Senior Internal Auditor

Job Description

Job Description

Overview

Group 1 Automotive, Inc., is seeking an experienced Senior Internal Auditor to join our Internal Audit team.

The Senior Internal Auditor is responsible for leading operational audits, advisory engagements, investigations, analytics-driven projects, and SOX compliance activities across the organization. Approximately 75% of the role is focused on operational audits, advisory engagements, investigations, and analytics-driven projects, with approximately 25% focused on traditional SOX control testing.

This position reports to an Internal Audit Manager, who provides engagement objectives, coaching, and quality oversight. The Senior Internal Auditor leads assigned engagements from planning and scoping through fieldwork, findings development, and reporting while providing coaching and workpaper review for staff auditors. Within each engagement, this role operates with a high degree of independence, manages multiple concurrent engagements, and partners with stakeholders across dealership operations and corporate functions to identify risk, improve processes, and develop practical recommendations that support business performance.

The ideal candidate is a self-directed and analytical audit professional who is comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment, managing ambiguity, and designing an audit approach based on the business objective rather than relying solely on predefined audit programs. Success in this role is measured by the ability to deliver actionable insights, reduce risk, strengthen controls, and drive meaningful process improvement. In return, it is an environment where strong auditors grow quickly: every engagement stretches a different skill, decisions carry real weight, and no two quarters look the same.

What This Role Offers You

• Real variety: Operational audits, advisory work, fraud investigations, and analytics projects across dealership operations, F&I, compliance, and corporate functions.
• Real ownership: You are given the question the business needs answered and the trust to design the approach with the Audit Manager. Your judgment is the tool we hired, not just your ability to execute a program.
• Modern tooling: A function already built on Qlik-based continuous monitoring, Alteryx, and Power BI, with AI embedded in daily audit work through OpenAI, Anthropic, and Microsoft Copilot tools, all managed on the Optro (AuditBoard) platform. You will sharpen skills here that most audit shops are still talking about adopting.
• Visibility: Your work reaches senior leadership, and strong work gets seen. This is a function with a track record of developing auditors into leaders.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

Operational Audit & Advisory

• Lead operational audits and advisory engagements from planning and scoping through fieldwork, findings development, and reporting.
• Assess operational efficiency, control effectiveness, business risks, and opportunities to improve business outcomes.
• Independently develop audit procedures and approaches based on engagement objectives and identified risks.
• Translate audit findings into practical, business-relevant recommendations that improve operations, strengthen controls, and reduce risk.
• Communicate findings and recommendations effectively with dealership, regional, and corporate leadership.

SOX Compliance & Internal Controls

• Perform and document SOX walkthroughs and control testing for assigned processes.
• Evaluate control design and operating effectiveness and identify potential control deficiencies.
• Coordinate remediation activities and follow-up with process owners and external audit.
• Maintain accurate and complete documentation supporting testing procedures and conclusions.

Data Analytics & Continuous Monitoring

• Incorporate data analytics into audit procedures and evaluate full populations rather than samples where practical.
• Utilize tools such as Qlik Sense, Alteryx, Power BI, Power Query, and SQL to extract, transform, and analyze data.
• Identify trends, anomalies, exceptions, and potential areas of risk through data analysis.
• Develop and automate repeatable audit procedures where appropriate.
• Support the design, maintenance, and interpretation of continuous monitoring analytics across key risk areas.
• Evaluate and escalate significant exceptions with clear, fact-based support.

Investigations & Special Projects

• Support and, where appropriate, lead investigations, fraud risk assessments, and special advisory projects.
• Analyze data, documentation, and other evidence to develop objective and well-supported conclusions.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality, independence, and professionalism throughout investigative activities.
• Support other risk-based projects and initiatives as business needs arise.

Engagement & Project Management

• Manage multiple audit and advisory engagements at different stages simultaneously.
• Independently manage project priorities, timelines, and deliverables while adjusting to changing risks and business needs.
• Communicate engagement status, issues, and potential delays proactively.
• Ensure engagements are completed timely and in accordance with departmental standards.

Staff Development & Review

• Review staff auditor workpapers for accuracy, completeness, quality, and appropriate support for conclusions.
• Provide timely and constructive feedback to staff auditors.
• Coach junior team members on audit methodology, documentation, analytical skills, and business acumen.
• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of the Internal Audit team.

Business Partnership & Communication

• Partner with Finance, Operations, Compliance, IT, and other business functions to understand processes, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Develop effective working relationships with dealership, regional, and corporate stakeholders while maintaining appropriate independence and objectivity.
• Develop a strong understanding of business operations to ensure audit activities remain focused on the risks and opportunities most relevant to the organization.
• Communicate complex audit matters clearly and effectively to both financial and non-financial stakeholders.

Audit Documentation & Professional Standards

• Prepare clear, concise, and well-supported audit reports.
• Maintain accurate and organized workpapers within Optro (AuditBoard).
• Perform audit activities in accordance with applicable IIA Global Internal Audit Standards, regulatory requirements, and departmental policies.
• Uphold the highest standards of integrity, objectivity, confidentiality, and professional conduct.
• Perform additional responsibilities as business needs dictate.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, Information Systems, Data Analytics, or a related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in internal audit, external audit, risk advisory, or a related field.
• Experience performing SOX walkthroughs and control testing.
• Strong understanding of financial and operational processes, internal controls, and risk assessment.
• Demonstrated experience leading audit engagements or significant audit workstreams.
• Experience reviewing the work of others and providing constructive feedback.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage multiple concurrent engagements and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to operate effectively with ambiguity and independently develop an audit approach based on engagement objectives.
• Working knowledge of data analysis tools and techniques (e.g., Qlik Sense, Alteryx, Power BI, Power Query, SQL) and demonstrated interest in data-driven auditing.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret complex information, distinguish fact from inference, and develop well-supported conclusions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to interact effectively with stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to develop practical recommendations that balance risk mitigation, internal controls, and business considerations.
• Ability to travel approximately 15%.

Preferred

• CIA, CPA, CISA, or equivalent professional certification, or actively pursuing a relevant certification.
• Operational audit, advisory, investigation, or fraud risk assessment experience.
• Experience using AI-enabled tools, including OpenAI, Anthropic, or Microsoft Copilot, to support audit or analytical activities.
• Experience with audit management platforms such as Optro (AuditBoard).
• Experience supporting continuous monitoring or automated audit procedures.
• Experience working within a large, multi-location retail or similarly complex organization.

Work Environment

• Hybrid corporate work environment with in-office collaboration and remote work based on the established department schedule. Current hybrid schedule includes remote work on Mondays and Fridays.
• Approximately 15% travel to dealerships and other business locations.
• Occasional flexibility may be required to support investigations, audit activities, or other critical business needs.