Chief Internal Auditor

Arizona Department of Administration • Phoenix, AZ

1d • $88,000 - $140,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Arizona Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS) is seeking a qualified Chief Internal Auditor. This role reports functionally to the Board of Trustees via the Administration (Audit) Committee and administratively to the PSPRS Administrator. The primary responsibility is to plan, perform, and direct audits to ensure operational efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance with internal policies, procedures, laws, regulations, and contract terms. The Chief Internal Auditor also conducts employer and local board compliance audits and leads a team of two auditors. The position may offer remote work within Arizona based on business needs and performance.

Requirements

• Knowledge of audit standards, techniques and principals
• Knowledge of audit supervisory principles and practices
• Knowledge of report writing skills
• Knowledge of Federal, state and departmental policies and procedures
• Knowledge of Arizona Revised Statues
• Knowledge of institutional investment principles, practices and regulations
• Knowledge of data analytics techniques and software
• Knowledge of common computer software (Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint)
• Skill in planning, prioritizing, organizing, budgeting, and directing an audit program.
• Skill in working and communicating with others from a staff level to the top management levels
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Skill in planning, supervising and/or conducting a financial, compliance and/or operational audit in an entity operating in a complex environment
• Skill in analyzing a variety of information including financial, accounting and other business operations and systems
• Skill in interpreting accounting principles at a complex level
• Ability to plan, supervise and conduct a financial, compliance and/or operational audit in an entity operating in a complex, multi-automated environment and analyze a variety of information including accounting, investment, information technology and operational
• Ability to problem solve: Assess processes, identify areas for improvement, and recommend solutions
• Ability to be a critical thinker: Look beyond the immediate explanation to identify possible areas for additional review, and analyze and interpret the audit work of others
• Ability to take initiative: Identify anomalies and inconsistencies
• Ability to be collaborative: Work in both a team environment and independently
• Ability to be a public speaker: Communicate findings and recommendations to the process owners, management and the Board of Trustees
• Ability to be results-oriented: Perform reviews addressing internal control issues of PSPRS policies and procedures

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university with specialization in accounting, auditing, business administration or related field.
• Certified Public Accountant, Certified Internal Auditor or Certified Information Systems Auditor.
• Professional experience as a lead auditor for a public pension, large fund, financial institutions or similar organization.
• Significant demonstrated experience performing audits independently.
• Familiarity and understanding of institutional investments and/or pension plans.
• Familiarity with data analytics.

Responsibilities

• Act as the primary point of contact for the Administrator for handling all matters related to audits, examinations, investigations or inquiries of the Auditor General’s Office and any and all external auditors and consultants associated with audits to ensure deliverables meet auditor compliance and risk standards.
• Plans, performs and directs financial, compliance and operational audits of agency functions, programs and contracts, including oversight of contracted audits.
• Perform independent analyses of significant operations to evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of existing systems of internal control and the quality of performance (economy, efficiency, and effectiveness) in carrying out its business objectives.
• As appropriate in maintaining independence of the Internal Audit Office, provide advisory services to management that add value and improve the agency’s governance, risk management, and control processes.
• Complete special requests or projects as directed by the Board of Trustees or Administrator.
• Supervises employees and coordinates personnel-related activities.
• Attend monthly meetings with the Board of Trustees and their subcommittees and report on the progress and findings of the Internal Audit function.
• Perform an annual enterprise-wide risk assessment and develop and administer the annual Internal Audit plan using a risk-based methodology and assure compliance with auditing standards and guidelines.
• Conduct audit follow-up to monitor and report on the status of management actions, including effective implementation or senior management acceptance of risk.
• Implement a quality assurance and improvement program. Obtain an external assessment no less frequently than every five years.
• Manage the Internal Audit function annual budget and make related budget recommendations.

Benefits

• Workplace flexibility
• Learning environment
• Team-oriented culture
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Accrual of sick and annual leave
• Affordable medical benefits
• Participation in the Arizona State Retirement Plan (after 6 months of employment)
• Optional participation in a 457 deferred compensation program
• Employer matching on employee deferrals in the 457 plan (limited to a matching of 6% of salary on a per pay period basis)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager