Internal Auditor - Financial Operations

The Internal Auditor is a key role providing management with independent, risk-based, and objective assurance, advice, and insight. The Internal Auditor is responsible for performing and documenting multiple Internal Audit reviews of financial and operational controls as well as information systems. The Internal Auditor provides Associa management with an independent examination of the adequacy of information systems, financial and operating policies, procedures, and controls. These examinations may identify areas and methods for improvement resulting in recommendations to promote efficiency and cost savings.

Key Responsibilities:

• With direction from audit management, plans, performs, and documents multiple projects of financial and operational areas/controls for non-complex areas. Performs general information system controls testing on company systems. May assist with investigating allegations of fraud.
  • These audits may involve branches/departments with or without written policies and procedures.
  • Under direct supervision, utilizes judgment, prior audit experience, and benchmark data to determine whether financial and operational controls as well as information systems are functioning properly, comply with good business practices, and if established policies and procedures are adequate. Evaluates whether changes to existing policies and procedures or the development of new policies and procedures are needed.
  • Performs financial analysis on branches/departments to identify unusual items, variances, or potential areas for further review.
  • Evaluates internal accounting, operational, and information systems policies, procedures, and controls to identify weaknesses and areas for improvement. Identifies, investigates, and documents preliminary findings on unusual data patterns. Assists management in evaluating the significance of identified risks through an independent risk assessment and assists management in defining corrective action plans.
  • Assists in developing recommendations with cost/benefit considerations to assist management in identifying areas of improvement to improve operating efficiencies, accuracy of data, internal control environment, and financial performance.
  • Under direct supervision, drafts recommended policies and procedures to improve methods of safeguarding assets, provide more timely and accurate financial data, improve efficiency, and minimize cost.
• Assists audit management in the development of specific audit program steps in accordance with the COSO framework, audit work plan, and specific audit tests for branches/departments or areas with no prior audit lead files, workpapers, audit programs or history files. Works with Internal Audit management and other auditors to design tests to fulfill audit objectives. Provides suggestions for areas to be included in the Internal Audit department’s annual audit schedule.
• Assists in preparing concise reports on examinations and findings which detail areas examined, areas needing improvement and measures required for corrective action. Summarizes audit results for audit management. Drafts reports and memos for review by Internal Audit management. Prepares final reports and memos once all action plans are obtained and sends to audit management for final distribution.
• Participates in meetings with all levels of management to gather information regarding accounting, operational, and information systems controls as well as present project results regarding controls reviewed. Must be able to effectively communicate with internal management and key stakeholders to complete project objectives and present related results.
• Assists external auditors on an interim and annual basis to assure complete, accurate records, and adequate internal controls exist in accordance with financial reporting requirements. Escalates areas of noncompliance to Internal Audit management.

Education / Work Experience

• Bachelor Degree in Accounting or Business Administration, Masters preferred.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in internal/external audit required.
• At least 1 year of public audit experience.
• CPA or CIA certified, or active pursuit of CPA/CIA, strongly preferred. Employees hired into this role are expected to begin or continue pursuing either CPA or CIA certification within the first year of employment.

Skills / Other Requirements

• Understanding of generally accepted accounting principles, generally accepted auditing standards, Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) internal control framework, governance, audit techniques and testing, and information systems, financial and operations controls.
• Basic understanding of Microsoft Suite including Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Word. Experience in D365 and Optro/AuditBoard is a plus.
• Ability to suggest cases where Optro Analytics or other similar computer assisted auditing technique software packages may improve the efficiency or effectiveness of an audit procedure.
• Must have good written and oral communication skills to effectively secure information from various departments, branches, and management to perform audits. Must be able to organize and succinctly explain deficiencies, risks, and recommendations in understandable and non-technical language.
• Must maintain some awareness of current developments in financial, operational, and systems areas. Including regulatory and compliance updates as well as data retention, confidentiality, and governance.
• Ability to utilize courtesy and tact in interaction with department/branch staff in the exchange of information while providing instruction and guidance.
• Ability to demonstrate an objective and questioning mindset.
• Demonstrate proactive critical thinking skills, identifying root causes of discrepancies or inefficiencies, and suggesting effective solutions to improve processes and accuracy.
• Strong time management skills are necessary to manage multiple projects and deadlines while meeting the quality expectations of the department.
• Must be customer service oriented to promote the Internal Audit image as serving departments versus “fault finding” and effectively convey identified weaknesses and recommendations.
• Experience working with multi-entity or multi-location organizations is a plus.
• Collaborative and continuous learning mindset.