Join our graduate trainee schemeHelp improve public services in Scotland

2 | Audit Scotland

Join us and you will:

Get full sponsorship to become a qualified Chartered Accountant with ICAS

Receive a starting salary of £22,308 and bonus potential

Have fantastic job opportunities when you qualify

Help audit £40 billion of public money

Benefit from flexible working

Travel – see Scotland as you work on audits across the country

We’d love to hear from you if you’re ambitious and have a passion for helping improve public services in Scotland.

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Graduate Trainee SchemeAs part of a commitment to deliver work of the highest quality and to adopt the highest professional standards and practices, we offer a Professional Qualification Scheme (PQS) for trainee auditors.

Our scheme provides training and development, with plenty of hands-on work experience and support as you complete your CA qualification with ICAS.

From day one you’ll have the opportunity to be a valued member of our audit teams, working with different public bodies, taking on more responsibility as you build your skills and experience during your four years training.

All our trainees spend a significant amount of their time working as financial auditors and some will also spend time working as performance auditors.

4 | Audit Scotland

For me, the biggest draw towards Audit Scotland’s trainee scheme was being given a year of work experience before starting my ICAS studies. Having studied law at university, I felt that this would ease me in to the field of accounting and audit.

Being a young parent, the work life balance offered by Audit Scotland has been great. The flexible working policy has allowed me to take more control over my working week and meant that I could attend my son’s first days at school.

I joined Audit Scotland as a trainee in 2015. I wanted to complete a professional accountancy qualification and was delighted to be offered a position in Audit Services Group. Learning opportunities here are great! Apart from studying for a professional qualification, you’re encouraged to attend internal and external training events, and there’s much to learn from knowledgeable colleagues. Everyone I worked with was supportive and very patient. While you’re given responsibility for your own work, help is always there if you need it.

Our trainees

Ross Reid Trainee auditor

Marta Kuzma Trainee auditor

The work life balance offered by Audit Scotland has been great

Learning opportunities here are great

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Working with such a range of clients on varying audits has provided an invaluable experience and I am amazed by how much I have learnt and developed in such a short period of time. The organisation provides endless opportunity and an environment in which you can really thrive as an individual. I am sure that when I begin my ICAS studies I will have a great support network behind me.

For those who want a challenge, an adventure and to actually enjoy their job - Audit Scotland is the place for you. The work we do matters, and we are highly thought of across the public sector. In my first week I was already performing audit work, and by six weeks I had met with both my Senior Audit Manager and Assistant Director to discuss corporate governance arrangements at our high profile client. With no ICAS exams in the first year, it allows you to focus on learning to do the job of an auditor. Managers are incredibly understanding, and all staff are very supportive in helping you develop.

Nathan OrrTrainee auditor

I am amazed by how much I have learnt and developed in a short period of time

Managers are incredibly understanding and staff are very supportive

Emma Symon Trainee auditor

6 | Audit Scotland

Aug–Nov: Level 3Test of Professional Expertise (TPE) including Business Ethics Exam

Jan–Jul: On-the-job training and work experience

Jul–Dec: Level 2Test of Professional Skills (TPS)

Jan–Jun: On-the-job training and work experience

Sep–Dec: Level 1Test of Competence (TC)

Nov–Aug: On-the-job training and work experience

Oct: Join Audit Scotland

Year 2£23,648

Year 3£25,760

Year 4£27,379

Year 1£22,308

This is an illustrative example of the qualification route and expected salary progression. Salary ranges and rates are subject to an annual review from 1 April each year.

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Join us if you’re ambitious and want to help improve public services in Scotland. We’re an organisation with a passion for what we do and a shared belief that public money should be spent wisely, making the lives of Scotland’s people the very best they can be.

We’re Scotland’s public sector auditor, independent of Government. We employ around 280 exceptional professionals from different backgrounds. We carry out audits and investigations for the Auditor General for Scotland and the Accounts Commission.

Our work is important and you’ll be a valued part of our audit teams as you study for your CA qualification.

8 | Audit Scotland

TC1

The qualification (CA)Audit Scotland offers a full sponsorship package towards becoming an ICAS Chartered Accountant (CA). The CA qualification comprises exams and work experience over a three-year period, covering the following stages:

TPS2

TPE3

Test of Competence (TC)TC covers the basic concepts and knowledge:

• Business Law• Business Management• Finance• Financial Accounting• Principles of Auditing and Reporting• Principles of Tax.

Test of Professional Skills (TPS)TPS equips students with the practical skills in the core areas necessary for an entry level professional accountant:

• Advanced Finance• Assurance and Business Systems• Financial Reporting• Taxation.

Test of Professional Expertise (TPE)TPE aims to combine your knowledge and skills from the previous levels, into a multi-disciplinary case study where you are expected to provide professional advice to people in real life situations.

Business ethicsIn addition to the above three levels, business ethics forms a stand-alone subject and assessment.

Work experienceEach trainee must also obtain at least 450 days relevant work experience. The achievement log is used to record and demonstrate relevant work experience, compliance with ethical standards and achievement of a range of required competencies.

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A career with fantastic benefits including:

• Competitive starting salary, plus bonuses and salary increments

• A fully sponsored qualification with ICAS to become a Chartered Accountant

• Mentor support and guidance

• 42 days holiday, plus flexi-time and exam leave

• Career development and training opportunities

• Attractive local government pension scheme (17.7% employer contributions).

10 | Audit Scotland

More about youOur trainees come from a variety of backgrounds – just graduated, mature students or people looking to change career, from a vast range of degree subjects.

What matters is that you’ve got great analytical skills, are committed to studying for a professional qualification and excel in a challenging and rewarding role.

We have a passion for what we do. And if you think this sounds like the career for you, then we’d like to hear from you. You’ll need these skills and qualifications:

Your skills and knowledgeDid you know, our auditors come from a range of different backgrounds? You don’t need a degree in maths!

• 2:1 degree or above in any discipline

• Strong numerical and analysis skills

• Eligibility to work in the UK.

The training provider (ICAS)ICAS is a professional body for over 20,000 world-class business professionals who work in the UK and more than 100 countries around the world. They have a specialised team of lecturers from a diverse range of industry, academic, financial and legal backgrounds who all deliver high-quality tuition. The majority of teaching is carried out in a classroom setting, combining lectures and workshop exercises. Trainees will be released from Audit Scotland on a block release basis.

Your CA qualification opens opportunities to a fantastic career with us, as well as an internationally recognised professional accountancy qualification.

www.icas.com

Who we audit

329Accounts audited

Local government

Central government NHS Further

education

209 76 23 21103 Charities 01 Scottish

Government14 Territorial NHS

region20 Colleges

63 Joint boards/committees

48 NDPB 09 Special health boards

01 Regional boards

16 Other

32 Councils 09 Agency

11 Pension funds 01 Scottish Water

01 European Agricultural Fund

99% 89.5% 95.7% 100%

n/a 02 02 03

Audit reports by due date Section 22 reports

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Audit Scotland, 4th Floor, 102 West Port, Edinburgh EH3 9DN T: 0131 625 1500 E: info@audit-scotland.gov.uk www.audit-scotland.gov.uk

To find out more please visit:

Our Graduate page Our LinkedIn pagewww.audit-scotland.gov.uk/careers/graduates www.linkedin.com/company/audit-scotland

Working at Audit ScotlandVisit our website to watch our ‘Working at Audit Scotland’ video:

www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/careers

Keep in touchFollow us on social media to find out more about our recruitment.