VP, Internal Audit

GreatAmerica•Cedar Rapids, IA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

GreatAmerica Financial Services is seeking a Vice President of Internal Audit to lead their Internal Audit Group. This role is responsible for the independent review and assessment of operational integrity, evaluating compliance with policies and procedures, and ensuring the effective safeguarding of company assets. The VP of Internal Audit will provide strategic direction and leadership to the Internal Audit team, employing a systematic and disciplined approach to evaluate and improve GreatAmerica’s risk management, control, and governance processes. This position reports to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors and administratively to the Chief Executive Officer.

Requirements

Bachelor’s and/or advanced degree in accounting, finance or another relevant field is required.
Certification of at least one of the following: CPA, CIA, or CFE.
Minimum of at least seven years of audit experience.
Internal Audit leadership experience within financial services, leasing and/or in a regulated bank environment strongly preferred.
Desired emphasis and experience in leading the design and completion of internal and/or external financial and operational audits.
Demonstrated experience leading the planning, execution, and reporting of risk-based internal audits, including financial, operational, compliance, and technology-related audits.
Proven leadership experience overseeing an internal audit function, including developing audit strategies, managing risk assessments, establishing annual and multi-year audit plans, and ensuring alignment with organizational risk priorities.
Experience presenting audit results, risk assessments, and control recommendations to senior leadership, executive management, and Boards or Audit Committees.
Strong background in evaluating internal controls, governance practices, and enterprise risk management frameworks, with the ability to adapt audit focus as business strategy, operations, or regulatory requirements evolve.
Experience working with external auditors, regulators, and third-party audit or consulting firms, including coordinating audit coverage and responding to regulatory or external examination activities.
Demonstrated people leadership experience, including hiring, developing, mentoring, and performance-managing audit professionals and building scalable audit team capabilities.
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, Data Analytics tools, Visio software, flowcharting tools and able to learn industry software efficient and effectively.
Deep knowledge of Internal Audit Standards (IIA) and leading practices related to internal controls, governance, and risk management.
Strong understanding of financial reporting, operational processes, compliance requirements, and regulatory expectations, particularly in regulated industries.
Ability to design and execute risk-based audit methodologies that balance assurance, advisory value, and organizational efficiency.
Strategic thinker with the ability to set direction for the Internal Audit function while maintaining independence and objectivity.
Proven ability to influence senior leaders and the Board through clear, concise, and credible communication.
Strong judgment and ethical grounding, particularly when navigating sensitive audit findings, compliance concerns, or regulatory issues.
Ability to prioritize competing demands, manage resource constraints, and adjust plans in response to business and risk changes.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly articulate complex issues to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Strong interpersonal skills enabling effective collaboration with executive leadership, regulators, auditors, and cross-functional partners.
Ability to build trust across the organization while appropriately challenging risk and control issues.
High degree of integrity, objectivity, and professional skepticism.
Detail-oriented with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Adaptable and resilient in a dynamic, evolving business environment.
Committed to continuous learning and staying current with audit, regulatory, and governance standards.
Ability and willingness to travel which is only occasional.
Willing to work more than 40 hour weeks as the demands of the department dictate.
Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa.

Nice To Haves

Experience leveraging data analytics, continuous auditing techniques, and audit technology tools to enhance audit effectiveness and insight is preferred.
Knowledge of the banking and leasing industries and the company operating systems are a plus and/or has the ability to learn these areas efficiently and effectively.

Responsibilities

Leads the Internal Audit function in a manner consistent with standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing, and with the expectations of the Audit Committee and its charter.
Develop strategy and align resources of the internal audit department that are consistent with the organization's risk management, control, and governance framework.
Leads the internal audit team as well as audit consultants where determined necessary.
Develop audit risk assessment with input and in consultation with senior leadership and the Audit Committee.
Establish risk-based audit plans to set out the priorities of the internal audit function and procedures to guide the internal audit function and ensure the quality of the assurance services delivered.
Ensure that internal audit resources are appropriate, sufficient and effectively deployed to achieve the internal audit plan approved by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
Coordinate internal auditing activities and plans with other internal and external providers of assurance and consulting activities to optimize coverage, cost, effectiveness, and effort.
Communicate plan of engagements and resource requirements for the internal audit function to the Audit Committee. This communication shall include the impact of resource limitations.
Effectively communicate and address regulatory or other external inquiry or examination activities.
Evaluates key risks and controls with a continuous perspective on changes in the business, as well as risk and control environment, and adjusts team focus and capabilities as needed.
Evaluates audit findings, prepares and presents results of audit work and recommendations to leadership and the Audit Committee.
Establish and maintain effective communication with leadership and staff across the organization.
Communicates with all levels of leadership regarding company risk, audit needs, and findings. Also follows up on actions to be taken as a result of the findings.
Participate in and effectively make presentations and address questions at various management and Board of Director level committee meetings.
Responsible for the hiring and development of the Internal Audit team members and the capabilities of the team.
Lives the GreatAmerica principles; involved in cross functional efforts as assigned and required and allowed by the auditing independence and objectivity standard.
Keeps current on Internal Audit Standards and other key standards, guidelines and changes important to the performance of the role and the team’s responsibilities.
Performs various audits as needed.
Performs other duties as necessary.

Benefits

Competitive Compensation
Monthly Bonuses for Eligible Employees
401(k) and Company Match
Annual Profit Sharing
Paid Vacation - starting at 80 hours annually for employees in their first year of service.
Paid Sick Days - Ten (10) per year with a conversion option for unused time.
Ten (10) Paid Holidays per year
Gym Reimbursement
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Short-Term and Long Term Disability
Company Paid Life Insurance
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
Employee Assistance Program
Parental Leave
Tuition Assistance
Networking Opportunities
Leadership Development Opportunities
Paid Parking
Service Awards