Senior Associate, RAS – Financial Services

BDO USA•Los Angeles, CA

28d•$85,000 - $100,000

About The Position

Job Summary: The Risk Advisory Services – Financial Services (“RAS-FS”) Senior Associate is responsible for providing risk consulting and issues resolution to financial services clients in the areas of internal audit, business process improvement/transformation, regulatory compliance, risk management, information technology, and/or Sarbanes-Oxley (“SOX”). In this role, the RAS-FS Senior Associate participates in all stages of internal audit or consulting engagements, and provides assistance with planning, field work, engagement wrap up, and report composition, along with providing recommendations regarding client risk management. Job Duties: Acts as primary day-to-day contact for clients regarding basic questions and information Conducts informational interviews and facilitates meetings with clients during engagement process Obtains information, documents, and data from clients to support the completion of analyses and research of client issues Documents and analyzes clients’ processes, risks, and controls with guidance and direction from senior RAS-FS professionals Develops initial deliverables and/or solutions to client issues Reassesses risks and communicates with senior RAS-FS professionals and/or client as necessary Assists with management of engagements to ensure engagement metrics are achieved Utilizes research tools, databases, and trade publications to develop understanding of client’s industry Develops relationships with client personnel and management members Prepares formal and informal presentations for client meetings Partners with RAS-FS leadership to complete research and draft proposals and reports as necessary Implements project plans, and maintains all documentation and work papers associated with client engagements Conducts risk assessment of assigned departments and/or functional areas in established / required timeline, while overseeing staff Develops risk-based audit programs / designs test procedures Determines scope of projects in conjunction with the Engagement Manager Documents understanding of internal audit areas and/or processes, and identifies associated relevant risks and key controls Assesses internal control design and operational effectiveness Conducts audit testing of specified areas and/or processes, and identifies reportable issues and dimension of risk (impact and likelihood) Determines compliance with applicable regulations and/or policies and procedures Communicates findings to senior management and drafts comprehensive reports for audited areas Other duties as required Ability to travel as needed

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance, required
Two (2) or more years of banking, asset management, brokerage, and/or other financial services experience within a public accounting firm or financial institution performing internal audit, compliance, risk management, and/or other related risk/control functions, required
Experience with internal controls including SOX/FDICIA flowcharts, documentation, and testing of controls, required
Experience with IT audit and SOX with a focus on entity-wide risk assessment, required
One (1) or more years of experience in performing internal audits of banking, asset management, brokerage, and/or other financial services activities as follows, required: Lending Activities (e.g., Consumer Loans/Commercial Loans/Portfolio Management/Problem Loan Management/ALLL) Treasury and Finance (e.g., Accounting & Controllers/Investments & Treasury/ALM/Liquidity Mgmt./Borrowing/Reg. Reporting) Core Regulatory Requirements (e.g., Consumer/Lending/Privacy/Operational/Compliance/Risk Management) Bank/Asset Management/Brokerage Operations (e.g., Branch Admin. & Retail Banking/Electronic Banking/Deposit Operations/Vendor Management/ERM/Trade Execution - Capture, Match, Settle, Reconcile and Report/New Client On-Boarding/Account Management) Human Resources (e.g., Payroll/Employee Benefits/Regulatory Compliance/Ethics Management/Training Program)
One (1) or more years of supervisory experience, required
Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, required
Solid understanding and experience planning and coordinating the stages to perform internal audits within financial institutions
Knowledge of internal controls within and professional standards and regulations applicable to financial institutions
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Ability to adapt style and messaging to effectively communicate with professionals at all levels both within client organizations and the Firm
Ability to successfully multi-task while working independently and within a group environment
Superior analytical and diagnostic skills
Capable of working in a demanding, deadline driven environment with a focus on details, accuracy, and responsiveness
Ability to adapt to rapidly changing environments successfully
Solid organizational skills, especially ability to meet project deadlines with a focus on details
Capable of effectively supervising RAS-FS Associates and/or Interns and delegating work assignments as needed
Build and maintain strong relationships with client personnel

Nice To Haves

CPA, CIA, CISA, and/or CFSA certification, preferred
Experience with various internal audit applications and research tools, preferred

Responsibilities

Acts as primary day-to-day contact for clients regarding basic questions and information
Conducts informational interviews and facilitates meetings with clients during engagement process
Obtains information, documents, and data from clients to support the completion of analyses and research of client issues
Documents and analyzes clients’ processes, risks, and controls with guidance and direction from senior RAS-FS professionals
Develops initial deliverables and/or solutions to client issues
Reassesses risks and communicates with senior RAS-FS professionals and/or client as necessary
Assists with management of engagements to ensure engagement metrics are achieved
Utilizes research tools, databases, and trade publications to develop understanding of client’s industry
Develops relationships with client personnel and management members
Prepares formal and informal presentations for client meetings
Partners with RAS-FS leadership to complete research and draft proposals and reports as necessary
Implements project plans, and maintains all documentation and work papers associated with client engagements
Conducts risk assessment of assigned departments and/or functional areas in established / required timeline, while overseeing staff
Develops risk-based audit programs / designs test procedures
Determines scope of projects in conjunction with the Engagement Manager
Documents understanding of internal audit areas and/or processes, and identifies associated relevant risks and key controls
Assesses internal control design and operational effectiveness
Conducts audit testing of specified areas and/or processes, and identifies reportable issues and dimension of risk (impact and likelihood)
Determines compliance with applicable regulations and/or policies and procedures
Communicates findings to senior management and drafts comprehensive reports for audited areas
Supervises the day-to-day workload of RAS-FS Associates and/or Interns on assigned engagements and reviews work products to ensure quality standards are met
Ensures RAS-FS Associates and/or Interns are trained on all relevant audit and other software and engagement processes and procedures
Delivers periodic performance feedback and completes performance evaluations for RAS-FS Associates and/or Interns
Acts as mentor to RAS-FS Associates and/or Interns as appropriate
Other duties as required
Ability to travel as needed