Internal Audit Senior-Health and Research

UT Health San Antonio•San Antonio, TX

About The Position

Under limited supervision, a senior auditor is responsible for conducting moderate to complex audits, investigations, and consulting projects that cover academic, research, and healthcare operations, including hospital activities. This role reviews processes across research, medical, dental, and hospital environments to identify inefficiencies, control gaps, and compliance risks. The position ensures that audit findings and recommendations are practical and sustainable and confirms all exceptions to management so that reportable issues are addressed. May mentor lower-level members.

Requirements

Skilled in fraud prevention and detection, demonstrating strong awareness of risks and the ability to implement effective controls and investigative measures.
Skilled in auditing methodology, with advanced knowledge of audit frameworks, planning, testing, and reporting practices.
Understands healthcare and/or hospital regulations, billing, coding, reimbursement, and compliance risks.
Ability to evaluate revenue cycle internal controls to identify potential inefficiency and compliance risk.
Familiar with research compliance frameworks and grant administration requirements.
Detail-oriented, self-motivated, and accountable for deliverables.
Skilled in developing risk-based audit programs, testing controls, and drawing sound conclusions.
Supports institutional initiatives and workflow improvements collaboratively.
Strong critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
Handles broad assignments with original approaches.
Excellent project management, documentation, and multitasking skills.
Advanced in Microsoft Office suite and adaptable to new technologies.
Experienced with data analytics, audit tools, and emerging tech like AI.
Knowledgeable about enterprise systems (e.g., PeopleSoft, Hyperion, EPIC).
Strong communicator, both verbally and in writing.
Demonstrates a strong ability to integrate into diverse team cultures and work effectively in collaborative environments.
Adapts efficiently to changes in audit scope as the risk landscape evolves.
EDUCATION: A bachelor's degree in accounting, business, or another relevant discipline related to the job is required.
LICENCES/CERTIFICATIONS: Professional auditing certification (e.g. CPA, CIA, CISA, CFE) or candidate for certification is required.

Responsibilities

Support the implementation of the annual internal audit plan by conducting moderate to complex audits of the institution's functions, processes, and control activities to ensure information reliability, policy compliance, and achievement of operational objectives.
Evaluate adherence to federal and state regulations, institutional policies, and sponsor requirements, with emphasis on research administration, grant management, and clinical trials.
Utilize expertise in healthcare research regulations and compliance frameworks-including those governing clinical trials, grant-funded studies, and academic research protocols (e.g., NIH, FDA, OHRP, CMS, OMB Uniform Guidance, IRB, IACUC)-to assess conformance to institutional policies and relevant statutory requirements, identifying inefficiencies, control deficiencies, and areas at risk for non-compliance.
Apply comprehensive knowledge of healthcare and hospital regulations (such as HIPAA, Medicaid/Medicare, Joint Commission) to detect shortcomings, control weaknesses, and potential compliance issues in billing, coding, reimbursement, and related activities.
Conduct thorough evaluations of institutional business processes through interviews, process walkthroughs, and development of process narratives or flowcharts.
Document working papers in accordance with Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) and Government Auditing Standards (GAO).
Analyze evidence to identify gaps and improvement opportunities, assessing their impact to enhance process effectiveness.
Clearly communicate assigned tasks to engagement teams, ensuring the delivery of high-quality outcomes.
Ensure accurate and timely completion of audit assignments.
Prioritize audit work both individually and for project teams, escalating issues to Internal Audit management as necessary.
Provide project-specific feedback to Internal Audit management regarding team performance.
Facilitate communication of audit findings and recommendations via written reports and presentations to management.
Offer verbal and written recommendations for process and internal control enhancements.
Prepare comprehensive audit reports, ensure findings are acknowledged by management and recommendations are actionable and sustainable.
Validate management action plans with process owners and local management to confirm appropriate issue resolution.
Foster and maintain effective professional relationships with audit stakeholders.
Participate in learning programs, training sessions, and networking events while pursuing a defined career path.
Remain current with industry trends, regulatory developments, and best practices in healthcare, research, and hospital operations to sustain relevance and efficacy.
Perform additional duties as assigned.