Counter Fraud Apprentice
£29,677 per annum (pay award pending) - Grade 2
Leeds / Hybrid Full time - 37 hours per week
Closing date: 12 April 2026 at 11:55pm
This role requires a minimum of working 30 hours per week due to the length of the fixed term contract and Apprenticeship funding rules
We currently have a vacancy for a Counter Fraud Apprentice to join our Internal Audit Team.
This is a new role following a redesign of the Internal Audit function to meet increasing audit and investigation coverage.
The Counter Fraud team sits within the Internal Audit team and provides assurance and investigation services to the Combined Authority by delivering a robust audit and investigation programme each year. The focus of the work includes strategic assurance across the breadth of activities of the Combined Authority and particularly supports the major programmes and projects including key deliverables around Mass Transit, Bus Franchising, Better Homes, Adult Education Budget to name a few.
It is important that you demonstrate how your breadth of experience, knowledge and skills align with the role when applying. We have therefore created comprehensive guidance for candidates, and you are strongly urged to read this before completing your application form. Please visit our Advice for Candidates webpage to find this guidance and further support in completing your application form.
Visit our 'Life at West Yorkshire Combined Authority' webpage to find out what our staff have to say about working here.
Our Offer
· Work your way – From flexible and agile working options, including a generous flexi-time scheme to help you balance your personal life and career.
· Time to recharge – Enjoy 28 days of annual leave (with increases based on length of service), plus all Bank Holidays.
· Free greener travel across West Yorkshire – Cover your commute sustainably with unlimited free bus and rail travel using the MCard (Zones 1–5).
· Secure your future – Benefit from a highly competitive Local Government Pension Scheme.
· Investing in you – Take advantage of fully funded professional development, regular training, and up to 3 paid volunteering days per year.
· Grow with us – Incremental salary progression for most roles and annual cost of living increases.
· Family first – We offer enhanced parental and bereavement leave, plus other family-friendly policies to support you when it matters most.
· Your wellbeing, our priority – Access 24/7 free confidential counselling services and the Headspace app for you and up to 5 family or friends.
· Modern workspace in a prime location – Work in bright, contemporary offices just a 2-minute walk from Leeds Train Station, fully equipped with the latest tech.
The Role
Reporting into the Principal Internal Auditor your key responsibilities will include:
• Assisting the team to provide a high-quality counter fraud and audit service covering all the Combined Authority’s functions and activities in accordance with the laws governing counter fraud investigations and the Combined Authority’s own policies and procedures.
• Assisting with planning and undertaking audit and/or Investigative work on highly confidential and sensitive matters, exercising good judgement in the execution of the role and putting the needs of the organisation first - utilising different approaches and methodologies to help to identify improvements in internal controls, operational effectiveness and efficiency.
• Assisting the team in undertaking fraud detection through data matching (e.g. NFI and internal exercises using Computer Assisted Audit Techniques).
About You
You will have the following key skills, attributes, education, and experience:
· Educated to GCSE level - with 5 grade A-C, 4 or above / level 2 English and Maths and willing to undertake training and exams to complete the requirements for the Level 4 Counter Fraud Investigator Apprenticeship.
· Excellent ICT skills including ability to use Microsoft office packages
· Experience of effectively contributing to team objectives by prioritising, planning and organising own workloads
· Experience of successfully identifying appropriate communication channels to deliver information.
· Strong communication and negotiation skills.
To Apply
If this sounds like your next role, please complete the application form on our website and tell us within the supporting statement why you would be a great fit for our role and how your skills, knowledge and experience align with the requirements within the Role Profile. Please visit our Advice for Candidates webpage and review the guidance on this page for support in completing your application form.
Further Information
The Combined Authority is passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We know through experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger and more creative work environment that delivers better outcomes. We welcome applications irrespective of
people's age, disability, neuro-divergence, sex, gender identity and gender expression, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, or other personal circumstances. We have policies and procedures in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability and/or who are neuro divergent. To find out more about inclusivity at the West Yorkshire Combined Authority please visit our dedicated webpage.
Under the Disability Confident Scheme, applicants with a disability are guaranteed an interview, subject to the minimum criteria being met. Please note that whilst it is our policy to recruit at SP1 for all appointments, which is the salary stated above, each role includes career salary progression, with incremental increases applicable in most cases on an annual basis
