Internal Audit - Operational Audit Lead

HP•Houston, TX

About The Position

This role is responsible for independently executing the entire audit process, from initiation to conclusion, with efficiency and autonomy. The role ensures project completion by prioritizing tasks, coordinating tasks, and delegating efficiently. The role contributes to audit planning, identifies opportunities for compliance enhancement, leads projects, delivers audit reports to senior management, and stays updated on industry trends. The role also applies advanced subject matter knowledge, builds relationships, and may provide mentoring to junior staff. The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical capabilities, deep operational knowledge, and the ability to provide strategic recommendations that drive continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Requirements

Four-year or Graduate Degree in Business Administration, Economics, Finance, or any other related discipline or commensurate work experience or demonstrated competence.
Typically has 7-10 years of work experience, preferably in audit policies, operating principles, or a related field.
Accounting
Audit Engagements
Audit Planning
Auditing
Auditor's Report
Business Process
Data Analysis
Economics
External Auditing
Finance
Financial Services
Financial Statements
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
Internal Auditing
Internal Controls
Project Management
Public Accounting
Risk Analysis
Risk Management
Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) Compliance
Effective Communication
Results Orientation
Learning Agility
Digital Fluency
Customer Centricity

Nice To Haves

Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
CISA, CRMA, CMA, or other relevant certifications

Responsibilities

Facilitates and performs the entire spectrum of audit activities from inception to culmination, executing autonomously and proficiently with minimal assistance and guidance.
Ensures project completion by prioritizing tasks, effectively delegating, monitoring progress, and foreseeing conflicts or dependencies within a complex framework characterized by demanding schedules.
Contributes to the formulation of audit plans, evaluates the optimal timing for audit planning, and ensures meticulous audit engagement and coordination.
Identifies avenues for enhancing compliance, evaluates and suggests best audit practices to mitigate risk.
Coordinates and escalates unresolved matters to the audit team and management for prompt resolution.
Leads certain projects, scrutinizes audit data, and delivers formally documented audit results reports and recommendations to senior management.
Reviews documentation, work papers, findings, and recommendations for concerned audits, offering constructive feedback on projects, and also conducts post-audit assessments.
Stays up to date in industry insights, emerging audit methodologies, policies, and standards, utilized systems and applications, benchmarks, evolving risks and trends, and the organization’s Internal Audit (IA) landscape.
Applies advanced subject matter knowledge, leads, and contributes to complex projects, and exercises independent judgment in resolving business issues and establishing policies.
Develops and builds productive internal/external working relationships and may provide mentoring and guidance to lower-level employees.
Identify control gaps, process inefficiencies, and emerging risks, providing clear and actionable recommendations.
Prepare high‑quality audit reports summarizing observations, risks, and improvement opportunities
Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to strengthen internal controls and support process improvements

Benefits

Health insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Long term/short term disability insurance
Employee assistance program
Flexible spending account
Life insurance
Generous time off policies, including; 4-12 weeks fully paid parental leave based on tenure
11 paid holidays
Additional flexible paid vacation and sick leave