Temporary Internal Auditor

HERITAGE BANK•Portland, OR

8d•Onsite

About The Position

Heritage Bank is hiring a temporary Internal Auditor for its Internal Audit team, based primarily at the Southern Operations Center in Tacoma, Washington. Depending on skills and experience, other Heritage Bank locations in Olympia, Washington, or Portland, Oregon, may be considered. This is a full-time, Monday-through-Friday assignment, generally scheduled from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., for approximately 90 days from November 2026 through February 2027. The Internal Auditor performs operational, financial, and compliance audits, including defining audit objectives and scope, establishing procedures, and reviewing internal controls for compliance with policies and procedures. The role conducts and documents audit testing, prepares reports within established timelines, presents findings to management and, when necessary, the Audit Committee, and monitors and tests Sarbanes-Oxley Act Section 404 internal controls over financial reporting. The auditor also tracks and follows up on audit findings and maintains current knowledge of accounting, auditing, compliance, legal, and regulatory requirements affecting the industry. The position requires recent audit experience and relevant SOX experience, along with a bachelor's degree in a relevant field or an equivalent combination of education, certifications, and relevant experience as described in the posting. The auditor is expected to provide responsive service to internal customers, communicate effectively across business lines and organizational levels, work independently while coordinating with others, exercise sound judgment and discretion with confidential information, and manage multiple assignments and deadlines. The role uses standard office and computer equipment and is based in a climate-controlled office environment, with possible work at other locations or remotely as needed.

Requirements

At least 5 years of recent experience in public accounting and/or at a publicly traded company in an external or internal audit role, including relevant SOX experience performing operational and financial audits of processes and controls.
Bachelor's degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, or a relevant course of study; an equivalent combination of education, certifications, and relevant experience in audit, accounting, compliance, or risk management in a team lead role may be considered.
Strong working knowledge of accounting principles, control procedures, and audit standards, practices, and techniques.
Ability to understand and apply principles, procedures, compliance requirements, state and federal regulations, and policies relevant to assigned areas.
Knowledge of financial institution policies and procedures and bank products and services, with working experience in operations, lending, and deposit-related rules and regulations.
Ability to quickly understand the company's overall control environment and assess key controls in business processes.
Strong listening, verbal, written, telephone, questioning, and presentation skills, including the ability to communicate clearly and persuasively with varied audiences across business lines and levels.
Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English well.
Effective analytical skills, attention to detail, accuracy, organization, problem-solving, data review, and time management skills.
Ability to assimilate data quickly, make decisions, and take appropriate action.
Ability to manage multiple assignments and deadlines with minimal oversight and direction.
Integrity and a strong moral and ethical foundation.
Ability to work independently and coordinate work efforts in a timely manner.
Proficiency with MS Office products, including Word, Excel, and Outlook, and data retrieval.
Working knowledge of automated financial management and accounting systems and financial services core processing systems, with ability to learn new products and technologies quickly.
Regular attendance and punctuality, adherence to an agreed-upon schedule, and willingness to work a flexible and/or rotating schedule, extended hours, and at other locations or remotely as needed.

Nice To Haves

Community bank and financial services industry experience.

Responsibilities

Perform operational, financial, and compliance audit functions.
Determine audit objectives and scope, audit procedures, and internal control review requirements.
Perform audit testing and document results in the audit program.
Prepare audit reports within established timelines.
Present audit findings to management and, as necessary, the Audit Committee.
Monitor and test Sarbanes-Oxley Act Section 404 internal controls over financial reporting.
Monitor and follow up on audit findings.
Maintain current knowledge of accounting principles, auditing and compliance standards, and applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
Respond to internal customer needs, questions, and concerns accurately, effectively, and promptly, and solicit feedback to improve service.
Coordinate work efforts with management, employees, and departments while working independently.
Manage multiple assignments and reporting requests, set priorities, and meet commitments and deadlines.
Handle sensitive, confidential, and proprietary information tactfully and discreetly.
Disclose potentially illegal, criminal, or unethical business practices or data.