About Uniac 

Uniac is a specialist internal audit and assurance firm working exclusively with higher education institutions across the UK. We support universities through a combination of internal audit, grant assurance, data assurance, and advisory services, bringing a deep understanding of the regulatory, funding, and operational environment of the sector. 

Our Grants Audit Service provides independent, evidence-based assurance over a wide range of public and externally funded grant schemes, supporting institutions to meet funder requirements and manage risk effectively. 

At Uniac, we offer the following: 

  • objectivity, integrity and constructive challenge; 
  • drive, innovation and creativity; 
  • confidence and diligence; and 
  • detailed and specialist knowledge of higher education. 

We pride ourselves on the knowledge and experience of our staff who are empowered and encouraged to deliver high performance. 

Role Overview 

Uniac is seeking an experienced Grants Audit Contractor to provide additional delivery capacity within its Grants Audit Service. This is a delivery-focused role, supporting the execution of grant assurance engagements across UK higher education institutions. 

The role is fully remote and suited to a contractor who is comfortable operating with a high degree of autonomy, applying professional judgement, and delivering high-quality assurance work to agreed deadlines. The postholder will report directly to Uniac’s Grants Audit Lead and will work as part of engagement teams as required. 

Key Responsibilities 

  • Engagement Delivery 
  • Deliver grant audit and assurance work in accordance with agreed engagement scopes and timetables. 
  • Undertake planning, fieldwork, and testing activities focused on eligibility, compliance, and use of funds. 
  • Obtain, review, and assess documentary evidence from university finance, research, and operational teams. 
  • Apply professional judgement to assess compliance with grant conditions and funder requirements. 
  • Identify and clearly articulate findings, weaknesses, and areas of non-compliance. 
  • Technical Assurance and Quality 
  • Conduct audit work using Uniac’s grants audit methodologies, templates, and working paper standards. 
  • Ensure work is evidence-led, clearly documented, and capable of independent review. 
  • Contribute to the drafting of clear, accurate, and concise outputs, including audit findings and supporting schedules. 
  • Respond constructively to review points raised by engagement leads or the Grants Audit Lead. 
  • Client Engagement 
  • Liaise professionally and effectively with client staff, including research finance, central finance, and academic stakeholders. 
  • Communicate information requests and audit requirements clearly and proportionately. 
  • Maintain a professional, independent assurance stance when dealing with clients. 
  • Professional and Ethical Standards 
  • Maintain independence from grant preparation, bid writing, or claims compilation activities. 
  • Identify and declare potential conflicts of interest promptly. 
  • Adhere to Uniac’s professional, ethical, and confidentiality requirements at all times. 

Essential Experience and Qualifications 

  • A recognised accountancy qualification (e.g. ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent) is required. 
  • Strong experience in audit, assurance, or grants-related review work. 
  • Demonstrable ability to deliver assurance work independently and to deadline. 
  • Experience reviewing financial and non-financial evidence and assessing compliance against defined criteria. 
  • Strong written skills, with the ability to produce clear, structured audit documentation and outputs. 
  • Confidence working remotely and managing workload autonomously. 
  • Desirable Experience 
  • Previous experience of higher education grants auditing or assurance. 
  • Familiarity with publicly funded grant schemes relevant to UK HE (e.g. Innovate UK, Horizon 2020, Turing Scheme, DfE Annex G). 
  • Understanding of the operational and governance environment within universities. 
  • Prior experience working as a contractor or on time-limited assurance engagements. 

Ways of Working 

  • The role is fully remote, with meetings and engagement interaction conducted virtually. 
  • Work will typically be allocated on an engagement or call-off basis, aligned to delivery needs and funder deadlines. 
  • The role is delivery-focused and does not include business development or sales responsibilities. 
  • The postholder will be expected to follow Uniac’s established methodologies and quality standards. 

Contract and Duration 

  • Contractor role providing additional delivery capacity within the Grants Audit Service. 
  • Initial contract length to be agreed, with the potential for extension subject to service demand and performance. 
  • Day rate and capacity expectations to be agreed with the successful candidate. 

How to Apply 

Expressions of interest should include a CV and covering letter outlining relevant audit and grants experience, accountancy qualification, and availability. Please send these and any queries to grantsaudit@uniac.co.uk by 30th June 2026.