Halfords

Job Purpose

The role-holder will support the Head of Internal Audit in the delivery of the internal audit plan. This role requires an individual who can work independently and efficiently to deliver high quality reports. The Internal Audit Manager is expected to engage with colleagues for the delivery of independent assurance and value-added insights.

Halfords is a customer focused business; The Internal Audit Manager will be working with a wide stakeholder group and is expected to promote a positive profile of the internal audit function.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate with all relevant colleagues when preparing and planning for audits.
• Complete audit fieldwork and reporting to progress the annual plan, in accordance with KPI targets.
• Produce concise and clear reporting to management, enabling the business to address risk and control issues.
• Agree audit actions and secure timely resolution, applying skills in influencing, negotiation, and relationship management.
• Work with relevant stakeholders to track the completion of all agreed actions, appropriately escalating any overdue actions as required.
• Apply succinct written and verbal communication skills tailored for each stakeholder.
• Effective and efficient use of time to complete the audit cycle for planning, fieldwork, reporting and follow up for multiple live audits.
• Provide advice on internal control including interpretation of relevant policies and procedures, working closely with the Financial Controls function and other internal functions to improve the control environment.
• Liaise with the external auditors and other external assurance providers where required.
• Benchmark and share trends and developments in the best practice of audit/risk management/internal control.
• Own audit recommendations through to satisfactory conclusion.
• Identify cost saving opportunities

Leadership

• Provide leadership in the application of a strong control environment across finance and the wider business
• Advocate and influencer for the effective management of risk

Key Skills/Experience

• Professional Qualification (ACA, ACCA ,IIA or equivalent)
• Experience in risk-based auditing.
• Succinct written and verbal communication style with ability to translate and/or summarise technical issues for a non-technical audience.
• Excellent project management and coordination skills to report audit findings against programme.
• Exemplary values of integrity and honesty.
• Technically astute and intellectually curious.
• Ability to draw on best practice from other organisations and adapt it to meet the needs of Halfords Group
• An effective communicator with excellent presentation skills and gravitas; articulate and persuasive; able to build strong relationships across the business at all levels
• Is open to change and seeks and encourages fresh ideas to meet an ever-changing environment. Able to support colleagues to adapt to change across the business
• An ability to provide challenge constructively for the agreement of recommendations and close out of audit actions