Non-Executive Director

PSAA’s Role

Public Sector Audit Appointments Limited (PSAA) is an independent, not-for-profit company, limited by guarantee, incorporated by the Local Government Association in August 2014.

In July 2016, the Secretary of State specified PSAA as the appointing person for principal local government and police bodies under the provisions of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 and The Local Audit (Appointing Person) Regulations 2015. Local government bodies in this context includes local authorities, combined authorities, police and fire bodies, national parks, passenger transport executives, waste authorities, functional bodies and other specified bodies.

As the appointing person PSAA is responsible for appointing auditors and setting fees for the principal bodies that choose to opt into our national scheme, overseeing auditor independence issues and monitoring audit firms’ compliance with the contracts we enter into with them.

PSAA’s Board and key governance arrangements

The PSAA Board currently comprises a non-executive Chairman, Bill Butler, and four other non-executive directors. The Board is supported by a highly experienced officer team. Information on Board members and the Senior Management team is available here, including an organisation chart.

PSAA has voluntarily adopted full accounts reporting, and has recently published its Annual report and accounts for 2022/23. The accounts for Public Sector Audit Appointments Limited (PSAA) are not consolidated into these statements because the LGA does not exercise or have the ability to exercise control over PSAA and the LGA is not in a position to benefit from its results and financial performance.

We are looking to appoint a dynamic and passionate individual to join the Board.

The ideal candidate will have proven experience operating at a strategic level and demonstrate a deep commitment to public services with an interest in public audit and value for money.

We are interested in a range of skills and expertise to complement the existing board skill set and would encourage applications from individuals with expertise in people leadership and managing change, significant experience in Local Government finance, or a background in commercial audit to apply.

All candidates should be able to demonstrate:

• An unwavering commitment to the principles of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, with evidence to support this.
• A good understanding of the nature of PSAA’s business, the public audit regime, and the responsibilities of local public auditors;
• The ability to work collaboratively with others to form an effective team
• Experience working at Director level or above in their respective fields.
• Knowledge, understanding and commitment to the valuable contribution which an effective external audit service can make to help assure delivery of efficient local services and support public accountability;
• An understanding and appreciation of governance, risk and control arrangements;
• The capacity to bring independent and objective judgement to the Board’s deliberations having careful regard to relevant legislation and regulations;
• The ability to contribute to the leadership and effective oversight of all aspects of the company’s policies and performance with appropriate emphasis on ensuring that PSAA’s specified statutory functions, funded by local bodies, are delivered effectively and efficiently.

Previous experience as a Non-Executive Director is not required for this role. Comprehensive training and support will be provided as part of your onboarding.

The Board approves strategy and exercises oversight in relation to the company’s work in a range of important areas, including:

• Procuring audit services from registered local audit suppliers.
• Ensuring effective management of contracts with suppliers.
• Appointing auditors to each of the eligible bodies that opt into the company’s national scheme.
• Setting scales of fees and, where appropriate, determining fee variations, payable by audited bodies; and
• Managing relationships with local bodies, contracted firms and other organisations involved in local audit with the aim of building a more stable, resilient and sustainable system.

The Board’s detailed responsibilities include:

• Establishing and taking forward the statutory functions and objectives of PSAA consistent with its overall strategic direction.
• Ensuring that PSAA operates within the limits of its statutory authority and in accordance with any other conditions or administrative requirements relating to the use of public funds.
• Receiving and reviewing regular financial information concerning the conduct and management of PSAA’s business and ensuring that it is informed in a timely manner about any relevant matters in relation to the company’s activities.
• Approving and publishing the company’s annual report and accounts.
• Demonstrating high standards of corporate governance and independence.
• Taking a balanced view of the company’s approach to managing opportunity and risk.

Public Sector Audit Appointments (PSAA) is committed to promoting and valuing diversity in every aspect of the work it carries out. PSAA will strive to ensure that:

• All individuals (employees, suppliers and clients) are treated fairly, with dignity and respect.
• Opportunities provided will be open to all.
• The organisation benefits from the skills, talents and experience offered by a diverse workforce reflecting all sections of the community.
• The organisation builds a working environment based on inclusiveness and merit.
• Any and all personal data used in connection with this Policy shall be collected, held, and processed in accordance with the PSAA’s Data Protection Policy.

PSAA recruitment processes are designed to attract applications from all sections of society and to ensure fair treatment throughout the recruitment and selection process.

This includes:

• Carrying out diversity monitoring of all applicants for jobs and reviewing such information regularly to identify any diversity issues that should be addressed.
• Checking that job and candidate specifications are relevant and non-discriminatory.
• Ensuring that the wording and images used in job adverts reflect and appeal to all sections of society.
• Offering effective induction and training to all recruits and make reasonable adjustments to the working environment or work arrangements to assist people with disabilities to secure their integration into the workplace.

Applications are to be submitted by midday on the 6^th November 2024 via this page or via email to The Whitehall & Industry Group via talent@wig.co.uk

To apply, please upload a CV, covering letter showing how you meet our requirements and an Equalities Monitoring Form – downloadable via the WIG website. Your data will be stored separately from your application and will at no time be connected to you or your application.

We are committed to ensuring that all candidates can participate in the application process fairly. Should you require any reasonable adjustments or arrangements, please include this information in your application. Alternatively, please contact [email protected] for further information on how we can support you throughout the recruitment process.

After the closing date, the appointing panel will longlist candidates’ suitability for the role based on evidence provided in the applications against the Person Specification criteria outlined above.

For further information about the role, please refer to the posting on our website, or contact Cezanne Ritchie-Hutchinson – Talent Manager, The Whitehall & Industry Group via talent@wig.co.uk or 0207 227 4787