Internal Audit Specialist (Third-Party Operations)

Oliver James Associates Ltd.; Columbus (OH); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Oliver James Associates Ltd. partners with a Fortune 100 insurer to fill an Internal Audit Specialist role in Columbus, OH. The position sits on the Third-Party Operations audit team, offering hands-on engagement across the full audit lifecycle and broad exposure within a large internal audit function.

The role is based in Columbus with a hybrid schedule (2 days in the office). It emphasizes testing, risk assessment, and collaboration with business stakeholders to strengthen controls and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field.
• 4-6 years of experience across Internal Audit, external audit, risk management, or related field.
• Experience auditing third-party vendors/operations or vendor management preferred.
• Hands-on audit experience across risk assessment, controls testing, documentation, and issue identification.

Responsibilities

• Execute assurance and advisory engagements across third-party operations and vendor relationships.
• Participate in full audit lifecycle from planning to remediation follow-up.
• Conduct stakeholder interviews to map processes and risks.
• Perform testing across business and IT controls; manage multiple assignments.
• Evaluate third-party risks and effectiveness of controls; identify deficiencies.

Skills

Critical thinking

Communication

Stakeholder management

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance/Business

Job description

We are partnered with a leading Fortune 100 insurance organization seeking an Internal Audit Specialist to join its Third-Party Operations audit team. This individual will execute assurance and advisory engagements with a particular focus on third-party vendors, operations, and associated risks and controls. The role offers hands-on involvement across the full audit lifecycle, broad exposure across the organization, and strong opportunities for continued development within a large, established Internal Audit function.

This position is based in Columbus, OH and follows a hybrid schedule with 2 days per week in the office.

Responsibilities

• Execute assurance and advisory engagements across third-party operations, vendor relationships, and broader business processes
• Participate throughout the full audit lifecycle, including planning, risk and control identification, testing, issue identification, reporting, and remediation follow-up
• Conduct stakeholder interviews to understand business processes and identify key risks and controls
• Perform testing across business and technology controls while managing multiple audit assignments simultaneously
• Evaluate third-party and vendor-related risks and assess the effectiveness of associated controls
• Identify control deficiencies and opportunities to strengthen processes and the overall control environment
• Utilize data analytics and visualization tools to support audit testing and analysis
• Partner with business stakeholders to communicate findings, evaluate risk mitigation activities, and monitor remediation through resolution
• Review work performed by other team members and provide coaching and feedback to less experienced auditors when appropriate
• Build strong relationships across the organization and partner with other risk and control functions

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field preferred
• Approximately 4-6 years of experience across Internal Audit, external audit, risk management, or a related field
• Direct experience auditing third-party vendors, third-party operations, or vendor management strongly preferred
• Strong hands-on audit experience across risk assessment, controls testing, documentation, and issue identification
• Public accounting experience preferred but not required
• Experience auditing business and/or technology controls; IT Audit exposure is beneficial
• Insurance or financial services experience beneficial but not required
• CPA, CIA, CISA, CFE, PMP, or progress toward a relevant professional certification preferred
• Strong critical-thinking, communication, organizational, and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to independently manage multiple assignments and priorities in a collaborative audit environment