Team: Audit

Job Family:Advising – CBG4
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

Interview Date: 16th November 2026 - to take place at Priory House, Shefford

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. Please visit Rewards and Benefits page

Other Considerations

Please note that we reserve the right to close this vacancy before the advertised closing date if a high volume of suitable applications is received.

Our offer

Our aspiration is to be a truly flexible employer.  We welcome discussion on location, hours and working pattern as part of the application process.

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You will be expected to demonstrate how you meet the key accountabilities and competencies in this Recruitment Pack.

Our Competency Framework and Qualification Guidance are to be read in conjunction with our Recruitment Pack.

For an informal discussion about this position, please contact: amanda.blakey@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

To maintain a fair and consistent approach for applicants, it is Central Bedfordshire Council's policy to only consider applications made via our online application system and we therefore thank you for not submitting your application offline.

Your application to us is a reflection of who you are professionally and should give us an accurate and authentic picture of your skills, experiences and if applicable qualifications. Before you submit your application, we will ask you to confirm if you have used AI.

All new starters will join us on a four‑month probationary period. During this time, if you are offered a Hybrid role you will be required to attend a Central Bedfordshire Council office location more frequently to support thorough and well‑supported onboarding into your role. Please keep this in mind if you anticipate extensive travel to Central Bedfordshire.

Please note we are unable to offer sponsorship for our roles. Successful applicants that may require a visa will need to consider the options for obtaining and/or maintaining the legal right to live and work in the UK for the duration of the contract offered.

Free information, advice and guidance into work or learning

Bedfordshire Employment and Skills Academy (BESA) provides free, impartial, information advice and guidance to those aged 16+ looking to get into work, learning or exploring a change of career.

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