Benefits

The Commission is committed to diversity and encourages applications from all sectors of the community irrespective of ethnic origin, gender, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability or religion.

Excellent training and personal development opportunities

We recognise that people are our chief asset and have made a substantial investment in people development which includes a wide variety of training courses, professional certifications, e-learning, mentoring programmes and career counselling. Our aim has been to create a working environment that captures the potential of all of our staff and uses their skills and talents to add the maximum possible value to our work. This includes putting together a learning and development review plan on a yearly basis, which will encourage you to take responsibility for your own growth and progression within your role and through the organisation.

An inclusive organisation

Many new recruits comment on the openness and welcome they experience when joining us. Our people strategy aims to help the Commission become a more diverse organisation which is representative of the communities we serve and benefits from the rich variety of skills and experience a diverse workforce can bring.

Flexible working

We are committed to attracting and retaining high calibre employees and being an employer of choice. Flexible working arrangements are designed to allow employees to balance their working life with other areas of their life, including parental and caring responsibilities, life-long learning, charity or voluntary work, leisure activities and other interests. Subject to the needs of the business, our customers and clients, we offer a variety of flexible working conditions including part-time working, term time working, job share, flexible start and finish times, annualised hours, career breaks and occasional home working.

Flexible benefits

The Commission’s flexible benefits scheme – Choices – is designed to enable you to structure your reward package to most effectively reflect your personal circumstances and needs. Within this scheme you have the opportunity to buy or sell up to 5 days annual leave, and buy various discounted insurance policies and schemes for yourself and your family. The range of benefits that you can choose from include a health cash plan scheme, childcare vouchers, discounted ticket scheme, critical illness insurance, and employee/partner health screening. Flexible benefits may change annually.

New joiners are required to complete a probationary period of 6 months from their start date. Subject to line management's assessment of satisfactory performance, conduct and attendance, employment is confirmed at the end of the period.

Performance related pay

There is an opportunity to earn an annual performance related bonus subject to the terms of the performance management scheme in operation from time to time. Further details of the performance related bonus will be available in the guidance on the performance management system.

Holiday

Holiday entitlement is 27.5 days per annum and 8 days public holidays.

Car

Some posts have a business need for a company car or car allowance.

We currently also offer a transport allowance to staff who are eligible for a car but who choose to use alternative methods of travel for business journeys. This scheme is currently being reviewed and further details will be discussed during interview if this benefit is applicable to the role.

Pension scheme

The Audit Commission offers membership of a defined benefit (contracted-out final salary) pension scheme. The scheme provides an annual pension of one eightieth of final pensionable salary for each year of reckonable service together with a lump sum of three eightieths of final salary for each year of reckonable service. The scheme also provides for a lump sum of 4 times pensionable salary to be paid on death in service together with provisions for a survivor's pension. Employees currently contribute 6% of pensionable salary and the balance of cost is met by contributions by the Commission (currently 17% of pensionable salaries). The Commission’s Pension Scheme is a member of the public sector transfer club.

Further details on the pension scheme are contained in the Member's explanatory booklet which will be provided on joining.

Environmental benefits

The Commission is committed to green initiatives and wherever possible aims to recycle, re-use and reduce waste. Green travel is a Government backed initiative designed to ease the problems of traffic congestion and poor air quality, whilst reducing our carbon footprint. The Commission has, as part of its flexible benefits scheme, a bike and associated safety equipment purchase scheme which offers discounts and enables staff to buy a bike and pay for it by instalments deducted from salary.

EAP

The Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is an independent service for Commission’s staff and their family members and provides confidential advice, support and information on a range of personal or work-related matters. The EAP service is provided to staff and their family members free of charge. New joiners are able to take up most flexible benefits within approximately one month of commencing their position, with all benefits being available to amend on an annual basis during the month of October.

Staff networks

The Commission supports equality and diversity. We have a variety of staff networks to provide support, advice and information to Commission staff. We also consult with the staff network groups when developing new policies and practices.

Each network has a national chair or co-ordinator and offers various regional and national activities and opportunities for actual or virtual contact and support.

The groups are:

CitAC - Christians in the Audit Commission
DART - Disability Awareness Raising Team
ENRG - Ethnic Relations Network Group
OUT - Lesbian, Gay, Transsexual and Transgender group
FlexiNet - Part Time Staff network

Travel card (Millbank staff only)

A London Underground travel card from home to office (up to Zone 6) is issued to staff in London. Please note that this benefit attracts Fringe Benefit Tax.

If you would like to read more about our benefits please download our Terms and Conditions document.