FAQs

Your questions answered

This section contains the answers to questions that regularly crop up - if you have a query for our recruitment team, please check here first to see if the answer is available. If it's not, please contact us.

Questions

Answers

Do you offer secondments?
Yes, the Audit Commission considers secondments an opportunity to share knowledge between organisations and to ensure that our knowledge base is current. Secondments give individuals the chance to bring fresh ideas to the Commission and to gain new experience for their personal development. The majority of secondments are offered within the not-for-profit sector for a period of 3 to 18 months.

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Do you look for people with particular degrees or disciplines?
This will depend on the specific job being advertised. The Audit Commission offers diverse opportunities in areas such as marketing, audit, inspection, publications and public services research. Please check the individual role profiles for details of the qualifications required.

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Can I apply without a work permit?No, you must have the unrestricted ability to live and work in the UK to apply for permanent positions at the Audit Commission.

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I applied to the Audit Commission a while ago and was unsuccessful. Can I re-apply?It is always worth asking for feedback as to why your application was unsuccessful. We usually encourage applicants to re-apply although it may depend on which post you are applying for and how long ago you applied.

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How do you screen people against criteria?Your application is screened against the criteria for the role (as detailed on the person specification). It is therefore important when completing the application form to ensure that you address all the criteria on the person specification. On the basis of your application, you may be invited to attend a series of interviews and/or assessment days. A mix of recruitment specialists and trained managers from the relevant business area will conduct these.

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What qualities do you look for in applicants?Naturally, we'll want to satisfy ourselves that you have the skills and qualifications necessary for the job in question. Beyond that, we'll be looking for personal skills such as initiative and teamworking ability, as well as good communication skills. For more senior and managerial positions, your proven leadership ability will be an important factor.

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When will I find out if I've been selected for interview?We will aim to contact you within 14 days of the closing date (usually sooner) with the result of your application. If you are selected for interview, we will usually contact you by telephone, so please ensure that you provide the most appropriate daytime contact telephone number or email address on your application form.

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What does the 'Positive About Disabled People' symbol mean?The symbol indicates the Commission's attempt to create a more diverse workforce by encouraging applications from people with disabilities. In committing to this scheme we guarantee an interview to any applicant with a disability that meets the minimum criteria, no matter how many applicants are 'in front of' them. Minimum criteria will be detailed in the information pack for the role. Therefore it is important that you tell us in your application if you have a disability.

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What should I do if I have a disability that may affect my performance in any stage of the selection process?The Audit Commission is keen to encourage applications from people with disabilities and we are proud to be a disability symbol user. Use of the symbol 'Positive About Disabled People' means that we make a commitment to interview any applicants with a disability that meets the minimum criteria for the job. The minimum criteria will be indicated as essential criteria on the person specification for the role. We will make reasonable adjustments to the selection process for applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you think that you have a disability that may impact upon your performance in any aspect of our selection process please let us know in advance.

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Can I claim travel expenses for my interview? You are able to claim expenses to cover your travel from your home address to the Audit Commission within corporate guidelines. You can request an interview expenses claim form from the recruitment team.

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How soon will I hear from you after an interview?We aim to inform you of the outcome within seven days after the interview. We may contact you by telephone or post dependent on circumstances.

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What happens if I get offered a job?First, we will make you a verbal offer, then send an offer pack (made up of a contract, new starter forms and a health questionnaire) and approach your referees. The offer is conditional on receipt of satisfactory references and medical clearance and we are unable to arrange a start date until this process has been completed (this takes an average of two weeks).

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Will there be much travel involved?This depends on the role for which you are applying. The Audit Commission remit covers public services across England and Wales and there is sometimes the need to spend some days/overnight stays away from your usual base. This is usually in order to attend events/conferences and visit other Audit Commission offices or our customers in local government, the police and the NHS. Occassionally it could be to attend an event/conferences or training course.

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How would my performance be appraised?Progress is monitored both informally, in discussions with your manager, and more formally through our performance management system. This is an opportunity for you to set clear goals for the forthcoming year and identify the skills and support you will need to achieve them. There is an opportunity to benefit from pay progression and a bonus scheme, which are linked to performance.

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What opportunities are there for career development?All vacancies are advertised internally across the Audit Commission providing opportunity for new challenges. The Commission also offers development centres, career counselling and management development programmes to assist employees in their career progression. See also Career Development.

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Do you support training towards professional qualifications?We are committed to professional training for qualifications and continuing professional development for all staff. Staff are encouraged to take relevant professional qualifications, subject to organisational need and their capabilities and with regard to operational and budgetary constraints.

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Will my length of service at my existing company/organisation be taken into account for pension/holiday purposes within the Audit Commission?The Audit Commission is a member of the Public Sector Transfer Scheme so if you currently hold a public sector pension, this will transfer into our pension scheme. There is however no continuous service in respect of other benefits such as holiday entitlement.

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What's the social life like at the Audit Commission?There is a very relaxed and sociable atmosphere at the Commission. Working relationships are informal and our social events range from informal drinks and quiz nights after work to more formal outdoor pursuits weekends, charity events, and sport clubs.

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