At AQA were committed to advancing education and were committed to our people. As the largest provider of academic qualifications in the UK we mark over 10 million exam papers each year and its our people who make this happen.

Audit & Assurance Lead

Permanent

Manchester

Salary: 51000 - 58200

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 wellinformed 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 AQAs reputation and enable positive outcomes for learners of all abilities.

Key responsibilities

In this role youll be responsible for:

• Delivering endtoend 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 followup 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 signoff 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 endtoend internal audits independently
• Highquality 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 fullyqualified) or
• ACA / ACCA with clear internal audit experience

Whats 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 everyoneregardless of religion ethnicity gender identity or expression age disability sexual orientation or backgroundis 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.

Recruitment Agencies

We have a preferred supplier list (PSL) in place.

Unsolicited CVs will be treated as a gift. We will not be subject to or liable under your terms and conditions for agency fees.

Full Job Description

Summary

Purpose:

This role will play an important part in the achievement of AQAs objective to be effective at all times. We adopt best practices in our processes and with our people always improving the way we work. As an Audit and Assurance Lead you will work across the organisation utilising your audit and assurance skills and your knowledge and experience of related practices to provide assurance to AQA senior management the Audit Risk & Compliance Committee and the Board of Trustees of the adequacy and effectiveness of AQAs internal processes and controls.

Landscape:

This role is based within AQAs Regulation and Compliance Business Area and sits alongside functions responsible for Regulatory Compliance Quality Risk and Internal Audit as such the role has an organisation-wide remit and the scope to make a tangible impact on the effective operation of our organisation.

Activities:
To scope and deliver audits and other assurance activities in line with agreed annual plans and in response to business needs
To produce clear and concise reports that effectively summarise findings recommendations and actions.
To produce high quality audit / review documentation and evidence to support findings and recommendations
To support the Head of Regulation in the development of a risk-based annual Compliance Audit Plan and in determining efficient and effective working practices.
To undertake any specific investigations or consultative work at the request of the Head of Regulation.
To ensure that work undertaken remains free of undue influence and in line AQAs values and behaviours.
To take responsibility for professional self-development including keeping up to date with developments of standards and relevant best practices.

Need to know (to be successful in this role you will need to know):
Significant experience of utilising audit and assurance principles and practices to reduce risk and drive operational effectiveness.
Successful deployment of audit and assurance techniques within the context of the three lines of defense model.
An understanding of risk management principles and practice.
Analyse and evaluation of processes and controls and the development of suggestions for implementing improvements.
The ability to produce accurate and concise reports to deadline.
Experience of contributing to the development of departmental objectives and plans.
Excellent communication and inter personal skills including influencing negotiation and consultancy skills.
The ability to work independently and within a team.
Have a Step up mindset. Think for yourself. Use sound judgement and hold yourself to account. Listen to understand and speak your mind with courtesy and care.