Principal Auditor

Role Description

The Lead Principal Auditor typically leads complex audits of a specific business/functional area/region, and evaluates the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls relating to risks within those business areas. They typically act as coach for auditors and people managers as leads on the audit. They will proactively develop and maintain professional consultative working relationships within their function and with stakeholders inside and outside the bank. They will use a range of approaches to collect relevant information to assess key risks, resolve major issues or carry out tasks across a portfolio.
The Lead Principal Auditor works in a co-operative manner with subject matter experts and other teams from across the function and outside the function to provide front-to-back audit coverage and will actively contribute to the delivery of team plans in support of the functional and business strategies. They may occasionally lead ad-hoc projects and special investigations and represent the division at committees and forums, both internally and externally.

Your key responsibilities

• Leading complex audits for evaluating the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls relating to the underlying risks.
• Executes and leads day-to-day operational audit work and lead delivery of audits (including risk assessment profiles and business monitoring).
• Completes all assigned audit work in line with agreed budgets, including ad hoc projects and special investigations.
• Proactively manages and executes day-to-day responsibilities with group audit deliverables on Concurrent Audit
• Planning and executing audit fieldwork in line with the agreed audit approach e.g. documenting Activity Flows, identification of key risks, testing of key controls to determine whether they are properly designed and are operating effectively and documenting work in accordance with divisional standards.
• Leading and undertaking audit assignments, drafting audit reports for review by audit management, writing and agreeing high quality findings, facilitating finding tracking and validating closure of findings (as required).
• Reviewing and providing expert opinions on action plans provided by stakeholders, helping them develop robust remediation plans.
• Acting as a challenger to finding owners in the findings closure process.
• Partnering with other divisional/teams during audit engagement to guarantee an integrated approach.
• Completing all assigned audit work in line with agreed budgets, including ad hoc projects and special investigations.
• Communicating openly with divisional management and internal stakeholders; keeping them informed of potential issues and escalate problems/delays accordingly.
• Presenting complex and sensitive messages (such as audit finding) comprehensively, professionally and reducing complex topics to simple statements.
• Proactively keeping abreast of pertinent industry, regulatory and business practices.
• Performing business monitoring and risk assessments for enabling the prioritization of audit delivery.
• Proactively developing and maintaining professional working relationships with colleagues across Group Audit
• Taking ownership for own career management, seeking opportunities for continuous development of personal capability and improved performance contribution.
• Reinforcing an environment where people management and development is a key priority. Prior people management experience is essential.
• Acting as a role model for new employees, providing help and support to facilitate early integration and assimilation of the new environment.
• Highlights performance issues within the team, where appropriate, to drive for high performance.

Your skills and experience

• Audit/business knowledge and experience and an understanding of the risks and regulatory requirements in one or more of the following business/functional areas: Investment Banking, Transaction Banking, Retail & Corporate Banking, Asset & Wealth Management, Business Services (operations), Risk, Legal & Compliance, Finance and Information Technology.
• Familiarity with operational requirements of a global bank.
• Sound understanding of global banking control environment and compliance issues in the banking/finance industry.
• Solid communication skills, communicating with clarity, both orally and in writing, in a logical order and structured approach. Fluent in English (written and verbal) and local languages if necessary.
• Solid relationship management, analytical, problem solving, communication, influencing, planning and presentation skills.
• Good knowledge of auditing standards and concepts.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced business environment.
• Able to work in virtual, global teams in a matrix organization, transfer knowledge and develop capability of team members. Additionally, good people management skills for leading and nurturing teams.

Education/Certification

• Professional/industry recognized qualification such as CA and CPA and CIA. Bachelor Degree (or equivalent) from an accredited college or university (or equivalent) and equivalent work experience.