Chief Internal Auditor

State of Oklahoma•Oklahoma City, OK

24d•$0 - $90,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Chief Internal Auditor plans, organizes, and oversees all internal auditing activities, including financial, operational, compliance, and performance audits. The position evaluates the adequacy of accounting systems, internal controls, risk management practices, and governance processes to ensure the effective stewardship of public assets and resources. The Chief Internal Auditor serves as a trusted advisor to leadership, promoting accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement across the organization while maintaining organizational independence, functional reporting alignment with the Audit Committee, and adherence to applicable professional auditing standards.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business, Finance, or a closely related field.
A minimum of 5–7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in auditing and/or accounting.
Generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), governmental accounting standards, and internal auditing standards.
Auditing theories, techniques, and best practices, including financial, operational, compliance, and performance auditing.
Risk management, internal controls, and governance frameworks.
Public administration principles and regulatory compliance.
Modern office practices and automated accounting and audit systems.
Ability to independently plan, conduct, and oversee complex audit engagements.
Ability to analyze financial and operational data, evaluate internal controls, and develop clear, actionable audit findings and recommendations.
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.
Maintains the highest standards of objectivity, confidentiality, and professional integrity.
Preserves organizational independence and credibility while navigating sensitive or high-impact issues.
Builds constructive professional relationships with Commissioners, executive leadership, management, and external auditors while maintaining appropriate independence and authority.
Ensures timely completion of high-quality audits that produce meaningful, actionable recommendations.
Monitors follow-up actions and drives continuous improvement of audit processes and methodologies.
Leverages audit technologies, data analytics tools, and information systems to enhance audit effectiveness, identify risk patterns, and strengthen oversight capabilities.
Maintains current knowledge of governmental auditing standards, regulatory requirements, and emerging risk trends to ensure audit practices remain compliant and aligned with professional standards.
Maintains effective functional reporting relationship with the Audit Committee, ensuring audit independence, transparency, and alignment with professional auditing standards.
Clear and accurate communication, strong analytical skills, and the ability to evaluate information and make timely decisions.
Sustained focus and attention to detail are essential, along with memory retention of policies, procedures, and facts over various time frames.
Adaptability and mental flexibility are also necessary to handle changing information, work conditions, and unexpected challenges.
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without sponsorship now or in the future.
Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.
Must possess a valid driver’s license from a U.S. state or territory to perform necessary job-related travel.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Accounting, Business, Finance, or closely related field.
Professional certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) preferred.
Progressively responsible professional experience in auditing and/or accounting within a governmental or public-sector environment.

Responsibilities

Plan, organize, and oversee all internal auditing activities, including financial, operational, compliance, and performance audits.
Evaluate the adequacy of accounting systems, internal controls, risk management practices, and governance processes to ensure the effective stewardship of public assets and resources.
Serve as a trusted advisor to leadership, promoting accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement across the organization.
Maintain organizational independence, functional reporting alignment with the Audit Committee, and adherence to applicable professional auditing standards.
Direct, plan, and oversee the internal audit function, including the development and execution of a risk-based annual audit plan.
Establish audit priorities aligned with organizational risks, statutory requirements, applicable internal audit standards, and the Commissioners’ objectives.
Manage departmental time, resources, and workload to ensure effective audit coverage and timely completion of audits.
Operate the internal audit function in accordance with the approved Audit Charter, which defines the authority, responsibility, reporting relationships, and scope of internal audit activities, consistent with professional auditing standards.
Plan, schedule, and oversee financial, operational, compliance, and performance audits.
Review audit workpapers for accuracy, completeness, and adherence to professional auditing standards.
Review, edit, and approve audit reports, ensuring findings and recommendations are clear, objective, and actionable.
Track audit progress and ensure appropriate follow-up on findings and management responses.
Present the annual risk-based audit plan, audit results, and significant risk or governance issues to the Audit Committee and Commissioners, and escalate matters related to independence, scope limitations, or management interference as appropriate.
Provide audit consultation, guidance, and resolution support to agency management and staff.
Communicate audit results and risk assessments to the Commissioners and leadership in a clear and professional manner.
Foster collaborative relationships while maintaining audit independence and objectivity.
Evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of accounting systems, internal controls, risk management practices, and governance processes.
Identify control gaps, emerging risks, and opportunities for improvement, and provide recommendations to enhance accountability, transparency, and operational effectiveness.
Act as a point of contact for state auditors, external auditors, and regulatory entities.
Coordinate audit activities, respond to audit requests, and facilitate the resolution of audit findings to ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and administrative rules.
Assess and enhance internal audit processes, methodologies, and procedures to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
Perform special projects and related duties as assigned by leadership or the Commissioners.

Benefits

Generous Benefits Allowance: Up to $21,934.08 annually, based on family size, to help cover the cost of benefits
Comprehensive Insurance Options: Choose from a variety of plans with no pre-existing condition exclusions or limitations
Flexible Spending Accounts: Pre-tax savings for healthcare and dependent care expenses.
Retirement: Pathfinder 401K with up to a 7% match
Generous Leave: Full-time employees receive 15 days of vacation and 15 days of sick leave in the first year
Paid Holidays: Enjoy 11 paid holidays each year
Paid Parental Leave: Eligible employees may receive up to six weeks of paid parental leave following the birth or adoption of a child after completing two years of service.
Employee Discounts: Access discounts with a variety of companies and vendors
Longevity Bonus: Receive a bonus after two years of service, with annual bonuses thereafter
Compensatory Time: Available for both FLSA exempt and nonexempt employees
Employee Assistance Program: Access confidential support and helpful resources for you and your family