Torchora
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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Finance Auditor

💰 $85,000 - $120,000

FinanceAccountingAuditComplianceRisk Management

🎯 Role Definition

Are you a detail-oriented finance professional with a passion for integrity and process improvement? We're looking for a highly motivated Finance Auditor to join our dynamic team. In this pivotal role, you will be responsible for executing a wide range of financial, operational, and compliance audits across the organization. You'll act as a trusted advisor to the business, evaluating the effectiveness of internal controls, identifying potential risks, and providing actionable recommendations to enhance our financial health and operational excellence. This is a unique opportunity to gain comprehensive exposure to all facets of our business, influence key decisions, and make a tangible impact on our bottom line and governance framework.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Public Accounting (e.g., Big 4 Senior or Staff Associate)
  • Internal Staff Accountant or Senior Accountant
  • Financial Analyst with a focus on controls or reporting

Advancement To:

  • Senior Finance Auditor / Audit Lead
  • Internal Audit Manager
  • Director of Internal Audit / Chief Audit Executive

Lateral Moves:

  • Senior Financial Analyst (FP&A)
  • Compliance Manager or Specialist
  • Risk Management Analyst

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Plan and execute comprehensive financial and operational audits by examining accounting records, financial statements, and internal control documentation to ensure accuracy and compliance with GAAP, IFRS, and corporate policies.
  • Perform detailed testing of internal controls over financial reporting (ICFR) to support the company's Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) 404 compliance program, including walkthroughs, control testing, and deficiency evaluation.
  • Assess the adequacy and effectiveness of business process controls to mitigate risks, improve operational efficiency, and safeguard company assets.
  • Identify and document audit findings, control weaknesses, and process inefficiencies, clearly articulating the associated risks and potential business impact.
  • Develop clear, concise, and persuasive audit reports and presentations for management, detailing findings and proposing practical, value-added recommendations for remediation.
  • Conduct follow-up procedures to monitor the implementation status of management's action plans and validate the remediation of identified audit issues.
  • Evaluate the company's compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies, reporting any instances of non-compliance to senior leadership.
  • Utilize data analytics tools and techniques to enhance audit effectiveness, identify anomalies, and provide deeper insights during the audit process.
  • Assist in the annual enterprise-wide risk assessment process to identify key financial and operational risks and contribute to the development of the annual audit plan.
  • Manage relationships and communicate effectively with business process owners, department heads, and executive leadership to facilitate the audit process and foster a collaborative control environment.
  • Review and analyze complex financial transactions, such as mergers and acquisitions, revenue recognition, or new system implementations, to ensure proper accounting treatment and control design.
  • Prepare detailed audit workpapers and documentation that clearly support the audit work performed, conclusions reached, and findings reported, in accordance with departmental and professional standards.
  • Stay current with evolving industry trends, accounting and auditing standards, regulations, and best practices to continually enhance the audit function's value.
  • Lead and mentor junior audit staff on specific engagements, providing guidance, reviewing work, and fostering their professional development.
  • Evaluate the design and operational effectiveness of IT general controls (ITGCs) and application controls as they relate to key financial systems and processes.

Secondary Functions

  • Participate in special projects and fraud investigations as requested by the audit committee or senior management, employing forensic accounting techniques as needed.
  • Provide advisory and consultative services to business units on control design, process improvement, and risk mitigation for new initiatives or system implementations.
  • Assist in the coordination and collaboration with external auditors to ensure a seamless and efficient annual financial statement audit.
  • Contribute to the continuous improvement of the Internal Audit department's methodologies, tools, and practices to increase efficiency and value.
  • Develop and deliver training to business personnel on topics related to internal controls, risk management, and corporate policies.
  • Support the quarterly and annual financial reporting process by reviewing specific disclosures and supporting schedules for accuracy.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • U.S. GAAP / IFRS: Deep understanding of accounting principles and standards to assess financial statement accuracy.
  • Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Compliance: Proven expertise in SOX 404 requirements, including scoping, risk assessment, control testing, and deficiency reporting.
  • Internal Auditing Standards (IIA): Proficiency in applying the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing.
  • Data Analytics: Skill in using data analysis tools (e.g., Advanced Excel, SQL, Tableau, Power BI) to analyze large datasets and identify trends or anomalies.
  • ERP Systems Knowledge: Experience auditing in complex ERP environments such as SAP, Oracle, or NetSuite.
  • Risk Assessment: Ability to identify, assess, and prioritize financial, operational, and compliance risks.
  • Audit Management Software: Familiarity with audit software like AuditBoard, Workiva, or TeamMate for workpaper management and issue tracking.

Soft Skills

  • Critical Thinking & Analytical Skills: Exceptional ability to analyze complex situations, dissect problems, and develop logical, data-driven conclusions.
  • Communication: Superior written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex audit issues and recommendations clearly to both financial and non-financial stakeholders.
  • Attention to Detail: Meticulous and thorough in all aspects of work, from planning and testing to documentation and reporting.
  • Integrity & Professionalism: Unwavering ethical standards and the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
  • Stakeholder Management: Strong interpersonal skills to build rapport and trust with business partners and senior management, fostering a collaborative audit experience.
  • Project Management: Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple audit projects simultaneously, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college.

Preferred Education:

  • Master's Degree in Accounting (MAcc), Business Administration (MBA), or a related field.
  • Professional certification such as CPA (Certified Public Accountant) or CIA (Certified Internal Auditor) is highly preferred. Other relevant certifications (CISA, CFE) are a plus.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Accounting
  • Finance

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3-7 years of progressive experience in internal audit, public accounting (external audit), or a related financial control role.

Preferred:

  • Experience in a "Big 4" or large national public accounting firm.
  • Direct experience working within the internal audit function of a publicly-traded company.
  • Demonstrated experience leading audit engagements or projects from planning through to reporting.
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