Our vision is for better public services.

Our audit findings, recommendations, and insights help entities improve their financial management and service delivery, and help parliament to hold public sector entities accountable.

To achieve this, we:

• audit public sector entities’ financial statements and provide opinions on their accuracy and reliability; and provide insights on their financial performance, risk, and internal controls
• audit the efficiency, effectiveness, and economy of public service delivery through performance audits
• produce reports to parliament that summarise the results of our audits
• promote our work and share our learnings with clients, professional networks, industry, and peers
• conduct investigations into claims of financial waste and mismanagement.

We promote transparency and accountability, and our work helps engender public trust in the system of government by:

• helping entities to improve their performance
• providing assurance to parliament that there is appropriate stewardship over public sector entities
• informing Queenslanders about the public services they receive
• highlighting how entities are using public money.

For more information about QAO's role and structure, see our annual report, www.qao.qld.gov.au/about-us, or the video on our website homepage.

For more information on our audits and work, see our:

• annual report: www.qao.qld.gov.au/about-us/our-annual-report-transparency-report
• fact sheets: www.qao.qld.gov.au/reports-resources/fact-sheets
• audit program: www.qao.qld.gov.au/audit-program.

We’re proud of our diverse, inclusive, and supportive workplace. We represent a wide range of backgrounds and age demographics, and greatly value the varied experiences our people bring.

Our values of engage, respect, inspire, and deliver underpin all that we do and set our workforce up for success. They drive our behaviours and provide a foundation for how we work with our clients and each other. 

Our culture reflects the independence and objectivity of our role and we are passionate about innovation, welcome new ideas, and invest in leading edge technologies and advanced audit capabilities. You'll have access to the tools you need and best practice data analytics for your work. And you'll benefit from our learning-oriented focus, where we invest in our people and their skills so they can be the best in their field. 

Our clients are critical to us achieving our vision of better public services. They range from large entities, such as Queensland Treasury Corporation and Energy Queensland Limited, to smaller regional councils. This means you’ll be exposed to a wide range of opportunities, professional development, and industries to further your career. There are also opportunities to expand your skills, knowledge, and connections through our international secondment program with audit offices in New Zealand and Canada. 

QAO is a friendly organisation with an active social club that organises a range of events, including an annual formal dinner. Many of our people also participate in sporting events, such as the Corporate Games, our foodie club, and community events.

QAO is a professional services organisation, and we have a large number of roles across our business. Given the size of our practice, there are strong career development opportunities within our organisation.

We deliver our client services seamlessly and consistently, support each other, and share expertise. You'll have opportunities to work with a range of clients and colleagues.

If you are a graduate, we help you build on your knowledge to develop you into an experienced professional. You can apply to join our graduate program, where you will:

• be part of financial, performance, or information systems audits, depending on your degree of study and interests
• attend a structured learning and development program
• work in varied teams and see how we do what we do
• travel to our clients throughout Queensland
• spend time understanding how we use data analytics
• gain your professional accreditation (such as CA ANZ, CPA, CISA, or CISSP).

If you are an experienced professional, you may work on a range of portfolios, government sectors, and clients as you deliver financial, performance, or information systems audits.

When working in a financial audit team, you will apply your skills to some of the most challenging elements of financial audit over a variety of clients. Day-to-day, you could be:

• liaising with clients
• planning, executing, and finalising audits
• contributing to reports to parliament.

When working in a performance audit team, you will be involved in interesting and varied engagements. These are outlined in our forward work plan. Day-to-day, you’ll:

• engage with senior stakeholders
• scope, plan, and conduct audits
• collect evidence and conduct detailed analysis and testing
• contribute to outcome-focused reports.

Our support teams are an integral part of our business, working in areas such as human resources, data analytics, and information technology. These teams are customer-focused, collaborative, and seek to continuously improve the services they deliver. In return, generous professional development opportunities are available to support them.

Some of the benefits of joining QAO include:

• working in great teams – our people come from diverse backgrounds and have a wealth of professional experience
• flexible, Brisbane-based hybrid work arrangements – to support mobility and work–life balance
• ongoing learning and training – to achieve your professional and personal development and career goals. Generous study assistance is also available
• membership fees (such as CA ANZ, CPA Australia, or CISA) if you have your professional qualification
• opportunities to work across the business – helping you become a well-rounded, knowledgeable professional
• interesting and varied clients – across Queensland's public sector, including local governments
• an inclusive culture that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion
• active social club – helping you form lasting relationships with your colleagues
• opportunities to work abroad through our international secondment program
• other benefits including an employee assistance program, end of trip facilities, and leave options.

No – QAO is an independent integrity office separate from the government of the day and the Auditor-General is an independent officer of the parliament.

However, while QAO is not a government department, we are considered a department for financial reporting purposes.

The Governance, Energy and Finance Committee provides strategic oversight of QAO.

QAO staff are employed under the Auditor-General Act 2009, and enjoy the same employment conditions as other state public servants.

We know what it takes to be successful, capable, and engaged. We are proud to support our people to become even better at what they do and enhance their careers.

Our learning and development program ensures our staff members are purposeful, curious, adaptable, and empowered to take charge of their careers.

We:

• provide annual professional technical training
• run skills sessions, such as on critical thinking, leadership, and professional communication
• support our auditors to achieve postgraduate qualifications such as CA ANZ, CPA, CISA, or CISSP
• enable staff to achieve other postgraduate studies, such as Master of Business Administration, Master of Public Administration, or Master of Applied Finance
• provide financial assistance and leave to support your professional qualification and help you meet your career aspirations.

You'll have access to flexible and hybrid working arrangements, including part‑time work and flexible start and finish times.

Our entire workforce is mobile and set up with the technology to work in our office in the Brisbane CBD, at client sites, or at home.

Working as an auditor requires mobility, as you'll engage with our clients at their locations during different stages of the audit process. This ranges from a short walk from our office to all around Queensland.

We respect your need to blend work and personal life when determining travel requirements, and aim to share travel fairly between our people. Where travel is required, sometimes it is at short notice.

Those who obtain a role with QAO believe in our values of engage, respect, inspire, and deliver.

We also look for people who:

• thrive in a professional services environment
• strive for excellence
• consistently achieve quality results
• are team-players, adaptable, and excited by change and innovation.

We expect our people to have the highest levels of personal integrity and demonstrate professional accountability. Maintaining the trust of our clients and other stakeholders is key, as is the ability to collaborate, build rapport, and communicate well.

We are a diverse workforce and our staff bring broad experiences and perspectives to our team.

To work in our financial audit teams you need a relevant degree qualification in accountancy or commerce. Qualifications in maths, science, engineering, and technology are also desirable.

Staff who work in our performance audit teams have a range of qualifications, from public administration to business and commerce. They bring their expertise as management consultants, policy advisors, teachers, police officers, and more. We seek people with an enquiring mind who bring business context to our audit program areas.

Our support team members are generally qualified in their chosen discipline or can demonstrate a desire to increase their knowledge. As a member of our team, you understand client satisfaction and aim to continuously improve the service that you provide.

Check the specific job advertisement and position description for any other eligibility or desired skills and experience.

To see available positions, please see our Career opportunities page.

To apply for any role at QAO you need to be an Australian or New Zealand Citizen, or Australian or New Zealand Permanent Resident with permission to work in Australia, or hold a valid visa with permission to work in Australia.

Check the specific job advertisement and position description for any other eligibility or desired skills and experience.

Our recruitment and selection process will reflect the values of equity, diversity, respect, and inclusion. Our processes will adhere to the principles of fairness and transparency, and will be flexible, unnbiased culturally safe, phychosocially safe, and accessible. 

Our selection process begins with an online application. Submit your Curriculum Vitae and a cover letter by the closing date, and check the advertisement for any additional requirements.

Once we receive your application, we follow a structured selection process that’s designed to assess your suitability for the job role and our organisation.

If your application progresses we may invite you to:

• undertake one or more assessments
• attend an interview
• provide permission for reference checks and background screening.

To see available positions, please see our Career opportunities page.

There are 3 ways you can reach us to stay up-to-date on all our news and updates:

• follow us on LinkedIn
• subscribe to QAO news and updates
• email us at recruitment@qao.qld.gov.au.