Internal Audit Associate

Milwaukee Succeeds; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation package

Medical and dental insurance

Company-sponsored life insurance

Retirement security savings plan

Short- and long-term disability

Tuition assistance

Job summary

A. O. Smith, a global leader in water heating and energy-efficient solutions, seeks an Internal Audit Associate in Milwaukee. You will work with a global team to evaluate risk management, internal controls, and business processes across domestic and international operations.

You will gain broad exposure to finance, operations, compliance, technology, and leadership while supporting audits and advisory projects that enhance performance and protect assets. Travel 5–15% may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor-level degree in accounting, finance, business, information systems, or related field required.
• Basic understanding of accounting, internal controls, auditing concepts, and SOX requirements.
• Proficiency with Excel and Microsoft Office tools.

Responsibilities

• Assist internal audit team with planning and executing financial, compliance, and operational audits.
• Use data analytics, visualization tools, and AI-enabled techniques to support risk assessments and testing.
• Participate in audits to assess process controls, data reliability, and asset safeguarding.
• Document processes, test control design and operating effectiveness, and maintain control docs.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Multitasking

Independent & collaborative work

Initiative

Data analytics/AI interest

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Information Systems, or related field

Tools

Excel

Microsoft Office

Job description

A.O. Smith is a global leader applying innovative technologies and energy-efficient solutions to products manufactured and marketed worldwide. The company is one of the world's leading manufacturers of residential and commercial water heating equipment and boilers, as well as a manufacturer of water treatment products for residential and light commercial applications. A. O. Smith is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with approximately 12,000 employees at operations in the United States, Canada, China, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

Primary Function

As an Internal Audit Associate, you will work with a global team that helps evaluate and improve risk management, internal controls, and business processes across A. O. Smith's domestic and international operations. This role provides broad exposure to finance, operations, compliance, technology, and executive leadership while supporting audits and advisory projects that help improve organizational performance and protect company assets. The position reports to the Internal Audit Senior Manager and collaborates with business leaders and external auditors.

Responsibilities

• Assist the internal audit team with planning and executing financial, compliance, and operational audits, as well as perform various special projects requested by management.
• Utilize data analytics, visualization tools, AI tools and technology-enabled audit techniques to support risk assessments, audit testing, and business process evaluations.
• Participate in the execution of audits to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of processes and controls, reliability of data and information systems, and safeguarding of assets.
• Participate in all parts of the internal control audit lifecycle including performing the annual risk assessment, understanding and documenting processes and controls, and testing control design and operating effectiveness.
• Maintain internal control documentation, administer audit surveys, and track attestations with the use of Optro software.
• Support external auditors with substantive audit procedures, including various financial statement testing, analytics and inventory observations.
• Partner with management and internal audit team members during audits and reviews to execute work programs, identify improvement opportunities, develop value-add recommendations, draft audit reports, and present results to management.
• Support the buildup of various reporting to executives, including the preparation of data for recurring management updates and audit committee meetings.
• Collaborate with interns, audit team members, and third-party service providers to support audit execution and project delivery.
• Participate in training and development activities designed to build audit, accounting, business, and leadership skills.
• Develop an understanding of manufacturing, finance, operations, and corporate functions through participation in audits and business reviews across the organization.
• Career development opportunities with exposure to executive management, participation in international operations, development of business risk knowledge and opportunity to pursue professional certifications.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Information Systems, or related field is required.
• Basic understanding of accounting principles, internal controls, auditing concepts, and Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) requirements.
• Proficiency in Excel and other Microsoft suite products (Word, PowerPoint, etc.).

Additional Qualifications

• Progress toward professional certification such as CPA, CIA, or CISA is a plus.
• Prior internship experience in the field of accounting or finance is preferred.
• Intellectual curiosity and a desire to learn new business processes and technologies.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet project deadlines.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team environment.
• Demonstrated initiative through academic, internship, leadership, or extracurricular experiences.
• Interest in data analytics, automation, AI and emerging technologies.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• The position involves approximately 5-15% travel.

We Offer

• Competitive compensation package
• Medical and dental insurance
• Company-sponsored life insurance
• Retirement security savings plan
• Short- and long-term disability programs
• Tuition assistance

ADA Statement & EEO Statement

In developing this job description care was taken to include all competencies needed to successfully perform in this position. However, for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) purposes, the essential functions of the job may or may not have been described for purposes of ADA reasonable accommodation. All reasonable accommodation requests will be reviewed and evaluated on a case-by-case basis. We consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, gender identity and expression, marital or military status.

We also provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local law.

A. O. Smith values employee excellence. In our employment practices, we will not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, disability, or other legally protected status. We operate in a global environment and will strive to create a workplace where men and women from diverse backgrounds can thrive and achieve their fullest potential.