A&C - Risk Consulting Public & Social Sector Graduate Trainee - Manchester - 1 September 2026
Forvis Mazars is a leading global professional services network providing audit & assurance, tax, and advisory services. Forvis Mazars in the UK spans 14 offices across the UK and has over 3,400 professionals, with 190 partners. We have a clear purpose and a shared commitment to shape a better future. You'll join a collaborative and inclusive team where you're supported to grow your skills, explore new opportunities, and contribute from day one. You'll work with a diverse client base, develop meaningful connections, and gain experience that extends beyond your local team. Together, we grow, belong and impact.
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, enabling us to make our time with 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 specialists across six business units: Deals and Financing, Financial Services Consulting, Consulting, Infrastructure Finance, Forensics and Completion, and Restructuring & Insolvency, aiming to add value to clients by finding solutions to a range of financial issues as one collaborative team.
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 our 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 will enable you to meet and support like‑minded individuals at your clients who really want to make a difference in society.
* Local government – We are among the top 4 firms providing internal, IT and contract audits as well as anti‑fraud and corruption services to local government.
* Education – Education organisations we work with include universities, sixth‑form colleges, academies and schools, with audits of funding, student experience, apprenticeships, safeguarding and governance.
* Central government – We work with a range of Arm’s Length Bodies (ALBs) of government, providing audits of collections, retail operations, sports funding, sustainable fuel, diversity and inclusion aims, and railway inspection arrangements.
* Housing – We are the #1 provider of internal audit services to the social housing sector, auditing key risk areas such as fire safety, income collection and anti‑social behaviour.
* Police – We provide internal audits to the Office of Police & Crime Commissioners and associated police forces, covering finance, HR, victim services, firearms licensing and seized property.
* Charities – We audit household name charities across conservation, community care and medical research funding, reviewing fundraising strategies, raffles, lotteries and volunteer management.
Hear From One Of Our Trainees, Hannah
There is a solid 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 graduate trainee you will work through a three‑year training contract, conducting internal audit reviews of our clients’ operations in specific areas. You will undertake all aspects of internal audit from opening meeting to report writing and closure, providing recommendations that are proportionate and aligned with public sector best practice. We operate a hybrid working model, so you will split your time among working from home, visiting the office, client sites and studying for professional exams.
During Your First Year 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.
* Obtain relevant information from clients whilst building an effective rapport with client staff.
* Undertake internal audit testing using a range of tools and methods 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 verbal and written feedback to clients.
* Develop personal and professional skills through regular training, with support from your team and line manager.
During Your Second Year You Will
* Support client managers in planning stages of work, such as attending scoping meetings and drafting Terms of Reference documents.
* Specialise in particular sub‑sectors or types of audits where you develop an interest.
* Increase confidence in providing your own solutions and ideas to complex client scenarios.
* Perform more challenging technical audits under the guidance of the relevant manager.
* Gain proficiency in report writing and review the work of junior team members.
* Support junior team members by providing feedback.
In Your Third Year You Will
* Complete complex audit reviews with minimal supervision from managers.
* Act as a point of contact for internal management, junior members and clients, ensuring timely completion of audit work.
* Manage operational delivery of client audit plans, including scoping meetings and Terms of Reference documents.
* Develop client portfolio and contract management skills, progressing toward Assistant Manager grade.
* Gain exposure to Board‑level client meetings and shadow managers presenting reports.
* Provide on‑the‑job advice, training and supervision of junior staff, with potential to take on Manager responsibilities.
Who we're looking for
* On track or have obtained an undergraduate degree. Excellent academic performance is important; we look at the whole self, including growth experiences.
* Deep curiosity to learn new things and a natural inquisitiveness.
* The ability to think critically, solve problems and share knowledge with others.
* A commitment to self‑development and learning.
* High sense of ownership of duties and responsibility to deliver on promises.
* Always looks to try their best and seeks ways to improve.
* Enjoys meeting and engaging with new people, respecting diversity and integrity.
* Works well under pressure and maintains a positive can‑do attitude.
* Excellent time management skills.
* A willingness to travel and adapt to a flexible working environment.
Learning and development
Fully funded professional qualification: ACA followed by CIA. Our supportive culture includes coaching, mentorship and one‑on‑one guidance to help you grow, belong and make an impact. You will be allocated a buddy before joining and receive comprehensive quality training and development in professional excellence, client excellence, digital excellence and technical excellence.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
At Forvis Mazars, diversity, equity and inclusion are central to our values. We value our team’s unique backgrounds, perspectives and experience, and know that diversity creates better outcomes for our clients. We promote an environment where you can grow your skills, belong to a team that values your ideas, and make an impact that matters.
Next steps
Roles will be closed as soon as we find the right people, so to avoid disappointment we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible. The start date is 1 September 2026. If you are an international applicant and/or require a visa, please view our FAQs before applying to be aware of deadlines and important information.
Seniority level
* Internship
Employment type
* Full‑time
Job function
* Consulting, Information Technology, and Sales
Industries
* Technology, Information and Internet
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