Internal audit hiring surges 18% as banks bolster governance functions

Internal audit hiring surges 18% as banks bolster governance functions

Demand for internal audit professionals in the UK financial sector rose in 2025, with vacancies increasing 18% year-on-year according to the latest Morgan McKinley and Vacancysoft Internal Audit report. Growth was driven by banks strengthening governance, risk, and oversight functions following a more cautious hiring environment in the previous year.

London remained firmly at the centre of the market. Hiring in the capital climbed 29%, lifting its share of total UK vacancies from 53% to 57%, with recruitment activity peaking in July. However, momentum has not carried into the new year. Vacancies across January and February 2026 fell 40% year-on-year from 90 roles to 54 indicating a notable slowdown in hiring activity.

Internal Audit Outperforms Banking Accounting

Internal Audit was one of the strongest-performing disciplines within banking accounting functions in 2025. Its 18% vacancy growth outpaced several comparable disciplines, with hiring accelerating through the year and peaking in Q3. Demand remained concentrated in oversight and assurance roles more broadly, with financial accounting recording 523 vacancies and internal audit recording 512 across the period, underscoring continued investment in control and reporting functions.

Regional Hiring Reveals an Uneven Landscape

Beyond London, the regional picture was sharply divided. Northern Ireland recorded the fastest growth of any UK region, with vacancies rising 120%, followed by Yorkshire and the Humber (up 69%) and the North West (up 57%). Scotland also performed strongly, with a 45% increase. Southern regions told a very different story. Vacancies fell 54% in the South, 55% in the South East, and 73% in the East of England pointing to a significant geographic imbalance in where financial services firms are choosing to build out their audit functions.

Large Banks Drive Recruitment Activity

Hiring activity was led primarily by large international banks. Barclays recorded the most significant increase, with vacancies rising from 10 roles in 2024 to 42 in 2025, a 320% increase. JP Morgan Chase & Co expanded hiring by 68%, while Citi doubled its vacancies.

HSBC and Morgan Stanley also reported substantial growth, each tripling their internal audit hiring. Not all firms followed this trend, however. Evelyn Partners saw vacancies decline by 82%, while Northern Trust, Bank of America, and Nationwide also recorded notable reductions. Early 2026 activity remains subdued, although Shawbrook Bank currently leads hiring with seven active vacancies.

Leo Bellometti, principal consultant, Compliance, Financial Crime and Risk Recruitment Solutions, Morgan McKinley UK, commented:“The rebound in internal audit hiring reflects a clear shift in priorities, with banks investing more heavily in governance, risk, and control functions. While activity has softened at the start of 2026, demand remains structurally strong particularly in London and in areas such as technology audit. This suggests the current slowdown is more likely a pause than a long-term downturn.”

Top Banking Companies, Internal Audit, UK, 2024 – 2026 (Jan-Feb)

24/03/2026