INTERNAL AUDITOR

Town of Cary; Cary (NC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Town of Cary is seeking an experienced Internal Auditor to provide independent, objective services that protect public resources and strengthen internal controls. The role reports to the Finance Director with direct, unrestricted access to Town Council for audit plans and findings.

You will develop a risk-based annual audit program, evaluate compliance with laws and regulations, and communicate recommendations to management while maintaining independence and confidentiality.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, public administration, or closely related field.
• Extensive experience with internal auditing and governmental accounting.
• Knowledge of GAAP, GASB, and GAAS.
• Ability to communicate audit findings clearly to leadership.
• Strong confidentiality and independence.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a risk-based annual internal audit plan.
• Evaluate internal controls and compliance with laws and regulations.
• Conduct financial, operational, IT, and performance audits.
• Communicate findings and recommendations to management.
• Coordinate with Town Council, Town Attorney on audit matters.
• Support external auditors and audit activities.

Skills

Internal auditing

Governance

Financial management

Communication

Data analytics tools

Independence and objectivity

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration or public administration

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Audit management software

Spreadsheet software

Database applications

Data analytics tools

Job description

The Town of Cary is looking for an experienced Internal Auditor who wants to play a key role in how one of North Carolina's leading communities operates.

The Internal Auditor provides independent, objective services designed to protect public resources, strengthen internal controls, assess organizational risks, evaluate compliance with policies and procedures, and promote accountability, transparency, and effective governance.

The Internal Auditor is administratively housed within the Finance Department and reports to the Finance Director for routine employment, administrative, and personnel matters. To preserve the Internal Auditor’s independence and objectivity, the position has a direct functional reporting relationship with Cary's Town Council. In this functional capacity, the Internal Auditor has unrestricted access to the Town Council, including the ability to communicate audit plans, significant findings, recommendations, and other matters related to the internal audit function directly without prior approval or review by the Finance Director. The Internal Auditor may also communicate directly with the Town Attorney and Town Council on matters related to audit activities, findings, risks, or concerns when, in the auditor’s professional judgment, such communication is appropriate.

The Internal Auditor develops and executes a risk-based audit program that evaluates the effectiveness of internal controls, evaluates compliance with applicable laws and regulations, assesses effectiveness of financial processes, and reports on the efficient and effective use of Town resources. This audit program will be approved by the Town Council. The position works collaboratively with departments while maintaining professional independence, objectivity, confidentiality, and impartiality.

For an experienced auditor looking for more than checking boxes, this is an opportunity to put your expertise to work in a role where good judgment matters and the work makes a difference.

Under the general supervision and guidance of the Finance Director with functional independence in the performance of audit activities, the Internal Auditor will:

• Develop, plan, execute, and maintain a risk-based annual internal audit plan, including deliverables and timeline; present annual Internal Audit Report to Town Council;


• Evaluate the design and effectiveness of internal controls including segregation of duty, authorization, access controls, reconciliations, monitoring activities, and other controls to determine whether processes adequately protect Town resources;


• Conduct annual financial, operational, compliance, IT, and performance audits, as well as conduct special audits or investigations as requested;


• Discuss audit findings and recommendations with management and assist departments in developing appropriate corrective actions while maintaining independence and avoiding responsibility for management decisions or implementation;


• Maintain appropriate documentation and audit workpapers sufficient to support audit conclusions, recommendations, and compliance with applicable professional standards;


• Review financial and business processes and transactions, including purchasing, PCard activity, payroll, accounts payable, revenue, grants, cash handling, utility billing and collections, contracts, and other areas identified through the risk assessment process;


• Monitor P-Card activity to determine if purchases comply with policies, procedure, and applicable regulations;


• Conduct on-site departmental and program audits to evaluate compliance with Town policies, federal and state requirements, grant requirements, contract obligations, and financial procedures. Prepare clear audit reports with practical recommendations and perform follow-up reviews to determine if management has implemented corrective actions;


• Conduct special reviews, investigations, or other engagements requested by the Town Manager, Town Council, Town Attorney, or Finance Director, consistent with applicable laws, professional standards, and the Internal Auditor’s independence. Investigate allegations or indicators of fraud, waste, abuse, misuse of public resources, or significant control weaknesses and coordinate with appropriate officials when additional investigation or action is warranted;


• Maintain awareness of emerging risks, changes in laws and regulations, professional auditing standards, technology, and best practices applicable to local government;


• Maintain confidentiality and independence in all engagements, contributing to a culture that encourages integrity, respect, excellence, and innovation;


• Support external auditors and other oversight bodies, as appropriate, and coordinate audit activities to promote efficient use of Town resources and minimize unnecessary duplication of audit work;


• Perform other related duties as assigned.

• Thorough knowledge of the principles of internal auditing, governmental accounting, and financial management, including Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS), Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) pronouncements, and professional auditing standards;


• Thorough knowledge of federal and state requirements governing municipal financial practices, including budgeting, accounting, procurement, payroll, utility billing and collections, grants management, cash management, IT controls, and regulatory compliance;


• Thorough knowledge of internal control frameworks, risk assessment methodologies, governance principles, fraud prevention and detection techniques, and performance measurement in local government;


• Ability to independently plan and conduct financial, operational, compliance, IT, and performance audits while maintaining objectivity and independence;


• Ability to assess risks, analyze complex processes, develop practical recommendations, and communicate audit findings effectively;


• Ability to communicate audit objectives, procedures, findings, risks, and recommendations clearly and effectively to employees, department directors, executive management, the Town Manager, Town Attorney, and Town Council.


• Ability to resolve sensitive issues with professionalism, discretion, diplomacy, and sound judgment while maintaining confidentiality of privileged and sensitive information;


• Proficiency in the use of modern office technology, audit management software, financial systems, data analytics tools, spreadsheet and database applications, and other technologies used to support audit planning, testing, reporting, and continuous monitoring.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The work in this class is generally sedentary. An employee must be able to talk and hear in order to communicate with staff and others and to perform the tasks listed above. Visual acuity is necessary in order to read and write handwritten and typewritten materials and view a computer terminal. Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, public administration or a closely related field, and considerable experience with internal auditing governmental accounting, financial management, compliance, risk management, and financial systems.

Preferences include a Master’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, public administration, or a related field and at least five years of relevant work experience in internal audit.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Requires drug testing and background check (which may include criminal history check, SBI finger-printing, motor vehicle records check, education verification and credit history review) and satisfactory reference checks prior to employment.