A&C - Risk Consulting Public & Social Sector School Leaver Apprenticeship - Manchester

A&C - Risk Consulting Public & Social Sector School Leaver Apprenticeship - Manchester

About the Advisory & Consulting Team

At Forvis Mazars, our Advisory and Consulting service line is an award-winning, global group of successful, entrepreneurial teams. The scope of roles across our service line is broad and varied, which is great for our team and clients. The diversity of our service offering enables us to make the time we spend with our clients count by helping them take meaningful, key decisions with confidence and meet their goals.

In Advisory & Consulting, collaboration is at the core of all we do. We have over 800 experts across our teams who operate as subject matter experts across our 6 business units:

• Deals and Financing
• Financial Services Consulting
• Consulting
• Infrastructure Finance
• Forensics and Completion
• Restructuring & Insolvency

The aim is to add value to clients by finding solutions to a range of financial issues as one collaborative team.

Join a team that prioritises quality and trust. Our team is commercial, pragmatic, and reactive to the changes in the market whilst also taking the time to ensure our approach is personal and productive.

About the Risk Consulting Public & Social Sector Team

The Public and Social Sector Risk Consulting team offers internal audit, advisory, and other assurance services across multiple organisations within the public & social sector.

• We provide clients with clarity over the performance of their risk management processes and raise recommendations for improvement where required.
• Working in the public and social sector enables you to meet and support like-minded individuals at your clients who really want to make a difference in society.
• You can directly contribute to supporting local communities and be involved with some of the biggest issues in society.

Public and social sector organisations are unique and important. At Forvis Mazars, we work with a wide variety of organisations across multiple sub-sectors. Acting independently, we support public scrutiny, hold organisations to account, support continual improvement, and strive to make society a better place.

Our team provides distinctive audit and advisory services across six sectors:

• Local government: Among the top 4 firms providing internal, IT, and contract audits, as well as anti-fraud and corruption services. The Apex Framework, delivered by Croydon Council and Forvis Mazars, provides internal audit resources to over 40 local authorities and companies.
• Education: Working with universities, sixth form colleges, academies, and schools. Services include specialist funding audits, data return and legislative reviews, student experience audits, apprenticeships, safeguarding, and governance.
• Central government: Working with Arm's Length Bodies (ALBs), including museums, galleries, research institutions, and regulators. Trainee audits have included managing art collections, assessing retail operations, reviewing grassroots sports funding, evaluating sustainable fuel management, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and railway inspection arrangements.
• Housing: #1 provider of Internal Audit services to the social housing sector across England and Wales. Audits cover fire safety, income collection, and anti-social behaviour, serving almost 100 clients.
• Police: Providing internal audits to the Office of Police & Crime Commissioners and associated Police Forces. Areas covered include corporate services (Finance, HR) and operational areas (Victim Services, Firearms Licensing, Seized Property).
• Charities: Serving household name charities in fields such as conservation, care, and medical research. Unique audits include reviewing fundraising strategies, raffles, lotteries, and volunteer management.

Hear from one of our trainees, Hannah:

"There is a strong support network and culture at Forvis Mazars which encourages you to be inquisitive and engaging from the outset – improving and growing as an individual is really encouraged here."

About the Role

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

• Conduct internal audit reviews of clients’ operations in specific areas.
• Undertake internal audits of individual areas of the client’s business.
• Provide recommendations that are proportionate and in line with public sector best practice.
• Manage all aspects of the internal audit from opening meeting to report writing and audit closure.

The audits you undertake will be varied and diverse, with a direct meaningful impact on clients and the communities they serve. You will help clients shape internal processes, reduce exposure to risk, and highlight opportunities.

Hybrid working model: You will split your time between working from home, visiting the office, client sites when required, or studying for professional exams.

Training Progression

During your first two years you will:

• Perform internal audits by testing and reviewing documentation to establish a client’s exposure to risk and effectiveness of mitigating processes
• Obtain relevant information from clients while building effective rapport with client staff
• Undertake internal audit testing using a range of tools and methods
• Develop a thorough understanding of the client’s business, best practice, and applicable regulations
• Take ownership for an internal audit project within the first two months, providing verbal and written feedback
• Develop personal and professional skills through regular training with support from your team and line manager

During your third year you will:

• Support client managers in planning stages of work, including scoping meetings and drafting Terms of Reference
• Begin to specialise in particular sub-sectors or types of audits
• Increase confidence in providing solutions to complex client scenarios
• Perform more challenging technical audits under guidance
• Gain proficiency in report writing and begin reviewing work of more junior team members
• Aid junior team members by providing support and feedback

During your final year you will:

• Complete complex audit reviews with minimal supervision
• Act as a point of contact for internal management, junior team members, and clients
• Manage operational delivery of client internal audit plans, including scoping meetings
• Develop client portfolio and contract management skills, on a pathway to Assistant Manager
• Gain exposure to Board-level client meetings and shadow managers presenting reports
• Provide on-the-job advice, training, and supervision of junior staff, with opportunity to take on Manager responsibilities

You are joining as a permanent employee, so the four years is only the beginning of your career journey at Forvis Mazars.

Who We're Looking For

• On track or have obtained A-levels 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 a naturally inquisitive mindset
• Ability to think critically, solve problems, and share knowledge
• Commitment to self-development and learning
• Strong sense of ownership of duties and high responsibility
• Always looks to try their best and seek ways to improve
• Enjoys engaging with new people with respect for diversity and integrity
• Works well under pressure and has a positive ‘can-do’ attitude
• Excellent time management skills
• Willingness to travel and adhere to a flexible working environment

Learning and Development

Fully funded professional qualifications: ACA followed by CIA

• Coaching, mentorship, and one-on-one guidance
• Time off to study, blended training approach (in-person and virtual)
• Allocated a buddy before joining to support your first year
• Comprehensive training in:
  • Professional excellence
  • Client excellence
  • Digital excellence
  • Technical excellence

Goal: support you to reach your full potential and become a standout talent.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

• Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to our values
• We value unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences
• We promote an environment where you can:
  • Grow your skills
  • Belong to a team that values your ideas
  • Make an impact that matters

Next Steps

• Roles will close as soon as the right candidates are found
• Submit your application as soon as possible
• Start date: 1 September 2026
• International applicants and/or visa requirements should view our FAQs before applying for deadlines and important information

How to apply

To apply for this role and to find out more, please click on the apply button. Please note that applications may close before the application deadline, so apply early to avoid disappointment.