for a fantastic career.

So be part of a much bigger picture at the National Audit Office (NAO).

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About the NAO

of government expenditure audited in 2018-19

£8

66 £8bn 13,332

390of taxpayers’ money saved for every £1 spent to run the NAO

value-for- money reports published in 2018-19

of savings from our work since 2010

number of times NAO mentioned in the media in 2018

accounts audited in 2018-19

£1.7 trillion

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70graduates join us each year

starting salary, London

starting salary, Newcastle

ICAEW pass rate (we consistently beat the national average)

different degree subjects were represented in our most recent trainee intake

year graduate programme, with 25 weeks’ study leave by block release

About the scheme

Around

£29,000 £24,000

94%

51of our 2018 intake were female and 30% were BAME – we are diverse and inclusive

48%

3

+ +

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Be part of a bigger picture

Our position is unique, and our work is extraordinarily influential. Totally and distinctively independent of government, we scrutinise public spending for Parliament and investigate major government projects and programmes. This means we work for, and for the good of, all citizens in our country. We help our economy and society work better – supporting and enabling improvements in financial management and the way vital public services are delivered right across the public sector to millions of people every day.

For you, this means work that has a real purpose, and offers challenge and variety. You’ll contribute to audits and projects that scrutinise government’s use of resources and help drive improvement in our clients’ businesses. Our work informs debates and influences some of the biggest decisions that government makes. You’ll collaborate and work in teams with dedicated and talented people to deliver high-quality work that makes a difference.

By joining the NAO and achieving a prestigious qualification as a chartered accountant, you’ll build a rewarding and fascinating career. You’ll make an impact that you and the nation will benefit from.

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The scheme We welcome graduates from ANY degree subject (not just maths!) to join our highly successful professional training scheme. Covering three years, it will take you right through to qualification as a Chartered Accountant (ACA) with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). You’ll benefit from 25 weeks of study leave across the programme, giving you the quality time and space to focus on your studies and achieve success. By the time you qualify you’ll have outstanding professional experience behind you and a world of career possibilities ahead.

First-class tuition

Above-average pass rates

Relevant, varied work experience

25 weeks’ study leave

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Here are a few of the milestones that will be part of your first year with us:

September

Induction and college

October

Early Hurdle exams

November

College and exams

December

College and final set of

Year 1 exams, Christmas party

January

Film quiz

The scheme is challenging, but we will provide you with an excellent professional training package:

OO First-class tuition with a high-quality external provider.

OO 25 weeks’ paid study leave in block release to maximise your success.

OO Exam pass rates well above the national average.

OO Fully funded accountancy qualification (ACA) and professional membership subscriptions (ICAEW).

OO Relevant and varied work experience with challenges you can rise to and learn from.

OO Opportunities to take responsibility early in your career.

OO Work in teams committed to success.

OO An excellent system of support from NAO colleagues all the way through.

OO An NAO ‘buddy’ from our more experienced trainees, who will answer your questions during those first few months.

OO Opportunities to develop a wide range of technical and professional skills as well as management and leadership skills.

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What you’ll do Alongside your qualification you’ll work with clients from across government. You’ll start out working as a team member supporting our core financial audits, building up over time to work on bigger audits and more complex work, taking more of a lead role as you develop your skills and confidence. While working mainly on financial audits you’ll also have the opportunity to be involved in a range of our other work – including support for Parliament, investigations and our larger value-for-money studies of major government projects and programmes, which result in high-profile reports to Parliament that often make the headlines.

March

College and

LearnFest

April – June

Final audit

July

Pop quiz

August

Year 2 revision

February

Interim audit

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Where you’ll goDon’t expect to spend a lot of your time at your desk. Our trainees get involved in all kinds of projects that get them out in the field to all kinds of places across the UK, and sometimes even further afield. You’ll get to work out on clients’ premises where you can see how their businesses really work and how they can improve.

Where our graduates went last year:

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The impact you’ll haveRight from the start, you’ll contribute to work that matters. Whatever you work on, it all serves to help hold government to account for the way it uses public money and helps to promote improvements in public service delivery. And the scope will be from health, to education, to justice, to overseas development, to the BBC and the Bank of England – and much more.

Our recommendations and reports on good practice help government improve public services, and our work led to:

You can find out a lot more about us and our work from our website nao.org.uk but some examples of recent work are featured overleaf.

audited savings in 2018

£539msaved since 2010

£8bnfor every £1 spent on running the NAO

£8 saved


Education – In response to our report on apprenticeships the Department for Education developed a comprehensive set of performance measures, including the qualification’s impact on earnings potential and uptake by people from disadvantaged backgrounds, to ensure value for money is being achieved.

Culture and media – we found that the BBC’s approach to managing its workforce had progressed, with improved oversight and better value for money achieved. Looking forward, the head of the NAO, Sir Amyas Morse, said: “The scale of the BBC’s efficiency agenda in the coming years is considerable, and the BBC will need to monitor workforce changes carefully to build on the recent progress it has made.”

Energy – Our work for the Committee of Public Accounts has drawn extensively on our financial audit work and has led to increased transparency in the costs borne by electricity bill-payers, as well as the challenges and financial risks in the Hinkley Point C contract.

Treasury – The Whole of Government Accounts gives an overall picture of the financial position of the whole UK public sector. Our financial auditors have worked with Treasury to improve the reliability of these accounts which enable decision makers to make more informed decisions and support better accountability and transparency. Our financial auditors have developed an innovative interactive visualisation of the data to provide an accessible snapshot of UK finances.

Defence – our work on service family accommodation for the Committee of Public Accounts contributed to significant improvements in contractor performance and better living standards for service families.

International development – we investigated the key assumptions in the Department for International Development’s decision to fund an airport on the island of St Helena.

Children and families – Kids Company, a children’s charity which had received £46 million in funding, closed a week after the government gave it £3 million to stay open. Our investigation made headlines after finding that it had benefited from receiving twice the funding of other children’s charities.


Working for usWe are passionate about finding the right people to help us achieve our vision to help the nation spend wisely.

We invest in the development of our staff and are committed to creating a diverse working environment and providing equality of opportunity for all our people.

We are proud that our commitment and achievements to creating a diverse and inclusive working environment have been recognised by these partners.


“I was initially drawn to the NAO by the chance to gain a universally recognised qualification while working on behalf of the public”

Alexander KirkmanI was initially drawn to the NAO by the chance to gain a universally recognised qualification while working on behalf of the public, but was convinced by the workplace culture and atmosphere I encountered when I came for interview. As well as college based training there are opportunities for personal development, and even in busy periods my senior colleagues have always made time to explain anything I was struggling with as soon as I voiced any queries.


Who you’ll work withIn our open, inclusive and modern working environment – which places a huge emphasis on team working, collaboration and knowledge-sharing – you’ll work with, learn from, and coach all kinds of people. We are diverse and inclusive and you’ll find we are ambitious and committed to deliver high-quality work. Here are just a few of your future colleagues. You’ll find plenty more on our Trainee site naoaccountancyscheme.co.uk

Sarika SharmaWe’re working for everybody who pays taxes in this country essentially and on their behalf we’re ensuring that public money is being spent wisely. Which makes me feel really really motivated and gives me a sense of purpose…


Your development and careerOur work isn’t easy, and the scheme isn’t easy. You’ll have to be at your best and step up to challenges. But we’ll support and help you. For a start, we’ll give you plenty of time and support to get your ACA qualification.

Our learning and development offering is excellent, combining: formal training courses on aspects of accounting and auditing as well as management and leadership skills; learning through our work; and learning from other colleagues.

Our annual LearnFest week combines presentations, workshops and seminars on a whole host of topics (you could also deliver one if you wish).

Looking further ahead, we run talent programmes which identify, support and develop those with the potential to reach our most senior levels.

The more you develop and achieve, the more career options open up for you. After qualifying there are opportunities to specialise in financial audit or value-for-money work, or to be more involved in other areas of our work, including investigations or support to Parliament.

All across the NAO you’ll find people in senior roles and leadership positions who started with us as trainees.

All this is within the context of a friendly, supportive and highly professional culture where we try to live our values, which are: Independent, Authoritative, Collaborative and Fair.



What we offer youWe demand a lot but we also give a lot. You’ll find our pay and benefits package is very competitive. Along with doing varied work with an unrivalled network of high-profile clients you’ll join a supportive and sociable peer group and get the support you need to succeed.

Excellent on-site gym at our London office and subsidised gym membership in Newcastle

Social events – including annual pop quiz, film quiz and Christmas party

Plus annual pay increases as well as increases when you pass each stage of your professional exams

£29,000+ +starting salary, London

£24,000starting salary, Newcastle

Civil service pension scheme

30 days’ holiday (including public holidays)

Fully paid 25 weeks’ study leave in block release

Fully funded ACA qualification and ICAEW membership subscriptions

Interest- free travel season ticket loan

Staff discounts


Who are we looking for?There is no such thing as a typical NAO Graduate Trainee. We are diverse and inclusive. We are also ambitious and high-performing. Successful candidates come from a diverse range of backgrounds and may have any degree subject. We do, however, have some minimum criteria you will need to meet:

OO 2.1 degree or better in any subject (achieved or expected).

OO 120 UCAS points from the 2017 tariff from your top three A Level grades (or equivalent). General Studies does not count. If you have 104 UCAS points from the 2017 tariff (or equivalent) you may still be eligible to apply – please email [email protected] for further details.

OO You must be a UK, Commonwealth, EEA or Swiss national to comply with civil service nationality rules and must hold a valid work permit. We are not able to sponsor work visas.

Of course, this is just a quick look at life as a graduate with us. For the full story, and details of how to apply, just go to:

naoaccountancyscheme.co.uk

Design and Production by NAO External Relations DP Ref: 11852-001 | © National Audit Office 2019

Contact usIf you have any queries, please contact our recruitment team by email, our Facebook page or on Twitter.

[email protected]

facebook.com/NAOgraduatejobs

twitter.com/NAOgraduatejobs

naoaccountancyscheme.co.uk

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