ARDS and NORTH DOWN BOROUGH COUNCIL

JOB DESCRIPTION

POST:Independent Audit Committee Member

SALARY:£250 per meeting plus reasonable travelling expenses (subject to PAYE)

LOCATION:Town Hall Bangor and/or Church Street Newtownards

DURATION:4 year term

MAIN PURPOSE

ARDS and NORTH DOWN BOROUGH COUNCIL is seeking to appoint an independent member to its Audit Committee. The independent member will contribute to the Audit Committee’s role of providing independent assurance to Those Charged with Governance, on the adequacy of the risk management framework and the internal control environment.

The Audit Committee will review the Council’s governance, risk management and control frameworks, overseeing the financial reporting and annual governance processes. It will also oversee Internal Audit and External Audit, helping to ensure efficient and effective assurance arrangements are in place.

The independent member will attend meetings at least four times per year and play a key role by providing experience, knowledge and expertise to make a contribution to the Audit Committee, bringing an objective perspective to help the Council provide the highest standard of corporate governance arrangements.

Conditions for Application

  • Applicants must not be or have been an officer of any of the 2 legacy Councils (i.e. Ards Borough Council and North Down Borough Council)
  • Applicants should have no significant business dealings with the Council
  • Applicants should have no connection with any political group

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The independent member will contribute to the Audit Committee’s responsibilities:

Governance, risk and control

  1. To review the Council’s corporate governance arrangements against the good governance framework and consider annual governance reports and assurances.
  2. To review the Annual Governance Statement prior to approval and consider whether it properly reflects the risk environment and supporting assurances.
  3. To consider the Council’s framework of assurance and ensure that it adequately addresses the risks and priorities of the Council.
  4. To monitor the effective development and operation of risk management in the Council.
  5. To consider reports on the effectiveness of internal controls and monitor the implementation of agreed actions.
  6. To review the assessment of fraud risks and potential harm to the Council from fraud and corruption.
  7. To monitor the counter-fraud strategy, actions and resources.

Internal Audit

  1. To approve the Internal Audit charter.
  2. To approve the risk-based Internal Audit plan, including Internal Audit’s resource requirements.
  3. To make appropriate enquiries of both Management and the Internal Auditor to determine if there are any inappropriate scope or resource limitations.
  4. To consider reports from the Internal Auditor on Internal Audit’s performance during the year.
  5. To consider the Internal Auditor’s annual report.
  6. To consider summaries of the specific audit reports as requested.
  7. To receive reports outlining the action taken where the Internal Auditor has concluded that Management has accepted a level of risk that may be unacceptable to the Council or there are concerns about progress with the implementation of agreed actions.
  8. To contribute to the Quality Assurance and Improvement Programme and in particular, to the external quality assessment of Internal Audit that takes place at least once every five years.
  9. To consider a report on the effectiveness of Internal Audit to support the Annual Governance Statement.

External audit

  1. To consider the External Auditor’s annual letter, relevant reports, and the report to those charged with governance.

Financial reporting

  1. To review the annual statement of accounts.
  2. To consider the External Auditor’s report to those charged with governance on issues arising from the audit of the accounts.

The above list of duties and responsibilities are a summary of the main duties and responsibilities that the post holder will be required to contribute to and may be varied.

ARDS and NORTH DOWN BOROUGH COUNCIL

PERSON SPECIFICATION

INDEPENDENT AUDIT COMMITTEE MEMBER

Applicants must clearly demonstrate evidence of meeting the essential and desirable criteria as set out below. Only information contained in the application form will be considered at the shortlisting stage.

Criterion

Qualifications / Essential / Desirable
Currently a Member of one of the CCAB bodies or equivalent / Essential

Experience

5 years’ experience working at senior management level in the public, private, voluntary or community sector.
5 years’ financial management experience (accountancy, audit or management of a finance function)
Applications may be considered from those who do not hold the qualifications set out above but who can demonstrate at least 10 years’ experience as set out above. / Essential
Essential

Skills and Personal Attributes

Application of the principles of corporate governance and risk management / Essential
Ability to understand complex issues and use of good analytical skills when reviewing information to arrive at a balanced decision / Essential
Demonstrate objectivity, integrity and discretion in making decisions / Essential
Possess effective interpersonal skills that have allowed you to develop good communication skills both written and oral and the ability to co-operate with others in a Committee or group setting / Essential
Previous experience of being on an Audit Committee. / Desirable

Other

Available to work after hours, evenings, to facilitate meetings / Essential
Follow and sign up to the Northern Ireland Local Government Code of Conduct for Councillors, including recording any declarations of interest (financial or otherwise) in the Council’s Register of Interests. / Essential