THE OPPORTUNITY
The Director of Internal Audit will report directly to the Audit Committee with functional support from the Chief Executive Officer and will oversee department direct reports. This position will have the direct responsibility of coordinating internal audits to ensure that OCERS has a comprehensive system of financial and operational internal controls in place to minimize risks and substantiate overall system compliance. This position will assist the Board of Retirement and management in the effective discharge of their fiduciary responsibilities and will be expected to uphold the highest standards of accountability, plan sponsor focus and system efficiency. The Director of Internal Audit will be expected to set the scope of work and audit objectives while ensuring audit goals are met in a timely manner.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Oversees the Internal Audit department to ensure adherence to the Global Internal Audit Standards set by the Institute of Internal Auditors and the relevant OCERS Internal Audit charters.
- Manages audits of OCERS' internal divisions and Employers; determines nature of operations and formulates objective opinions on the adequacy, effectiveness, efficiency and compliance of systems or programs reviewed.
- Develops annual risk assessment and audit plan.
- Develops a methodology for following up on audit recommendations and measuring performance.
- Verifies and analyzes transactions, management representations, documents, records, methods of reporting, receipts, disbursements, etc., for adequacy, effectiveness, errors, irregularities, and inconsistencies.
- Audits records to determine compliance with stated goals and objectives.
- Evaluates information system controls and assess system security and data integrity.
- Performs data analysis.
- Reports on effectiveness and adequacy of internal control systems.
- Prepares and presents written audit reports with recommendations on audit findings and follows up on the status of findings and recommendations.
- Prepares and reviews work papers, correspondence, and final reports.
- Makes recommendations for the correction of unsatisfactory conditions, improvements in operations, and reductions in costs.
- Facilitates strategic professional growth for staff and cultivates their skills in alignment with the OCERS Internal Audit methodology for succession and other purposes.
- Develops and manages the annual department budget and operates within established funding levels.
- Maintains positive/constructive written and oral communications with OCERS personnel throughout the audit process.
- Collaborates with subject matter experts, including legal and actuarial teams, to evaluate complex areas.
- Supports the development of automated and other technological tools, such as robotic process automation.
- Drafts and assesses requests for proposals handled by the Internal Audit Department.
- Performs other specialized duties related to Internal Audit operations.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and/or Experience
Graduation from a four-year college with a BA or BS degree in accounting, business or public administration, economics, or a related field, which includes thirty-six-semester units in elementary, intermediate and advanced accounting, auditing, cost accounting, business law, and other business-related courses.
AND
Seven or more years of relevant professional experience in progressively responsible positions within a public pension system; local, state or federal agency; accounting/auditing firm or corporation.
Special Notes, Licenses or Requirements
- A valid California class C driver's license or the ability to arrange necessary and timely transportation for field travel.
- Successful candidates must be able to pass a thorough background investigation, including a fingerprint check through Live Scan.
Desired Qualifications
- Minimum of seven years of demonstrated professional accounting/finance or internal auditing experience.
- Minimum of five years of supervisory and project management experience.
- Strong leadership, problem-solving, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
- Pension plan experience.
- Knowledge of Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) for financial reporting.
- Valid certificate as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) or Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA).
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate will possess the competencies required to exercise fiduciary responsibilities to protect the interests of plan participants. The successful candidate will have excellent written and verbal presentation and strong interpersonal and analytical skills. He/she will have a well-established background performing audits and the demonstrated ability to establish and maintain trusting and collaborative working relationships with the Board, Audit Committee, management, staff, plan sponsors and stakeholders. The ideal candidate will possess excellent judgment and the ability to take initiative. The successful candidate will be a strategic thinker with excellent problem-solving skills and will have the demonstrated ability to analyze business processes and make appropriate recommendations. He/she will commit to maintaining a high level of integrity and ethical and confidentiality standards; will be experienced in evaluating internal controls with a public agency and knowledgeable of the Institute of Internal Auditor's Code of Ethics and Standards.
Knowledge of
- The theory, principles, and practice of auditing, including the methods and procedures used to examine, verify, and analyze operational records, statements, and reports.
- Global Internal Audit Standards (Institute of Internal Auditors); Generally Accepted Auditing Standards; Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards, and information systems auditing standards.
- Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and internal control frameworks (such as COSO).
- Internal controls, including an understanding of information system controls, accounting systems and financial structures.
- Statistical methods, including qualitative and quantitative analysis and statistical sampling.
- Computer-based information systems and use of computers for research and analysis.
- Investment management and conducting investment reviews for public pension funds.
Skills/Ability to
- Define problem areas, analyze data and/or situations, draw logical conclusions and recommend effective courses of action.
- Communicate effectively both orally and in writing, including preparing comprehensive work papers, clear and concise audit reports, and financial statements.
- Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with plan sponsors, external contractors, management staff and co-workers.
- Review, understand, interpret and apply State, Federal and County laws and procedures: auditing and accounting pronouncements and standards (i.e. GASB, SAS, 1937 Law, SEC, and ISACA).
- Review and understand job descriptions, policy manuals, organization charts, business plans, and financial and accounting records.
- Stay current on the standards for the professional practice of internal auditing and adhere to the Code of Ethics of the Institute of Internal Auditors.
- Understand, use and explain complex legal provisions in conducting audits.
- Conduct research using a variety of research techniques; collect, compile, analyze and interpret data.
- Exhibit exemplary interpersonal skills and exercise sound judgment and professionalism in business matters.
- Perform job functions independently, objectively, and within set timeframes.
- Use standard office equipment such as a computer, printer, scanner, fax machine, photocopier, and 10-key calculator.
- Use computer software to compose reports, spreadsheets, graphs, flowcharts, calculations and time reports, etc.
- Use OCERS approved means of transportation to travel to and from work sites may be required for some assignments.
Please mention you found this employment opportunity on the CareersInGovernment.com job board.
HOW TO APPLY
Only on-line applications with the completed supplemental questions will be accepted.
You may apply on-line at OCERS website: https://www.ocers.org/careers-ocers
For specific information pertaining to this recruitment please contact Sarah Abrahamson at (714) 569-4818 or email sabrahamson@ocers.org. Do not submit resumes to this email address as they will not be considered in lieu of the required application process.
OCERS, as an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.
