Internal Audit Specialist (Third-Party Operations)

Oliver James; Columbus (OH); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Oliver James is seeking an Internal Audit Specialist for its Third-Party Operations audit team in Columbus, OH. Hybrid schedule with 2 days in the office, and responsibilities spanning planning, testing, and remediation across vendor-related risks.

The role emphasizes hands-on audit across risk assessment, controls testing, and stakeholder communication, with growth potential within a large internal audit function.

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.

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

Skills

Stakeholder management

Risk assessment

Controls testing

Data analytics

Visualization tools

Communication

Education

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

Job description

Internal Audit Specialist (Third-Party Operations)

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