Senior Auditor

Buckingham Search

Senior Auditor

Chicago, IL
Full Time
Paid
  • Responsibilities

    Position Summary:

    The Senior Internal Auditor is responsible for assisting the Director of Internal Audit in the execution of the Audit Plan to support the department’s risk management efforts. The Senior Internal Auditor does this by conducting complex audits of the efficiency and effectiveness over financial, operational, and regulatory processes and controls as directed by the Director of Internal Audit; and by assisting the Director in performing testing to support the Company’s Sarbanes-Oxley compliance efforts and to ensure the efficient completion of the annual external audit.

    Essential Duties and Responsibilities

    The Senior Internal Auditor will:

    • Plan, lead, and perform complex audits and assessments over financial, operational, and compliance processes across business units to assess internal controls, risk management procedures, and compliance with industry regulations and best practices including scheduling and preparing audit announcements, updating audit programs, preparing meeting agendas, identifying relevant risks and controls, preparing evidence requests, conducting interviews, performing walkthroughs, assessing design, assessing operating effectiveness, analyzing data and samples, detecting fraud, documenting work papers, preparing exit agendas, preparing reporting, providing recommendations, presenting findings, monitoring open observation resolution, and providing ongoing status reporting.
    • Plan, lead, and perform Sarbanes-Oxley testing and external auditor direct assistance testing with direction from the Director.
    • Develop and implement audit work programs to identify and assess control risks, fraud risks, risk management frameworks, and strategic objectives.
    • Participate in fraud investigations and other special projects as requested by the Director.
    • Participate in the risk assessment process and audit plan development
    • Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with clients, management, and colleagues.
    • Support Internal Audit in special projects and investigations as needed and other duties as assigned.
    • Mentor and provide guidance to junior audit staff, fostering a culture of learning and professional development within the team.
    • Ability to work effectively in a dynamic and changing environment.
    • Be open to feedback, supervision, and continuous improvement.
    • Travel up to 30%.

    Qualifications and Skills

    • Bachelor's Degree in business related area of study, preferably Accounting.
    • Minimum 3+ years’ experience, preferably in Internal Audit at a publicly traded corporation or in a public accounting including SOX compliance.
    • Insurance industry experience preferred
    • CPA, CIA, or CPCU certification or evidence of progress in obtaining such a plus.
    • Compliance Standards and Frameworks – Possesses familiarity with frameworks such as NAIC MAR, COSO, IIA Global Standards, GAAP and STAT requirements, SEC requirements, FASB pronouncements, IRS and ERISA regulations.
    • Job Knowledge – Understands internal controls and the relevant testing procedures for those controls. General understanding of insurance and accounting concepts and intermediate understand of financial reports. Takes action to continue to learn.
    • Analytical – Recognizes similarities and patterns in processes and information. Uses experience to analyze and understand controls, processes, and testing. Able to synthesize information differentiating between relevant and irrelevant information and formulate adequate conclusions.
    • Mathematical Skills – Calculates figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, and percentages.
    • Reasoning Ability – Identifies problems, gathers relevant information, and identifies potential conclusions to present to the Director for discussion. Understands and follows verbal instructions. Understands the relationship between walkthrough results and testing procedures. Understands and follows audit program steps.
    • Problem Solving – Identifies and defines problems, collects information, interprets information, identifies root cause, validates concerns, draws valid conclusions, and identifies options for recommendations.
    • Up to Date – Keeps abreast of current trends in emerging trends in insurance, internal auditing, risk management, and regulatory changes. Monitors process and policy changes throughout the organization.
    • Perspective – Sees situations through multiple viewpoints.
    • Communication – Expresses well organized ideas and thoughts clearly and succinctly in writing. Asks questions to understand tasks, goals and objectives. Communicates information that is appropriate for the intended audience. Responds timely to common inquiries from clients and contributes to meetings with clients and the external auditors.
    • Planning and Organization – Uses time efficiently and prioritizes and plans work activities to meet deadlines and budgets. Demonstrates situational awareness and ability to identify and prioritize tasks in advance of explicit direction.
    • Project Management – Defines and manages project tasks.
    • Attention to Detail – Performs work attentively; listens, observes, and digests; exhibits accuracy and understanding; and delivers high quality results.
    • Computer Skills – Demonstrates ability to leverage technology solutions into audit procedures. Knowledgeable of using the internet for research and of Word, Excel, Adobe, Visio, and an audit workflow tool. Familiar with data analytics, visualization and/or dashboard tools, such as PowerBI or SQL preferred.
    • Teamwork – Balances team and individual responsibilities. Effectively works with teammates on assigned tasks, facilitates sharing of information with others, and fosters cooperation, collaboration, and team spirit.
    • Organizational Support – Follows Internal Audit Department policies and procedures and completes administrative tasks correctly and on time.
    • Flexible – Demonstrates ability to adapt to meeting changes to needs such as ability to adapt audit approach to changes in the audit plan or department goals.
    • Tenacious – Displays timely follow-up and follow-through.