Lead Auditor

Lead Auditor

The Audit Manager is responsible for leading risk-based internal audit activities aligned with the approved annual audit plan, issuing internal audit reports for the area(s) where audit responsibility has been assigned, and other management-requested projects, including investigations, as assigned. The Manager has primary responsibility for scheduling, supervising, and completing audit projects, overseeing quality and consistency of audit execution across engagements, ensuring alignment with standards and expectations, and the training and development of assigned audit staff.

The Manager maintains effective working relationships with executive and business unit/functional unit management and serves as a trusted advisor on risk, controls, and process improvement, and assists in performing special projects, as assigned.

Essential Functions:

Under the direction of the VP, Audit Services, the Manager, Internal Audit is responsible for the following:

Support execution of the Internal Audit strategy by aligning engagement scopes, resources, and methodologies with enterprise risk priorities and organizational objectives

Develop and maintain audit client relationships that promote engagement, transparency, and value added outcomes

Be the primary audit liaison with the applicable business unit/functional unit management to build rapport, remain informed of ongoing initiatives and issues, and proactively identify emerging risks and control considerations

Develop and maintain audit networking relationships with external organizations, as required

Adhere to approved Audit Services procedures and internal auditing standards including IIA Standards while continuously improving the efficiency and effectiveness of internal audit processes

Sponsor, oversee and / or lead advisory and consultative engagements that provide timely insights on process design, governance, and risk mitigation

Manage departmental policies, procedures, and governance practices to ensure consistency, quality, and compliance with professional standards

Ensure that policies and procedures are thoroughly and consistently communicated throughout the organization

Contribute to performance measurement and continuous improvement initiatives, including post engagement assessments, efficiency metrics, and incorporation of lessons learned

Keep abreast of accounting, legal, and regulatory issues relating to a variety of areas, including information technology, industry, financial, communication, safety, human resources, and other areas associated with Company functions

Support and drive the use of data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) as part of our audit methodology to promote innovation and efficiencies

Identify issues, risks, and improvement opportunities, and collaborate with management to develop practical, value-added solutions

Ensure Management Action Plans are monitored, validated, and closed in a timely manner

Comprehensive understanding of GAAP, internal controls and familiarity with the COSO framework

Ability to prioritize tasks and change focus as new information becomes available and to work on multiple projects at the same time meeting deadlines

Perform administrative and people-management responsibilities for assigned team members, including performance feedback, development planning, and workforce planning responsibilities along with budgeting for audit engagements, approving travel, expense reports, and leave requests

Assist with department-wide administrative duties, as applicable or assigned, including quarterly updates to the Audit Committee

Coordinate activities with external auditors, where applicable, to promote audit efficiency, reduce duplication of effort, and support reliance strategies

Demonstrate sound judgment, accountability, and the ability to independently lead complex initiatives

Exercise discretion in the review and retention of records to ensure confidentiality of matters that come to attention

Demonstrated experience leading audit project teams

Perform other duties delegated by leadership or as assigned

Education: Bachelor's degree or MBA in Accounting, Finance or business related field required

CPA, CIA or other relevant professional certification required

Experience: Typically requires 810 years of progressive experience in audit, accounting, finance, compliance, or operational disciplines, including demonstrated experience leading audit engagements and managing teams

Public accounting and/or utility industry experience is a plus

SAP, IDEA, Tableau and TeamMate+ experience is a plus