Manager Operational Audit Assurance Bilingual

Stonewood Group Inc.; Ontario; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the agricultural sector is seeking a Manager, Operational Audit and Assurance. This role involves directing the audit function, ensuring compliance with risk management practices, and mentoring a strong internal team. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in audit practices and strong communication skills. The position is based in Kanata, Ontario, and requires fluency in both official languages.

Qualifications

• 8 to 10 years related experience in audit and compliance practices.
• Knowledge of lending and credit risk practices.

Responsibilities

• Directs the Operations Audit function and develops strategic direction.
• Presents audit findings and recommendations to senior management.
• Builds and maintains a strong internal audit team.

Skills

Communication

Influence

Education

Undergraduate degree in Business Administration

Certified Internal Auditor designation

Job description

Our Client is a financially self-sustaining federal Crown corporation reporting to Parliament through the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board. Client provides financing and other services to over 100,000 primary producers, value-added operators, suppliers and processors along the agriculture value chain.

Scope of Position

The Manager, Operational Audit and Assurance position reports directly to the Vice President, Internal Audit. The overall accountability of the Manager, Operational Audit is to direct the Operations Audit function, including the development and implementation of Operational Audit’s strategic direction and business plan for lending operations. This position will work closely with internal stakeholders to ensure audit is aligned with credit and operational risks and will identify deficiencies in the risk and control environment and make recommendations for improvement. As well the Manager will review and approve all audit plans, working papers reports and other communication to ensure technical accuracy, consistency, quality assurance and compliance with IIA professional practice framework.

The Manager, Operational Audit will maintain a strong internal team by providing vision, strategic management, performance management, resourcing, technical mentoring and coaching.

The Manager, Operational Audit requires detailed knowledge of audit and compliance practices. Detailed knowledge of lending and credit risk practices and policies, and risk mitigation strategies is required as they relate to the establishment and evaluation of risk based audit programs and results. Strong skills in communication and influence are required in order to effectively convey audit results and impact changes in the control environment.

The Manager, Operational Audit will be located in Kanata Ontario and will be fluent in both official languages.

Functional Tasks

• OVERALL ACCOUNTABILITY

Receives general direction from the VP, Internal Audit

• Guided by corporate governance, divisional priorities and professional practices and standards
• Leads the lending operations audit program
• Make strategic, technical and tactical recommendations to ensure effective delivery of operations audit program
• Work closely with internal stakeholders to ensure audit is aligned with credit and operational risks
• Identifies deficiencies in the risk and control environment and makes recommendations for improvement
• Provides formal leadership to the business unit
• KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Directs the Operations Audit function including the development and implementation of Operational Audit’s strategic direction and business plan for the lending operations (30%)

Responsible for developing overall direction for the field audit function to include establishing procedures, guidelines and policies; developing long-term and annual lending audit work plans; and monitoring quality assurance standards and programs.

• Liaise with internal stakeholders and incorporates audit best practices to ensure development of effective risk based audit methodology to maximize the value add to stakeholders.
• Provides expert advice on a variety of organizational and functional issues from the perspective of the functional leader of operational audit (5%).
• Presents audit findings, trend analysis, recommendations and advice to VP Internal Audit, Operations management teams, and other impacted stakeholders (20%)

Attend audit debrief meetings and resolve any sensitive issues or conflicts that may result from the audit process or other reviews;

• Work with Credit Policy & Process Management and Lending Essentials to ensure trends are understood and actions developed where required to strengthen the control environment and learning needs.
• Reviews and approves all audit plans, working papers reports, and other communications, to ensure technical accuracy, consistency, quality assurance and compliance with IIA professional practice framework (25%)

Involves numerous reviews and meetings to validate audit scope, findings and recommendations.

• Builds and maintains a strong internal team by providing vision, strategic management, performance management, resourcing, technical mentoring and coaching, and ongoing support to staff. Manages the administration budget. (20%)
• Conducts and directs field audits on an occasional basis as required (5%)

Develop audit plans, conducting analytical audit work and consolidating and reporting audit findings.

• DECISION MAKING AUTHORITY

Makes decisions on administration and scope of the operational audit plan and program including execution logistics

• Liaises with internal stakeholders on audit findings to explain findings and trends
• Reviews and approves audit working papers and findings
• Makes recommendations to senior management to improve the effectiveness of risk management and control processes
• Establishes goals and direction of operations audit team; makes decision regarding employee performance and manages administration budget

Preferred Experience / Education

The following indicates specific industry, academic and functional experience / qualifications that are important to the successful achievement of the identified responsibilities and performance deliverables.

• The work requires detailed knowledge of audit and compliance practices. Detailed knowledge of lending and credit risk practices and policies, and risk mitigation strategies is required as they relate to the establishment and evaluation of risk based audit programs and results. Strong skills in communication and influence are required in order to effectively convey audit results and impact changes in the control environment.
• Knowledge is generally acquired by having a Certified Internal Auditor designation (C.I.A.), a professional accounting designation (CGA, C.A. or CMA), an undergraduate degree in Business Administration or Commerce with credit and compliance plus 8 to 10 years related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed under normal office conditions with limited auditory strain consisting of normal office sounds;
• Visual requirements and exertion consist of up to 4 to 5 hours per day of computer usage;
• Overnight travel may be required in excess of 60 days per year with regular day trip requirements for the purposes of conducting audits and for professional development.

Remuneration and Benefits

Compensation and benefits are commensurate with experience and qualifications.