Compliance Testing Advisor - Institutional Services and Wealth Management (ISWM) - Hybrid (see potential locations in job description)

M&T Bank; Buffalo (NY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 149,000; Full time

Job summary

M&T Bank in Buffalo, NY is seeking a Compliance Testing Advisor to lead and execute risk-based compliance testing engagements, mentoring the team, and improving testing methodologies.

You will collaborate with Corporate Compliance, Internal Audit, and business units, manage multiple testing engagements, ensure timely delivery, and maintain knowledge of regulatory requirements; some travel and office presence needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in related field plus 6 years in compliance, risk, or audit.
• Coaching/leadership experience demonstrated.
• Wealth Management/Institutional Services compliance experience preferred.
• Experience building compliance/audit test scripts preferred.
• Ability to read and understand laws and regulations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Interface with all organizational levels to obtain process information.
• Perform compliance testing per department standards.
• Oversee planning and execution of multiple testing engagements.
• Ensure testing engagements are completed on time; escalate delays as needed.
• Draft and communicate testing findings and control weaknesses.
• Lead collaborative testing discussions with management.
• Review findings to confirm validity and adjust risk tiers.
• Mentor team members and provide feedback.
• Maintain Archer data management tasks and system updates.
• Promote integration with data and systems teams.
• Maintain regulatory knowledge and apply it to testing.
• Complete other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Coaching/Leadership

Interpersonal skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Preferred Certifications (CPA CIA CISA CAMS CRCM)

Tools

Archer

Job description

Work Location/Arrangement: This is a hybrid position requiring in-office work four days every week, with on remote work day/week possible. The position will be based at an M&T Bank corporate office in Buffalo, NY, Wilmington, DE, Iselin, NJ, or possibly NY, NY.

Overview

The Compliance Testing Advisor is responsible for the managing, leading, and execution of compliance testing engagements utilizing a risk-based approach in line with department standards to ensure the Bank’s compliance with applicable laws, rules & regulations. The Compliance Testing Advisor is also responsible for the oversight and coaching of team members to deliver a quality product in line with department standards. This role supports continued enhancements to testing methodology, ongoing stakeholder engagement, and overall promotion of the Compliance Testing Group within the organization.

Position Responsibilities

• Interface with all layers of the organization independently to obtain information related to processes and controls.
• Perform compliance testing in accordance with department and professional standards.
• Oversee planning and execution of testing, including multiple simultaneous testing engagements across a defined testing portfolio.
• Ensure testing engagements are completed within established timeframes, and/or provide early escalation of anticipated delays to senior management.
• Draft and communicate substantive testing findings and control execution weaknesses to all levels of compliance and business unit management under the direction of a manager.
• Lead collaborative testing team discussions with all levels of management where judgment and opinions are effectively challenged.
• Review test findings with testing management and other compliance officers to confirm validity of issues; make recommendations to Senior Compliance Testing Manager regarding the appropriate tier rating of identified issues.
• Work with business units and compliance groups to ensure consistent understanding of requirements.
• Responsibilities may also include system administrative duties such as maintenance, validation, and/or updating in the compliance data management system (Archer).
• Review work papers of all team members and provide related feedback, coaching, and mentoring.
• Build a working relationship with mid-level Internal Audit, Business Units, and Corporate Compliance Portfolio Managers.
• Encourage integrated testing approaches with the data & systems team and make suggestions on testing approaches to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of testing procedures.
• Serve as knowledge resource for all staff.
• Maintain a comprehensive working knowledge of regulatory requirements to ensure an appropriate level of testing.
• Provide feedback to team members regarding assessments of business unit process and controls and respective risk focused input on effectiveness and efficiency of testing approach.
• Independently document and assess all levels of test scripts.
• Participate in special projects and department wide initiatives, as necessary.
• Multitask assignments and meet established deadlines.
• Understand and adhere to the Company’s risk and regulatory standards, policies, and controls in accordance with the Company’s Risk Appetite. Identify risk-related findings needing escalation to a Manager.
• Promote an environment that supports diversity and reflects the M&T Bank brand.
• Maintain M&T internal control standards, including timely implementation of internal and external audit points together with any issues raised by external regulators as applicable.
• Complete other related duties as assigned.

Nature and Scope

The position works under the direction of the Compliance Testing Manager and is required to exercise independent judgment and discretion utilizing a risk-based approach.

The position collaborates extensively with (a) Corporate Compliance subject matter deputies (PCMs) to gain an appropriate understanding of applicable regulatory requirements, (b) business unit staff and PCMs to understand workflows and processes, and (c) Internal Audit as a resource for review and coordination of testing plans and methods.

The position will interact with external contacts including Bank Supervisors/Examiners and peers at other institutions.

Assist in oversight of Wealth Management, Institutional Services and Institutional broker dealer testing for state, federal, domestic, and possibly international regulator relationships and examinations including the Federal Reserve, OCC, SEC, DOL, FINRA, CFPB, State of New York, and/or the State of Delaware, as applicable.

Education/Experience Required

• Bachelor's Degree in related field PLUS 6 years’ experience in compliance, legal, audit, risk, or other relevant function, OR in lieu of degree, a combined minimum of 10 years higher education and/or work experience, including 6 years in compliance, legal, audit, risk or other relevant function
• Demonstrated coaching/leadership experience.
• Institutional Services and Wealth Management experience, especially compliance related to this area, is highly preferred.
• Experience building compliance/audit test scripts is highly preferred.
• Ability to read and understand laws, regulations, and common law applicable to subject matter.
• Ability to exercise judgment and sound discretion and understand when Corporate Compliance Management guidance is needed.
• Strong, comprehensive understanding of financial services functions.
• Ability to thrive in a collaborative, team-oriented environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills, having the ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing to mid-level management.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills.
• Possess regulatory subject matter expertise related to aspects of the portfolio.
• Strong proficiency with spreadsheet, presentation, and word processing software.

Education/Experience Preferred

• Related certifications (CPA, CIA, CISA, CAMS, CRCM or similar certifications).
• MBA or master’s degree in an appropriate field.

M&T Bank is committed to fair, competitive, and market-informed pay for our employees. The pay range for this position is $89,600.00 - $149,300.00 Annual (USD). The successful candidate’s particular combination of knowledge, skills, and experience will inform their specific compensation.

Location

Buffalo, New York, United States of America