The role of the National Audit Office is to:
Audit the accounts of all government departments and agencies as well as a wide range of other public bodies
Report to Parliament on the economy, efficiency and effectiveness with which these bodies have used public money.
The Audit and inspection rights are vested in the head of the National Audit Office, the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG). The staff of the National Audit Office carry out these tasks on his behalf.
We hold government to account for the way it uses public money.
We support, by helping public service managers improve performance.
We safeguard the interests of citizens who as taxpayers are responsible for paying for public services.
We champion the interests of citizens as users of public services.
Without realising it, the NAO is an organisation you read about all the time. They are mentioned almost daily in the media as the author of reports on an incredible array of subjects and many of their studies are of vital importance to the nation.
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). The NAO’s exam pass rates for the ICAEW exams are consistently around 10 per cent above the national average. Not only that, but the NAO has a history of ICAEW prize winners. Our trainees don’t just do well, they do very well!
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.
Strong technical and professional skills Alongside your professional training and on-the-job experience, we provide a whole range of courses covering the latest accounting and auditing techniques, as well as the political and government framework in which we operate. You will also be able to attend seminars and presentations by colleagues keen to pass on their knowledge and expertise.
Developing you as a manager We will invest in developing you as a manager and leader through our suite of programmes, including ‘Essential Skills for Managers’ for those new to management, through to strategic level programmes aimed at Senior Managers.
Future Leaders Programme After qualifying you could apply to join our Future Leaders Programme, which aims to develop those with the potential to progress quickly to become the NAO’s leaders of tomorrow. The scheme is run in partnership with the Roffey Park Institute – a leading business school.
Career Building We provide excellent opportunities for career progression and job growth. Our commitment to helping you realise your full potential is evidenced both by the rapid advancement of our very best people and the high levels of retention of people who qualify with us.
You will need to have attained at least 300 UCAS points (or equivalent) and have, or expect to achieve, a 2.1 degree or better in any subject.
Academic achievement isn’t enough. You will need to have strong analytical skills combined with the ability to work with others and to present and influence with impact and passion. You will be excited about what the National Audit Office is all about, and you’ll have the ‘get up and go’ to achieve results in a highly professional environment.
Trainees join either our London or Newcastle offices, and you will be able to register a preference for either or both locations. The majority of trainees are based at the London office. Those who successfully complete the on-line application form and have met our initial criteria will attend a Stage 1 assessment which involves testing a range of aptitudes and an opportunity to ask questions about the scheme. This should take around half a day.
If you are successful at Stage 1 then you will be invited to our Stage 2 process, which will include a number of individual and group exercises as well as an interview.
Offers are conditional on a number of pre-employment checks including: security; verification of your academic grades entered on your application; and employment history.