Appointment of up to three Members to the Accounts Commission for Scotland

The Accounts Commission is the independent public body which oversees the performance and spending within Scotland’s 32 councils, 11 local government pension funds, 30 health and social care integration joint boards (IJBs) and other joint boards. We play a significant role in Scottish public life helping to ensure that public money is spent properly, efficiently and effectively. We are responsible for the audit of all local government bodies in Scotland.

Skills/Experience required

As the Commission holds councils to account on behalf of citizens right across Scotland, the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government recognises the importance of the Commission representing all communities and encourages applicants from a diverse range of relevant backgrounds and from both urban and rural locations across Scotland.

Applicants will wish to be aware that for these roles on the Accounts Commission for Scotland we are operating a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants.

For further information, please see the applicant information pack.

• ensuring that the public body delivers its functions in accordance with Scottish Ministers’ policies and priorities 
• providing strategic leadership 
• ensuring financial stewardship 
• holding the Chief Executive and senior management team to account 

Successful applicants must be able to demonstrate by the end of the appointment process:

At least one of the following priority criteria:

1.    Experience of finance, accountancy, audit and risk
2.    Experience of local government
3.    Experience of overseeing successful strategic change management programmes.

Applicants must also provide evidence of the following essential criteria; the initial application only requires written evidence of the first:

1.    Commitment to improvement in public services
2.    Constructive & supportive challenge
3.    Sound judgement based on good analytical skills and ability to assimilate a large amount of information
4.    Strong and effective communicator

For further information, please see the applicant information pack.

LOCATION

Commission meetings are held at the Audit Scotland office at 102 West Port, Edinburgh, EH3 9DN (and occasionally in Audit Scotland’s Glasgow office in Nelson Mandela Place).  

INTERVIEWS

29 September, 1 and 2 October 2026. In person at the Audit Scotland office, 4th Floor, 102 West Port, Edinburgh EH3 9DN.  

INFORMATION SESSIONS

We will be holding two information sessions, both hybrid, on:
•    Wednesday 29 July 6pm, West Port, Edinburgh 
•    Thursday 13 August 6pm, Nelson Mandela Place, Glasgow

Please contact Sarah Watters, Director for the Commission at [email protected], to register for the events.

Prospective candidates can also attend the public session of the Commission meeting on 13 August between 10am and 11:30am, in the Glasgow office. This meeting can also be watched online. You can register to watch this meeting online from Friday 7 August at the below link. You can also find information about our meetings including papers, minutes and recordings at this link.

Accounts Commission meetings webpage

Further information: If you would like to find out more about this role, you are welcome to contact Sarah Watters, Director for the Commission at [email protected].

How to apply

1.    Download the applicant information pack. This will explain more about the role, the board and the application process.

2.    Click the ‘apply now’ link at the top of the advert. As part of the online application process, you will need to complete the personal information section, and then upload the following:

3.    Complete the questions relating to political activity and any conflicts of interest.

4.    You will then be asked to supply evidence to answer at least one of the Priority Criteria questions, if you do not complete this, your application cannot be considered.

5.    You will then be asked to supply evidence to answer Essential Criteria 1, if you do not complete this, your application cannot be considered.

Completed applications must be received on or before 12.00 noon on Monday 24 August 2026.

Please note that we recommend you follow the ‘How to Apply’ section of the applicant information pack as you complete your application.

If you require a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the appointments process or if you require further support with your application, please contact the Public Appointments at [email protected].