Audit Project Manager

Western Alliance Bank•Phoenix, AZ

About The Position

As an Audit Project Manager you'll assist in the planning, execution, and reporting for various audits in your assigned coverage areas, supporting the execution of the department's annual audit plan. You'll prepare for, lead and wrap-up many aspects of your assigned audits, all within audit methodology. You'll evaluate processes and controls for adherence to bank policies and procedures, and compliance with federal and state banking regulations. You'll also assist in completing root cause analysis for identified issues to focus on strengthening and improving controls. You'll report to an Audit Director or Senior Audit Director; however, you'll lead a team of Auditor(s) and Senior Auditor(s), which can change with each audit, managing and reviewing their work. You'll have the opportunity of working with our audit leaders across the department, participating in audits in finance, banking operations, credit administration, risk management, and compliance disciplines. Your position promotes risk awareness in the enterprise through a positive and collaborative relationship with department heads, business leadership, and staff. In addition to audit execution, you'll meet regularly with department heads and business leaders to discuss audits, assess risks, evaluate issue remediation progress, provide feedback, and gather insights on business activities. Support the Audit Director and Associate Audit Director with audits across the organization and complete multiple audit assignments and/or projects. Ensure consideration and inclusion of data analytics along with other critical plan inputs for each assigned audit. Know, apply and ensures compliance with audit methodology. Understand risk management frameworks to help in internal control evaluation of audit assignments. Instrumental in the completion of all phases of the audit in compliance with audit methodology. Discuss and review audit scope with Associate Audit Director and Audit Director. Prepare audit planning documentation and risk & control matrix (including test approach for each control), delegate audit testing work as appropriate, may test higher risk or complex controls. Provide guidance and coaching to supporting staff throughout assigned audits. Review staff workpapers and provide comments to ensure compliance with stated requirements and objectives, IIA standards and audit methodology. Provide feedback/comments to assigned audit team. Clarify and clear audit review notes provided by the Associate Audit Director or Audit Director. Ensure appropriate and organized audit documentation within the audit software (Wdesk/Workiva). Perform additional testing as determined to be necessary. Work with co-source partners, when necessary, to provide an overall efficient audit process.Draft clear and concise audit issues, ensuring root cause analysis is completed. Assist in drafting comprehensive audit reports, including issue ratings and overall report ratings. Work with management to create effective management action plans in a timely manner. Monitor progress made by management toward completing action plans and manages assigned tests of validation prior to closing issues. Follow up on disposition of exceptions noted during audits, including internal, external and regulatory examination reports. Review, approve and close low risk issues assigned by the Audit Director or Associate Audit Director. Provide ad-hoc reports and status updates to supervisors.Comply with department annual training requirements and proactively drafts and discusses performance goals with Audit Director. Attend and participates in team, peer and one-on-one meetings. Own or contributes to department initiatives focused on audit methodologies and supporting technology based solutions as applicable. Lead and develop a team; responsible for hiring, coaching, performance management, training and development.

Requirements

5+ years of related experience in Internal Audit, Risk Management, Regulatory Compliance, Internal Audit, Risk Management, Regulatory Compliance, Internal Audit, Risk Management, Regulatory Compliance or similar field
Bachelor's degree in related field required
Intermediate experience and knowledge in your assigned internal audit area
Intermediate ability to deal with complex problems involving multiple facets and variables in non-standardized situations; define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions
Intermediate knowledge of applicable regulatory and legal compliance obligations, rules and regulations, industry standards and practices
Intermediate time management and organizational skills; knowledge of data analytic tools preferred
Intermediate knowledge of internal control analysis and risk assessment methodologies, COSO framework, Institute of Internal Auditor standards, FRB Supervisory Letter 13-1 standards, GAAP, and/or Sarbanes-Oxley Section 302/404 regulatory requirements
Advanced speaking and writing communication skills
Certified Public Accountant required
Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager required
Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist required
Occasional travel required

Nice To Haves

Previous leadership experience preferred
Certified Internal Auditor; Credit Risk Certification (RMA), Certification in Control Self-Assessment (IIA) or Certification in Risk Management Assurance (IIA); preferred

Responsibilities

Assist in the planning, execution, and reporting for various audits
Prepare for, lead and wrap-up many aspects of your assigned audits, all within audit methodology
Evaluate processes and controls for adherence to bank policies and procedures, and compliance with federal and state banking regulations
Assist in completing root cause analysis for identified issues to focus on strengthening and improving controls
Lead a team of Auditor(s) and Senior Auditor(s), which can change with each audit, managing and reviewing their work
Meet regularly with department heads and business leaders to discuss audits, assess risks, evaluate issue remediation progress, provide feedback, and gather insights on business activities
Support the Audit Director and Associate Audit Director with audits across the organization and complete multiple audit assignments and/or projects
Ensure consideration and inclusion of data analytics along with other critical plan inputs for each assigned audit
Know, apply and ensures compliance with audit methodology
Understand risk management frameworks to help in internal control evaluation of audit assignments
Instrumental in the completion of all phases of the audit in compliance with audit methodology
Discuss and review audit scope with Associate Audit Director and Audit Director
Prepare audit planning documentation and risk & control matrix (including test approach for each control), delegate audit testing work as appropriate, may test higher risk or complex controls
Provide guidance and coaching to supporting staff throughout assigned audits
Review staff workpapers and provide comments to ensure compliance with stated requirements and objectives, IIA standards and audit methodology
Provide feedback/comments to assigned audit team
Clarify and clear audit review notes provided by the Associate Audit Director or Audit Director
Ensure appropriate and organized audit documentation within the audit software (Wdesk/Workiva)
Perform additional testing as determined to be necessary
Work with co-source partners, when necessary, to provide an overall efficient audit process
Draft clear and concise audit issues, ensuring root cause analysis is completed
Assist in drafting comprehensive audit reports, including issue ratings and overall report ratings
Work with management to create effective management action plans in a timely manner
Monitor progress made by management toward completing action plans and manages assigned tests of validation prior to closing issues
Follow up on disposition of exceptions noted during audits, including internal, external and regulatory examination reports
Review, approve and close low risk issues assigned by the Audit Director or Associate Audit Director
Provide ad-hoc reports and status updates to supervisors
Comply with department annual training requirements and proactively drafts and discusses performance goals with Audit Director
Attend and participates in team, peer and one-on-one meetings
Own or contributes to department initiatives focused on audit methodologies and supporting technology based solutions as applicable
Lead and develop a team; responsible for hiring, coaching, performance management, training and development