External Member of Audit and Risk Management Committee

Job Description

Term of Appointment - April 2022 to April 2025The City of London Corporation provides local government services for the financial and commercial heart of Britain - the Square Mile. It is committed to maintaining and enhancing the status of the businessCity as the worlds leading international financial and business centre through the policies it pursues and the high standard of services it provides.The City Corporation is currently seeking to appoint an External Member to join the Audit and Risk ManagementCommittee and Independent Audit Appointment Panel (IAAP). The responsibilities of the Committee are as follows: to oversee all systems, controls and processes that may have an impact on the Corporations ability to meets its vision and deliver its strategyand obligations, providing an appropriate level of challenge and perspective in your interaction with Corporation officers and the broader Committee; to review the annual financial statements before submission to Finance Committee for approval; and to ensurethat effective audit functions are in place both internal and external; adequate risk management processes are in place and followed; and an adequate internal control environment is established; and, appoint an external auditor for the audit of City of LondonCorporation accounts.The Committee carries out the following areas of work:Audit: Consider and approve the annual internal and external audit plans; Receive reports from the Head of Audit and Risk Management, and request additional reports where necessary,on the extent to which the City of London Corporation can rely on its system of internal control, and obtain reasonable assurance that the City of London Corporations objectives will be achieved effectively; Prior to the presentation to the Court, considerthe audited annual accounts of the local authority funds, pension fund, various non-local authority funds and the Annual Governance Statement. Receive and consider the formal reports, letters and recommendations of the City of London Corporations externalauditors and make recommendations relating to the approval of the accounts (to the Finance Committee); Meet with the external auditors of the City Fund and the various non-local authority funds at least once in each calendar year, and with the Head of InternalAudit in respect of internal controls, in closed session; Report back as necessary to the Court of Common Council.Risk Management: Monitor and oversee the City of London Corporations risk management strategy and to be satisfied that the authoritys assuranceframework properly reflects the risk environment; Consider all audit or external inspection reports relating to any department at the City of London Corporation and seek assurance that action has been taken where necessary; Receive an annual report from relevantOfficers reviewing the effectiveness of the City of Londons risk management strategy; Participate in monthly risk challenge sessions with Chief Officers to discuss Departmental Risk Registers and challenge departmental risk management arrangements.CounterFraud and Resilience Ensure that appropriate counter fraud, defence and resilience activities are in place.Responsibilities of the role in the Independent Audit Appointment Panel are as follows: Carry out the procurement exercise in the selection of a newauditor.Whilst we are willing to consider applicants with other areas of expertise, the appointee will ideally: have previous experience of working at board or committee level, particularly including knowledge and experience of one or more of the following:audit accounting internal control governance (including risk management) counter fraud; possess excellent communication and listening skills, demonstrating constructive challenge and focus on improvement and outcomes; be able to deal with issues with objectivity,impartiality, fair mindedness and in a just manner, providing a reasoned independent view that adds value; have the capacity for clear thinking and analysis of detail and strategy; be able to balance practicality against theory, showing political awarenessand an understanding of the role and objectives of the City of London Corporation;The successful candidate will need to be available to attend and participate in the meetings of the Audit and Risk Management Committee. This includes: Audit and Risk ManagementCommittee meetings: 5 or 6 meetings per year, typically on Tuesdays from 2-4 pm. Committee meetings are held at the Guildhall, EC2. As an external Member, you may be asked to serve on the Police Resources, Risk and Estates Committee, representing the Auditand Risk Management Committee. Informal Risk Challenge Sessions: meetings held monthly, typically on Wednesdays from 9-10 am. All meetings are held virtually on Microsoft Teams. Any relevant training sessions for the Committee. Meetings of the IndependentAudit Appointment Panel (scheduled as needed).PLEASE NOTE: Candidates for the role will make an application for the position, and the selection of the appointee will be approved by the Court of Common Council. The successful candidate will be required to adhereto the Members Code of Conduct. Recent past Members of the Court of Common Council or recent former City Corporation employees will be ineligible to serve in this capacity. Close friends or relatives of any Member or officer will be ineligible as will employeesof any organisation of which the City Corporation is a client.Whilst the positions are voluntary, reasonable travel costs will be reimbursed.The closing date for the receipt of completed application forms is 12 noon on 29 November 2021.Interviews will takeplace in January 2022.The City of London Corporation is committed to Equal Opportunities and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.