Principal Auditor - M&G plc. - #2116949

At M&G, our purpose is to give everyone real confidence to put their money to work. With a heritage dating back more than 175 years, we have a long history of innovation in savings and investments, combining asset management and insurance expertise to offer a wide range of solutions.

Our two distinct operating segments, Asset Management and Life, work together to provide access to balanced, long-term investment and savings solutions.

Through telling it like it is, owning it now and moving it forward together with care and integrity; we are creating an exceptional place to work for exceptional talent.

We will consider flexible working arrangements for any of our roles and offer workplace adjustments to ensure you have the support you need to succeed in your role.

Role Overview:

Internal Audit is an independent, objective assurance function that is critical to meeting our business ambitions whilst also protecting the interests of our customers by ensuring that the internal control, risk and governance frameworks are always fit for purpose. We look beyond financial risks and statements to consider wider issues such as the organisation's reputation, growth, its impact on the environment and the way we treat our customers and employees.

As a Principal Auditor and occasional leader you will be helping to deliver meaningful improvements across the business by engaging with stakeholders to identify risk and control improvements across a range of different business functions; helping you develop an understanding of the business as well as building confidence & presentation skills through exposure to Senior Management.

This is a key role in the Internal Audit function for those with at least five years' experience in financial services or internal / external audit. The role is intended to bring the role holder up to the level where they are able to work independently and have:

• a high level of understanding in the workings of both a Financial Services Group and an Internal Audit function;
• a good understanding of the behaviours required to succeed in a respectful workplace where teamwork is essential;
• an ability to quickly assess key operational processes and identify operational risks and controls, and deficiencies / inefficiencies inherent within them;
• an ability to plan and undertake complete audit assignments without supervision;
• an ability to effectively lead and oversee a team of staff with different skills / specialisms;
• an ability to articulate effectively both orally and in writing with minimal correction needed; and,
• confidence to challenge assumptions and articulate findings to senior stakeholders.

To succeed you will need to demonstrate the following qualities:
• be eager to learn, to take on new challenges, and to take ownership of your work;
• be able to build relationships to work collaboratively;
• be able to challenge, be challenged, and to value and respect the views of others;
• be willing to share your knowledge and ideas and ask for help when you need it;
• be able to lead and motivate others;
• be able to review and process information quickly; and,
• be able to communicate clearly to meet the needs of your audience.

Your main responsibilities will include:

Planning & Risk Assessment

• Attending and running meetings with auditees to develop an understanding of business processes.
• Coordinating the collation and review of information in the areas of the audit for which you are responsible to help identify key risks, controls, and scope areas.
• Preparing elements of the key planning documentation such as audit planning memorandum, risk and control matrix including testing strategies as directed and required in accordance with the requirements of the Internal Audit Standards Manual.
• Update TeamMate+ records of processes, activity and risk as directed / required.

Audit Performance

• Travelling to different sites when necessary to meet relevant staff and review documents and information.
• Take responsibility for the design and performance of audit testing across different business/operational areas as directed / required.
• Producing and maintaining audit files and working papers to a consistently high standard in accordance with the requirements of the Internal Audit Standards Manual.
• Treating the personal data of our customers, employees and other individuals lawfully and in accordance with current Data Protection laws, and other related legislation.

Audit Reporting

• Discussing the results of audit testing and any resultant observations with stakeholders and/or the Field Manager on the audit assignment.
• Raising exceptions to inform observations and/or drafting observations to a very good standard in line with the requirements of the Internal Audit Standards Manual for inclusion in the draft report with minimal correction required.
• Proposing ratings for issues raised, and in some cases the overall report, in line with the requirements of the Internal Audit Standards Manual.
• Overseeing and reviewing the documentation of audit observations written by more junior team members.
• Where required; drafting other elements of final reporting such as summary and appendices to a good standard in line with the requirements of the Internal Audit Standards Manual such that minimal correction is needed.
• Performing issue assurance as directed and assisting with workflow process on MetricsStream and TM+, and support coordination and monitoring of issue closure process.

Business Partnering

• Discussing the audit testing to be performed with affected stakeholders.
• Assisting / leading in the discussion of the results of audit testing with stakeholders to agree observations to be raised.
• Building relationships with stakeholders through acting with integrity, professionalism, and respect at all times to ensure that the Internal Audit function is seen in the correct light.

People

• Provide meaningful assignment appraisals to help develop more junior staff.
• Assisting and helping to train more junior members of the team in a constructive and productive manner.
• Providing constructive 360 feedback during audit and in post audit assignment debriefs and proactively seeking for feedback from colleagues in the function including from more junior colleagues.
• Develop a challenging but realistic personal development plan with your mentor manager.
• Developing good professional working relationships with colleagues behaving in a manner consistent with the Function's Ways of Working document.
• Support effective time managemen