Internal Audit Senior Associate

Cushman & Wakefield•Chicago, IL

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

This is a Senior role within the Internal Audit Department, reporting to the Director of Internal Audit. This role is responsible for assisting with engagements that support the strategy, vision, and brand of the Internal Audit function. This includes executing audits and advisory reviews to assess, report on, and recommend value-added and practical improvements to address Cushman & Wakefield’s financial, operational, and compliance objectives. The Senior will provide management with assurance as to the adequacy and effectiveness of internal financial and operational controls within the company. The expectation is that a successful candidate will build a strong network across the organization and rotate into a position of increasing responsibility outside of Internal Audit within 2-3 years of starting.

Requirements

Minimum of 2-3+ years of external/internal auditing with a public accounting firm and/or internal auditing or accounting role with a publicly traded or privately held firm.
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Information Systems, and/or business-related degree with CPA, CIA, and/or other well-known AICPA and/or IIA credentials preferred
Demonstrates knowledge of IIA Professional Practices and Standards
Demonstrates basic knowledge of technology-enabled business processes and related risks
Demonstrates knowledge and practical use of data analytics, visualization, and AI-enabled in audit work
Strong organizational skills and the ability to handle competing priorities, while meeting all deadlines
Demonstrates critical thinking, problem-solving, and sound professional judgment
Demonstrates ability to collaborate and build relationships with Senior Leadership and colleagues
Demonstrates intellectual curiosity and willingness to learn emerging technologies, analytics techniques, and AI-enabled tools
Ability to analyze data, identify trends and anomalies, and apply insights to operational and audit-related activities
Strong written and oral communication skills
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
Working knowledge of the commercial real estate industry preferred but not required
Up to 40% travel
Manage priorities across various teams and deliverables, executing to deadlines
Apply knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles
Build strong relationships with stakeholders
Problem-solve root causes collaboratively.
Demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving that result in process improvements
Demonstrate analytical, accounting and audit skills
Develop process flow charts and process narratives utilizing Microsoft Visio and Word/Excel
Conduct data analytics and analyze datasets utilizing Microsoft Excel, SQL, Python, AI-enabled tools, or other analytics technologies to identify trends, anomalies, operational risks, and potential process inefficiencies
Analyze datasets to identify trends, anomalies, operational risks, and potential process inefficiencies
Leverage emerging technologies and AI-enabled tools to support research, analysis, and audit execution
Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize, follow-through, and manage multiple tasks, responsibilities, and deadlines
Self-starter with flexibility, desire, and eagerness to take ownership of related tasks and responsibilities in order to keep the project on schedule
Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills
Strong analytical and data analysis skills utilizing Microsoft Excel, visualization tools, SQL, Python, AI-enabled tools, and other analytics technologies
Intellectual curiosity and willingness to leverage emerging technologies and AI-enabled tools to improve research, analysis, and audit execution
Strong analytical mindset with the ability to identify trends, anomalies, operational risks, and process inefficiencies
Growth mindset to learn new skills, network across the organization, and take on increasing leadership responsibilities within Internal Audit with the goal of rotating into a position of increasing responsibility outside of Internal Audit within 2-3 years of starting

Nice To Haves

CPA, CIA, and/or other well-known AICPA and/or IIA credentials preferred
Working knowledge of the commercial real estate industry preferred but not required

Responsibilities

Support the Department in ensuring the execution of a comprehensive annual audit plan
Ownership for execution of planning, fieldwork, and reporting for audit and advisory engagements
Develop risk-based audit programs and testing procedures relevant to compliance with Global/Regional/Local regulations and business objectives
Assess operating risks and efficiency of internal controls, including performing a gap analysis to identify control weaknesses with a degree of professional skepticism
Assess operating risks, efficiency of internal controls, and effectiveness of business processes, including performing a gap analysis to identify control weaknesses with a degree of professional skepticism
Conduct interviews with audit clients and communicate issues in a timely manner, co-developing action plans as necessary to address root causes
Ensure audit conclusions are supported, well-documented, and based on a firm understanding of the business processes, circumstances, and risks
Develop clear, concise, and complete audit workpapers to ensure they meet IIA standards
Draft audit report to conclude on the areas audited and issues identified and ensure management remediation plans are developed to address the root cause and associated risks
Assist with audit report socialization and recommendations to Senior Leadership in a clear, concise, and professional manner
Effectively track and follow-up on audit findings from report issuance to remediation to evaluate the adequacy of corrective actions
Seek to fully understand relevant risks to the firm and proactively research and showcase firm understanding of relevant laws, regulations, and best practices
Maintain strong working relationships with all levels of employees, including Operations and Senior Leadership
Develop and promote process enhancements within Internal Audit to cultivate best-in-class audit processes and maintain the highest quality standards
Develop and promote process enhancements, automation opportunities, and technology-enabled solutions within Internal Audit to cultivate best-in-class audit processes and maintain the highest quality standards
Conduct data analytics using various appropriate tools to properly support audit findings and advisory engagements
Conduct data analytics utilizing visualization, automation, and AI-enabled tools to support audit findings, identify trends and anomalies, and enhance advisory engagements
Utilize critical thinking and analytical techniques to evaluate datasets, identify trends, anomalies, operational inefficiencies, and root causes
Leverage emerging technologies and AI-enabled tools to improve audit efficiency, research, analysis, and overall audit execution
Serve as a trusted advisor to the business and brand ambassador for C&W’s Internal Audit Department