Audit Validation Lead: Operational Risk & Controls

ACCA Careers; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 115,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

Northern Trust is seeking an experienced professional to lead audit validation work focused on operational risk and the transformation of controls. You will partner with audit teams to plan, challenge, and deliver high-quality audit coverage while interpreting regulatory expectations to guide control assessment.

You will analyze risk data, prepare reporting for senior leaders, advise on testing approaches, and coordinate with risk stakeholders to address emerging risks.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of operational risk management experience.
• Experience applying audit, risk, or control principles in financial services.
• Deep understanding of regulatory expectations informing audit coverage.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication to senior stakeholders.
• Professional certification or advanced qualification (accounting, audit, IS, risk, or business admin).

Responsibilities

• Lead audit validation work focused on operational risk and control transformation.
• Partner with audit teams to plan, challenge, and deliver high-quality audit coverage.
• Interpret regulatory expectations, risk themes, and industry practices to guide control assessment.
• Analyze risk and control information to identify issues, insights, and practical improvements.
• Prepare clear reporting for senior leaders on audit observations and control effectiveness.
• Advise on testing approaches, issue development, and audit reporting quality.
• Coordinate with business and risk stakeholders to understand change activity and emerging risks.
• Support team capability through knowledge sharing, coaching, and participation in relevant forums.

Skills

Operational risk management

Audit/risk/control principles

Regulatory knowledge

Analytical/problem-solving

Communication to senior stakeholders

Education

Professional certification in accounting/audit

Advanced qualification in information systems/risk

Job description

Northern Trust is seeking an experienced professional to lead audit validation work focused on operational risk and the transformation of controls. You will partner with audit teams to plan, challenge, and deliver high-quality audit coverage while interpreting regulatory expectations to guide control assessment.

You will analyze risk data, prepare reporting for senior leaders, advise on testing approaches, and coordinate with risk stakeholders to address emerging risks.