Operations and Practices Support Auditor

Columbia Bank • Spokane Valley, WA

42d • $75,000 - $85,000

About The Position

About the Role: Support Internal Audit governance and operational activities in meeting stakeholder expectations and aligning to industry (specifically, IIA Global Standards) and regulatory guidance. Plan and execute a wide range of assurance activities to assess risks and controls over assigned processes. Work in agile teams to prioritize assurance work and required tasks with flexibility to shift with department priorities. Assigned tasks, projects, and audits may report to different supervisors in a matrix team. Monitor risks and understand data trends of designated areas and provide recommendations for future coverage. Provide effective challenge to audit work products to maintain quality standards aligned to IIA and department guidance. Support the Quality Assurance and Improvement Program to continuously improve Internal Audit quality, efficiency, and effectiveness. Oversee completion of audit issue validation efforts and liaise with Enterprise Risk Management to facilitate centralized issue reporting. Be adept at navigating multiple systems and software to aid the audit department in audit plan completion (ex. TeamMate, Archer, Smartsheet, Tempus) Incorporate best practices into department processes and update Internal Audit governance and operational guidance. Work within a team to plan, scope, and execute risk-based assurance projects. Deliver high quality results, on-time, within budget expectations, and in conformity with applicable professional and regulatory standards. Formulate meaningful, well-supported audit conclusions and provide practical recommendations for areas requiring attention or corrective action. Continuously monitor the risk profile of assigned processes by analyzing data trends, incorporating internal and external factors, and assessing assurance activities. Document results within risk assessments and recommend changes to the multi-year audit plan as applicable. Maintain clear communication channels to keep audit clients and Internal Audit Management aware of progress, challenges, and issues. Develop and maintain effective working relationships with audit clients, business unit leadership, risk/compliance partners, vendors, and within the Internal Audit department. Present the results of audits and special projects to Internal Audit Leadership, Executive Management, and External Auditors. Support responses to regulatory requests. Participate in working groups to support the Internal Audit strategic vision and priorities. Demonstrates compliance with all bank regulations for assigned job function and applies to designated job responsibilities – knowledge may be gained through coursework and on-the-job training. Keeps up to date on industry and regulation changes. Follows all Bank policies and procedures, compliance regulations, and completes all required annual or job-specific training. Maintain a working knowledge of Bank's written policies and procedures regarding Bank Secrecy Act, Regulation CC, Regulation E, Bank Security and other regulations as applicable to this job description. May be asked to coach, mentor, or train others and teach coursework as subject matter expert. Actively learns, demonstrates, and fosters the Columbia corporate culture in all actions and words. Takes personal initiative and is a positive example for others to emulate. Embraces our vision to become “Business Bank of Choice” May perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• 2-4 years of experience in internal or external auditing, risk management, compliance, or related role; or combination of business/operational and auditing/risk management experience required.
• Demonstrated intellectual curiosity, strong moral compass, and continuous improvement mindset required.
• Effective professional communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills required.
• Willingness and ability to develop relationships with co-workers and audit clients.
• Committed to continuous learning, ability to work as part of a team using remote collaboration tools, and comfortable sharing ideas with others required.
• General understanding of project management techniques required with willingness to refine this skill set.

Nice To Haves

• Intermediate knowledge and skills in auditing, compliance, or risk management approaches, tools, and techniques preferred.
• Business or banking operational expertise required in lieu of audit experience.
• Broad, general knowledge of the banking and financial services industry and operations preferred.
• Previous bank internal auditing or external auditing experience considered preferred.
• Knowledge of banking and financial services regulatory requirements, such as FDIC, FRB, CFPB, FINRA, etc. preferred
• Data analytics and visualization, automation, and generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) experience preferred.
• Occasional travel may be required.

Responsibilities

• Support Internal Audit governance and operational activities
• Plan and execute a wide range of assurance activities to assess risks and controls over assigned processes
• Work in agile teams to prioritize assurance work and required tasks with flexibility to shift with department priorities
• Monitor risks and understand data trends of designated areas and provide recommendations for future coverage
• Provide effective challenge to audit work products to maintain quality standards aligned to IIA and department guidance
• Support the Quality Assurance and Improvement Program to continuously improve Internal Audit quality, efficiency, and effectiveness
• Oversee completion of audit issue validation efforts and liaise with Enterprise Risk Management to facilitate centralized issue reporting
• Incorporate best practices into department processes and update Internal Audit governance and operational guidance
• Work within a team to plan, scope, and execute risk-based assurance projects
• Deliver high quality results, on-time, within budget expectations, and in conformity with applicable professional and regulatory standards
• Formulate meaningful, well-supported audit conclusions and provide practical recommendations for areas requiring attention or corrective action
• Continuously monitor the risk profile of assigned processes by analyzing data trends, incorporating internal and external factors, and assessing assurance activities
• Document results within risk assessments and recommend changes to the multi-year audit plan as applicable
• Maintain clear communication channels to keep audit clients and Internal Audit Management aware of progress, challenges, and issues
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with audit clients, business unit leadership, risk/compliance partners, vendors, and within the Internal Audit department
• Present the results of audits and special projects to Internal Audit Leadership, Executive Management, and External Auditors
• Support responses to regulatory requests
• Participate in working groups to support the Internal Audit strategic vision and priorities
• Demonstrates compliance with all bank regulations for assigned job function and applies to designated job responsibilities
• Keeps up to date on industry and regulation changes
• Follows all Bank policies and procedures, compliance regulations, and completes all required annual or job-specific training
• Maintain a working knowledge of Bank's written policies and procedures regarding Bank Secrecy Act, Regulation CC, Regulation E, Bank Security and other regulations as applicable to this job description
• May be asked to coach, mentor, or train others and teach coursework as subject matter expert
• Actively learns, demonstrates, and fosters the Columbia corporate culture in all actions and words
• Takes personal initiative and is a positive example for others to emulate
• Embraces our vision to become “Business Bank of Choice”
• May perform other duties as assigned

Benefits

• We offer eligible associates comprehensive healthcare coverage (medical, dental, and vision plans), a 401(k)-retirement savings plan with employer match for qualifying associate contributions, an employee assistance program, life insurance, disability insurance, tuition assistance, mental health resources, identity theft protection, legal support, auto and home insurance, pet insurance, access to an online discount marketplace, and paid vacation, sick days, volunteer days, and holidays.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed