Audit Apprentice

Team: Audit

Salary: £26,427 per annum pro rata

Hours: 37 hours per week

Location: You will be expected to attend a CBC office location as often as needed to carry out your role, which will be no less than once per month.

Contract Type: Hybrid - Permanent

Closing Date: 1st November 2026

About the role

We are currently recruiting for an Audit Apprentice within our Audit and Risk Team. This Apprenticeship opportunity combines paid employment with structured off-the-job learning. As an Audit Apprentice, you will work towards the Level 4 Internal Audit Practitioner Apprenticeship, with the opportunity to progress to a Level 6 professional qualification. Training and study support will be provided throughout, helping you build a rewarding long-term career in audit, governance and risk management.

Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, you will earn a valuable qualification alongside practical work experience. Demonstrating the right aptitude and commitment may lead to the opportunity to apply for a Senior Auditor position when vacancies arise.

The Council faces strategic, financial and operational risks that can prevent it from achieving its goals. Internal Audit takes a deep and objective look at the organisation, providing independent assurance that the right systems and control processes are in place to manage these risks and that they are operating effectively.

You’ll be working on a wide variety of projects, so it’s important that you’re adaptable and highly organised. Strong verbal and written communication skills are essential as you’ll be communicating at all levels, often explaining complex information both in meetings and in written reports. An interest in analysing data with good IT skills is desirable.

The Apprenticeship

As part of the role you will:

• Work alongside experienced auditors to review a wide range of Council services and activities including risk management and fraud investigations.
• Collaborate with colleagues and stakeholders across the organisation to understand how services operate and the risks they face.
• Assist with audit reviews, including gathering and analysing information, testing controls and documenting findings.
• Develop analytical and problem-solving skills to help identify opportunities for improvement and promote good practice.
• Learn how to present audit findings and recommendations clearly and professionally, both verbally and in writing.
• Undertake monitoring of departmental completion of audit actions and other tasks as required.

About you:

We are seeking someone with a genuine interest in understanding how organisations operate and a desire to build a professional career in audit, governance and risk management. This opportunity could be ideal if you have recently completed further education, are looking to start your professional career, have completed a degree and wish to gain a recognised professional qualification, or are considering a change in career direction.

You should be adaptable, organised and enjoy working with people. As an Internal Auditor, you will work with colleagues from across the Council to understand how services operate and identify opportunities for improvement. You should be comfortable communicating with a wide range of people, listening carefully, asking questions and accurately recording your findings. Many of the Council's systems and processes are technology-based, so you will need to be confident using computers and Microsoft 365 applications. Good attention to detail, a logical approach to problem-solving and the ability to manage competing priorities will help you succeed in the role.

Most importantly, you will be enthusiastic, inquisitive and eager to make a positive contribution to the services we provide for our local communities.

Important Information

• 2 A-Levels or equivalent Level 3 Qualification.
• 5 GCSEs grades A-C / 9-4, or equivalent, including Maths and English are required as the role does require strong numerical reasoning and analytical capability.
• A degree or equivalent higher education qualification is desirable but not essential.
• Candidate must have been ordinarily resident in the UK and Islands for at least the previous 3-year period on the first day of their apprenticeship.
• Although the role can involve working from home, Hybrid working means that there will be a requirement to attend the office on a regular basis, therefore the suitable candidate must be able to reliably travel to Priory House in Shefford. During the settling in period the successful candidate will be required to attend the office 2 x weekly to ensure a successful induction period.
• In person interviews will take place at Priory House, Shefford
• The successful candidate will start the apprenticeship course with a provider at the next available cohort intake.

What we will do for you:

• Support you to achieve knowledge, skills and behaviours required for your apprenticeship
• Experienced assessor and mentor to assess your work and practice
• Individual learning programme tailored to your own needs
• E-learning, training, and monthly tutorials specific to your apprenticeship
• 6hrs paid time to be used for learning and development opportunities
• Provide you with a range of employee benefits including paid leave for 25 days per year, retailer benefits, employee assistance programme, access to excellent in-house training and the opportunity to join the Local Government Pension Scheme.