Audit Lead (106364)

Employees Retirement System of Texas; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Employees Retirement System of Texas is seeking an Audit Lead to plan, direct, and execute engagements across internal audit, including IT, operations, and governance. You will lead day-to-day audit teams, apply risk-based methodologies, and ensure timely, high-quality deliverables with strong stakeholder communication.

The role requires advanced knowledge of IT risks, audit standards, and the ability to mentor staff auditors while coordinating with management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, public administration, information technology, or a related field.
• Five (5) years of experience in internal, external, or Information Technology auditing, or a related assurance/compliance field.
• Three (3) years of experience as an audit project manager or team lead.

Responsibilities

• Plans and scopes assigned engagements based on risk assessment and engagement objectives.
• Performs first-level review of staff workpapers, testing, and documentation to confirm sufficiency and quality of evidence obtained to support conclusions.
• Applies working knowledge across relevant technical areas to identify risk and design appropriate audit procedures; coordinates with subject-matter specialists when an engagement requires deeper technical expertise.
• Prepares or directs preparation of draft audit reports, ensuring findings are well supported, clearly communicated, and risk-prioritized.
• Applies the function's risk-based audit methodology and audit standards (IIA's Global Internal Audit Standards; GAO’s Government Auditing Standards throughout the engagement).
• Exercises independent, sound judgment to resolve engagement issues without requiring direction from the Audit Manager

Skills

Audit leadership

Risk-based auditing

IT auditing

Communication

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting/finance/IT or related field

Tools

CIA

CISA

COBIT

NIST CSF

GAO standards

Job description

Our mission is simply stated: ERS offers competitive benefits to enhance the lives of its members. Each team member across the agency contributes to our ongoing success.ERS is open for business five days a week, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, to meet customers where they need us: in person, on the phone, in their communities, and online. ERS currently offers opportunities that include flexible work schedules.

ERS does not sponsor or assume sponsorship of an employment visa at any time.

ERS is seeking an Audit Lead to serve as an engagement lead responsible for planning, directing, and executing engagements across the internal audit function, including operational, financial, compliance, and technology-related engagements. This position requires a strong understanding of information technology risks and controls and the ability to evaluate technology-related risks as part of broader audit engagements, as well as lead information technology audits when assigned. While dedicated information technology audits may comprise only a portion of the position’s assignments, the Audit Lead is expected to apply IT audit knowledge across a variety of engagements where technology, systems, cybersecurity, data, or automated controls are relevant.

This position leads the day-to-day work of assigned engagement teams, applies sound risk-based judgment across a range of subject matter areas, and is accountable for the quality and timeliness of the engagements they lead. The Audit Lead may also be assigned engagements requiring specialized knowledge, or the ability to develop sufficient knowledge, in areas such as investments and healthcare. Work is highly advanced (senior-level) and performed under minimal supervision from Internal Audit management, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment..

Essential Responsibilities include, but are not limited to

Audit Quality

• Plans and scopes assigned engagements based on risk assessment and engagement objectives
• Performs first-level review of staff workpapers, testing, and documentation to confirm sufficiency and quality of evidence obtained to support conclusions
• Applies working knowledge across relevant technical areas to identify risk and design appropriate audit procedures; coordinates with subject-matter specialists when an engagement requires deeper technical expertise than the team holds
• Prepares or directs preparation of draft audit reports, ensuring findings are well supported, clearly communicated, and risk-prioritized
• Applies the function's risk-based audit methodology and audit standards (IIA's Global Internal Audit Standards; GAO’s Government Auditing Standards throughout the engagement

Risk Analysis

• Exercises independent, sound judgment to resolve engagement issues without requiring direction from the Audit Manager
• Adapts engagement scope, methodology, or approach as new information or risk emerges during fieldwork
• Identifies when engagement issues, judgment calls, or emerging risks exceed their authority and escalates to the Audit Management appropriately

Resource Management

• Allocates the engagement's assigned budget and schedule across team members and audit steps, prioritizing work based on risk within approved resource constraints
• Monitors engagement progress against budget and schedule, adjusting scope or resource allocation as risk and circumstances warrant
• Coordinates with the Audit Manager on engagement staffing, scope, and budget approval

Technical Knowledge

• Maintains current technical and subject-matter knowledge relevant to the function's audit universe, including emerging risks and regulatory changes
• Pursues and maintains relevant professional certifications and completes required continuing education
• Applies newly gained knowledge and skills to engagement work and shares relevant learning with the team

Collaboration & Communication

• Serves as engagement lead, directing the day-to-day work of staff auditors and other team members assigned to the engagement
• Coaches and develops staff auditors assigned to the engagement, providing feedback that builds their skills
• Communicates engagement results clearly to auditee management, maintaining productive working relationships while preserving audit objectivity and independence
• Tracks recommendation follow-up and implementation status for assigned engagements, keeping stakeholders appropriately informed

Required Minimum Qualifications:

application for employment must reflect how you meet each of the following minimum qualifications:

1. Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in accounting, finance, business administration, public administration, information technology, or a related field.Qualifying experience beyond the minimum required may substitute for education.
2. Five (5) years of experience in internal, external, or Information Technology auditing, or a related assurance/compliance field.
3. Three (3) years of experience as an audit project manager or team lead.

Preferred Qualifications:

Your application for employment should reflect how you meet the following preferred qualifications:

1. Active professional certification, such as Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
2. Information technology risk, systems, and controls (NIST Cybersecurity Framework, COBIT, ITIL).
3. Experience with data analytics or technology-assisted audit techniques.
4. Experience in public sector or governmental auditing.
5. Written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting audit results to management.

PLEASE NOTE

All submissions should contain complete job history entries, which includes job title, dates of employment, name of employer, and a description of duties performed as related to the position you are applying for. Resumes lacking sufficient detail, such as a summary of experience in lieu of progression of work history may not meet minimum qualifications.

Other Information:

In accordance with state law, authorization for telework may not be awarded to an employee as a condition of hiring. As an agency process, new employees complete a 30 day fully onsite period before evaluation for a telework agreement.

This position may require access to privileged, confidential, or sensitive data. ERS will conduct either a TXDPS or FBI criminal history check on all new hires. For more information about this policy inquiries can be made to [e-mail]. Please note: Internal applicants in the same salary group and classification as the posted position are eligible to receive an increase in salary where applicable up to the posted maximum.

Military Occupational Specialty Codes:

Veterans, Reservists or Guardsmen with experience in the Military Occupational Specialty (https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_AccountingAuditingandFinance.pdf) along with the minimum qualifications listed above may meet the minimum requirements and are highly encouraged to apply. Please contact Human Resources at [e-mail] with questions or for additional information.

Please contact a Human Resources representative if you need assistance or require accommodation during the application process.

Email: [e-mail]

Web: www.ers.texas.gov

Relay Texas TDD: [phone]

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/employees-retirement-system-of-texas/