National Audit Office graduate jobs

National Audit Office careers and training scheme

The National Audit Office is an independent body responsible for auditing government. The NAO also produces Value-For-Money studies that examine how well public money is spent. The NAO is an organisation you read about all the time, without realising it. We are mentioned almost daily in the media as the author of reports on an incredible array of subjects. Many of our studies are of vital importance to the nation.

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The Company

The National Audit Office (NAO) is independent of government and the Civil Service. We audit the accounts of all government departments and a wide range of other public sector bodies and produce around 60 Value for Money reports a year for Parliament on the economy, efficiency and effectiveness with which departments and other bodies have used their resources in delivering particular projects. We also have a number of international clients including the United Nations and the International Criminal Court. Our Financial Audit and Value for Money work helps save the country millions of pounds a year (more than £1 billion in 2011) and helps drive improvements in the delivery of public services.

Our work is ‘big hitting’, high quality, varied and worthwhile. It has a real impact on the nation. Our value for money reports, for example, lead to positive changes in the way central government delivers public services and does business. Our financial audit work covers all central government departments. It’s hard to imagine a more varied, complex and high profile group of clients or a more interesting time to join us.

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Live Jobs

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Training & Profiles

We provide a very successful graduate professional training scheme, leading to a qualification as a Chartered Accountant (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales). We take graduates from any discipline. What matters is not so much the subject graduates have studied – it is more about whether they demonstrate the analytical skills combined with the ability to work with others and to present and influence with impact and passion. We are also looking for people who are excited about our work and who have the ‘get up and go’ to achieve results in a highly professional and challenging environment.

Here are some of the things you should know about our graduate scheme:

Big on challenge...

Our trainees get involved in our financial audit work, auditing the accounts of central government departments and bodies, and also have opportunities to work on our high profile value for money studies. We offer a fantastic package if you want the responsibility and the opportunity to make an impact from the very start of your career.

Big on careers...

As well as our first class professional training scheme, we provide a range of ongoing career development opportunities designed to equip you with the skills you need to develop into a potential leader of tomorrow. Our very best people advance rapidly and we retain high levels of the people who qualify with us.

Big on reward...

We offer our graduate trainees a competitive salary and benefits package, details of which can be found on the website.

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Case Studies

Name: Charlotte Orr
Role: Assistant Auditor
Joined: September 2010

"I’ve had the opportunity to work on a number of different financial audits, including the Department of Health, the Rural Payments Agency and the Equality and Human Rights Commission. The range of clients at the NAO is really varied. I also feel like the work I’ve contributed is particularly relevant and important at such a challenging time for both government and the taxpayer"

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Information & FAQ

Minimum requirements: At least a 2.1 in any degree discipline and a minimum of 300 UCAS points. You must also comply with the UK Civil Service Nationality requirements (you must be a UK, EEA or Commonwealth national)

Locations: London and Newcastle

Starting salaries: London - £27,160, Newcastle £21,608

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