About us
Start your career with the South West London Audit Partnership (SWLAP), an ambitious and forward-thinking internal audit team serving five London Boroughs (Richmond, Wandsworth, Kingston, Merton, and Sutton). We play a key role in helping local authorities deliver high-quality services to residents by providing independent advice, promoting good governance, and supporting continuous improvement. You’ll gain exposure to a diverse range of services and work alongside experienced professionals who are committed to developing your skills and career.
We are seeking a motivated Graduate Audit Trainee with strong analytical, communication and problem-solving skills and an interest in public sector auditing. As a Graduate Audit Trainee, you will become an integral member of our team, supporting audit assignments across all five councils and gaining valuable hands-on experience in audit testing, fieldwork and reporting. Working closely with experienced auditors, you will develop a broad understanding of local government services while developing the analytical, communication and problem-solving skills needed for a successful career in audit. SWLAP is committed to embracing innovation and technology in audit. You will have opportunities to work with data analytics, digital tools and emerging technologies to help deliver efficient and insightful audit work.
We are committed to supporting professional development and will support the successful candidate to work towards a recognised professional qualification in internal audit. The Partnership will fund an approved course of professional study and provide mentoring and practical experience to support your development and progression within the profession. You will support both our clients and colleagues, helping to ensure that audit work is delivered to a high standard, while contributing to our commitment to continuous improvement and upholding the vision and values of SWLAP.
Specific duties and responsibilities
- Support the delivery of audit engagements across council services and schools, undertaking testing, analysis and other audit work under the guidance of senior team members.
- Assist in planning, fieldwork and reporting activities across a range of service areas and partner councils. Liaise with clients, attend meetings, including scoping meetings and end of audit meetings.
- Plan and organise your work to high professional and quality standards within agreed time constraints and reporting deadlines.
- Extract and analyse data from a range of business systems, using appropriate audit techniques and digital tools to support audit testing and assurance work.
- Liaise with senior management, officers, and other parties where required.
- Maintain accurate audit records and support the effective administration of audit assignments.
Skills requirements
To be successful in this role, you will hold a degree, at upper second-class honours (2:1) and above, and be able to demonstrate experience, that has enabled you to develop strong analytical, research, critical thinking and communication skills. You will be able to gather, interpret and evaluate information from a variety of sources and reach evidence-based conclusions. You will be able to demonstrate the following:
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to gather, interpret and evaluate information from a variety of sources.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present findings clearly.
- Good organisational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
- A high level of attention to detail and a commitment to producing accurate, high-quality work.
- The ability to build effective working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels.
- Confidence in working with data and information, including proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications. An interest in using data, technology and innovative approaches to solve problems and improve the way audit work is delivered. Experience of using Power Platform tools, SQL, Python/R, or visualisation tools such as Power BI would be advantageous.
- Curiosity and a willingness to learn and develop technical knowledge of audit, risk management and internal controls.
This opportunity would suit an analytical, curious, motivated and enthusiastic individual who is keen to develop a rewarding career in public sector audit and make a meaningful contribution to improving services for local communities.
Indicative recruitment timeline
- Closing Date: Sunday 20th September 2026
- Shortlisting: w/c 21st September 2026
- Interviews: TBA
We may close this vacancy early once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
We offer a wide range of benefits designed to attract, develop, and reward our employees such as 40 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays), flexible working and a generous pension plan.
