A&C - Risk Consulting - Public & Social Sector Graduate Trainee - September 2025 - Manchester

Forvis Mazars; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job description

A&C - Risk Consulting - Public & Social Sector Graduate Trainee - September 2025 - Manchester

As a school leaver apprentice, here's what will await you during your four-year training contract:

In this role, you will conduct internal audit reviews of our clients' operations in specific areas. You will be responsible for undertaking internal audits into individual areas of the client's business, providing recommendations that are proportionate and in line with public sector best practice. You will undertake all aspects of the internal audit from opening meeting to report writing/audit closure. The audits that you will undertake will be varied and diverse and will have a direct meaningful impact on our clients and the communities they serve. You will help them to shape their internal processes, reduce their exposure to risk, and highlight the opportunities facing them.

We are now operating a hybrid working model, so as a trainee you will split your time between working from home, visiting the office, client sites when required, or studying for your professional exams.

During your first two years you will:

• Perform internal audits by testing and reviewing documentation to establish a client's exposure to risk and the effectiveness of the processes in place to mitigate risks;
• Obtain relevant information from clients whilst building an effective rapport with client staff;
• Undertake internal audit testing using a range of tools and methods in order to review and provide recommendations on the client's business operations;
• Develop a thorough understanding of the nature of the client's business, best practice, and applicable regulations;
• Take ownership for an internal audit project within the first two months, including providing feedback to clients verbally and through written internal audit reports;
• Develop personal and professional skills through regular training, with the support of your team and your line manager.

During your third year you will:

• Start to be involved in supporting client managers in the planning stages of work, such as attending scoping meetings and drafting internal audit Terms of Reference documents;
• Start to specialise in particular sub-sectors or types of audits where you have developed an interest;
• Increase your confidence in providing your own solutions and ideas to complex client scenarios;
• Perform more challenging technical audits under the guidance of the relevant Forvis Mazars manager;
• Gain proficiency in report writing, and begin to review the work of more junior team members;
• Be able to aid junior team members by providing support and feedback.

In your final year you will:

• Be able to complete complex audit reviews with minimal supervision from Mazars managers;
• Act as a point of contact for both internal Forvis Mazars management, junior members of the team, and clients, ensuring that the internal audit work of others is completed within required timeframes;
• Begin managing the operational delivery of client internal audit plans, including taking ownership for scoping meetings with clients to develop internal audit Terms of Reference documents;
• Develop client portfolio and contract management skills, that will put you on a pathway to the Assistant Manager grade;
• Gain exposure to Board-level client meetings, shadow managers who will be responsible for presenting our reports;
• Provide on-the-job advice, training, and supervision of junior staff, with the opportunity to take on Manager responsibilities.

You're joining us as a permanent employee, so the 4 years is only the beginning of your exceptional career journey at Forvis Mazars.

Who we're looking for

• On track or have A-level or equivalent qualifications. Strong academic performance is important; however, we understand that things don't always go to plan. Our recruitment process looks at your whole self – academic achievements as well as other experiences in which you have grown and developed.
• Deep curiosity to learn new things and is naturally inquisitive;
• The ability to think critically, solve problems, and share knowledge with others;
• A commitment to self-development and learning;
• Strong sense of ownership of duties and high levels of responsibility to deliver on promises;
• Always looks to try their best in all they do and always looking for ways to improve;
• Enjoys meeting and engaging with new people with an underlying respect for individuals, diversity, and integrity;
• Works well under pressure and have a positive ‘can-do' attitude if faced with challenging situations;
• A willingness to travel and adhere to our flexible working environment.

Training

• Fully funded professional qualification for this role: AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians), ACA (Association of Chartered Accountants), CPI (Certificate of Proficiency in Insolvency).

Our supportive culture includes coaching, mentorship, and one-on-one guidance. In addition to funding qualifications, we provide time off to study, and a blended training approach including in-person and virtual learning. You will be allocated a buddy before joining who will support you to settle into the team and navigate your first year at Forvis Mazars.

You will also receive comprehensive quality training and development to excel in your professional career; this includes development in professional excellence, client excellence, digital excellence, and technical excellence. Our goal is to support you in reaching your full potential and become a standout talent.

Additional job details

Location: Manchester

Contract, dates, and working times:

Start Date: 1 September 2025

How to apply

Click Apply to start your application now. This job will be available on Prospects until 31 March 2025.

At Forvis Mazars, we celebrate individuality and we thrive on teamwork. We give people the freedom to make a personal contribution to our shared purpose. We support one another to deliver quality, create change, and make an impact, so that everyone can reach their full potential.

That’s why Forvis Mazars is the smart choice.