Senior Internal Auditor

Position Summary: A Senior Internal Auditor within the Connecticut State College and University System (CSCU) serves as a lead evaluator, with responsibilities ranging from technical execution to strategic oversight and management of complex audit engagements. In addition to assessing financial controls and regulatory compliance, they are responsible for leading audit teams, mentoring junior staff, and conducting high level risk assessments across diverse academic and administrative functions. Operating with significant autonomy, they provide leadership with critical insights and objective recommendations that safeguard public assets and ensure the system's long term accountability and operational excellence. Example of Job Duties: Lead Audit Engagements: Independently plan, coordinate, and execute complex financial, operational, and compliance audits across the system's six institutions, ensuring all work adheres to relevant professional frameworks and guidance. Risk Based Planning: Lead the development of individual audit programs by identifying high risk areas, defining audit scopes, and establishing testing methodologies that address the unique challenges of higher education. Coaching and Mentorship: Provide direct guidance and technical review of workpapers prepared by staff auditors; offer constructive feedback to ensure accuracy, quality, and professional development of the team. High Impact Reporting: Draft comprehensive audit reports for the Director of Internal Audit and the Board of Regents Audit Committee; translate technical findings into clear, actionable business insights for executive leadership. Consultative Liaison: Act as a strategic advisor to campus leadership and department heads, providing expert guidance on internal control design, process optimization, and risk mitigation strategies during periods of institutional change. Corrective Action Oversight: Lead follow up reviews to monitor management's progress in implementing audit recommendations, ensuring that identified risks are effectively remediated within agreed upon timelines. Advanced Data Analytics: Utilize sophisticated audit software and data visualization tools (e.g., ACL, IDEA, or Tableau) to perform continuous monitoring and identify anomalies or fraudulent patterns within large scale financial datasets. Regulatory Interpretation: Monitor and interpret evolving state and federal regulations—including GASB standards and Connecticut state statutes to ensure institutional policies remain in full compliance. Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in accounting (at least 30 semester hours in accounting coursework) and a minimum of three years of professional auditing experience. Master's degree and/or relevant certification is preferred (CPA, CIA, CFE, etc.). Incumbents are required to have demonstrated advanced knowledge and abilities in the following areas: Advanced Principles: Mastery of IPPF, GAAP, GAGAS, and GASB standards as they apply to higher education. Regulatory Frameworks: Expert level understanding of federal and state regulations, including Uniform Guidance ("2 CFR 200"), Title IV financial aid regulations, and Connecticut state statutes. Risk Management: Deep knowledge of the COSO Internal Control Framework and Enterprise Risk Management (ERM). Strategic Influence: Advanced interpersonal and negotiation skills to manage sensitive discussions with executive leadership, deans, and department heads regarding audit findings and remediation. Executive Communication: Superior ability to translate complex financial or technical data into clear, high level narratives for the Board of Regents and the Audit Committee. Leadership & Mentorship: Proven ability to coach junior staff, provide constructive peer review of workpapers, and foster a culture of professional skepticism and integrity. Independent Execution: Analyze complex financial records, internal controls, and operational workflows entirely with little guidance, while often providing direction to others. Strategic Reporting: Synthesize vast amounts of narrative and statistical data into comprehensive reports that emphasize root causes and offer forward looking, strategic recommendations. Advanced Data Analytics: Design and execute complex data queries and automated testing scripts (using SQL, ACL, or advanced Excel Power Query) to identify trends, anomalies, and potential fraud across ERP systems like Banner or PeopleSoft. Critical Judgment: Apply professional skepticism to evaluate the tone at the top and the effectiveness of the control environment across diverse campus locations. Candidates must possess the proven ability to effectively work with culturally, linguistically, and ethnically diverse faculty, staff, and students. They are expected to have excellent interpersonal oral and written communication skills and strong information technology literacy skills such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams). Starting Salary: Minimum salary: $106,523 (approximate annual). Salary will be based on the selected candidate's qualifications such as education and job related experience and internal equity. Benefits include medical insurance, retirement, and related fringe benefits. Benefits: We offer a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family, and plan for a secure future. Benefits include generous leave policies, several retirement plans, and many choices for comprehensive health insurance. You also have access to many additional benefits to save for retirement, protect your family and more with supplemental benefits. Tuition reimbursement may apply if applicable. CSCU does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, marital status, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, learning disability or physical disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or criminal record. For inquiries regarding the non discrimination policies, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io. CSCU IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER, M/F. #J-18808-Ljbffr