Internal Auditor

Community Bank, N.A.; Lyndon (NY); On-site; USD 62,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

11 paid holidays

Medical, Vision & Dental insurance

401K with generous match

Pension

Tuition Reimbursement

Banking discounts

Job summary

Community Financial System, Inc. (CFSI) is seeking an Internal Auditor to perform risk-based operational, financial, and compliance audits across the organization. You will execute procedures, document results, and communicate findings to management and stakeholders, upholding ethics and confidentiality.

The role emphasizes data analytics, AI-enabled processes, and continuous improvement. Minimum two years of banking/audit experience preferred; bachelor's degree required; CIA/CPA/CFIRS

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required.
• CIA, CPA, CRCM, CFIRS preferred or progress toward certification encouraged.
• Experience evaluating controls and applying internal audit standards.

Responsibilities

• Perform risk-based internal audit procedures to evaluate control design and effectiveness.
• Execute test-work and document results per methodology and standards.
• Research business processes, policies, systems, and regulations; assist in planning.
• Conduct testing, monitor budget, and report variances to management.
• Prepare clear workpapers and support recommendations with evidence.
• Identify control weaknesses and support practical remediation.
• Communicate findings to audit clients and management promptly.
• Support external auditors and participate in advisory projects and initiatives.

Skills

AI awareness

Analytical skills

Verbal & written communication

Internal controls knowledge

Regulatory understanding

Auditing experience

Financial services experience

Education

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

Tools

Auditing software

Data analytics tools

Job description

Overview

At Community Financial System, Inc. (CFSI), we are dedicated to providing our customers with friendly, personalized, high-quality financial services and products. Our retail division, Community Bank, N.A., operates more than 200 customer facilities across Upstate New York, Northeastern Pennsylvania, Vermont and Western Massachusetts. Beyond retail banking, we also offer commercial banking, wealth management, investment management, insurance and risk management, and benefit plan administration.

Just as our employees are committed to helping our customers manage their finances, we're committed to our employees. After all, they make it happen for our customers every day.

To ensure our people can enjoy long and successful careers here at CFSI, we offer competitive compensation, great benefits, and professional development and advancement opportunities. As an equal-opportunity workplace and affirmative-action employer, we celebrate and support a diverse workplace for the benefit of all: our employees, customers and communities.

Responsibilities

Responsible for performing risk-based operational, financial, and compliance audits, in accordance with department methodology, applicable regulatory requirements, and the Institute of Internal Audit Global Audit Standards. This role supports the internal audit plan by executing audit procedures, evaluating internal controls, documenting work performed, and communicating results to audit management and stakeholders.

The Internal Auditor works independently and collaboratively, providing objective assurance on the effectiveness of the organization’s governance, risk management and internal control processes. The role also supports advisory projects, external audit coordination, and continuous improvement initiatives of the department. In alignment with the Company's and the Internal Audit Department’s core values, this position must demonstrate integrity, excellence, teamwork and humility while maintaining the highest standards of ethics, independence and confidentiality.

Essential Duties:

• Perform risk-based internal audit procedures to evaluate the design and operating effectiveness of controls.
• Execute audit test-work and document results in accordance with the department methodology, applicable regulatory requirements, and professional standards.
• Research and develop an understanding of the audit area, including relevant business processes, policies, procedures, systems, laws and regulations; participate in engagement planning.
• Conduct audit testing in an effective and efficient manner, while monitoring progress against budget and communicating variances as appropriate.
• Prepare clear, complete and well-supported workpapers, leveraging tools provided including the audit management system.
• Apply self-review and quality control practices to ensure work is accurate, complete and ready for supervisory review.
• Identify control weaknesses, root causes and opportunities for improvement, and assist in developing practical recommendations.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with audit clients through professional, timely and direct communication.
• Communicate questions, concerns and emerging issues to the auditor in-charge and audit management in a timely manner.
• Support the use of data analytics, automated testing techniques and other technology-enabled audit tools.
• Demonstrate working knowledge of emerging technologies, including AI enabled processes.
• Provide assistance to external auditors.
• Support advisory engagements, special projects, strategic initiatives.
• Develop in-charge capabilities and team coordination skills through progressively complex assignments, as applicable.
• Maintain proficient knowledge of and demonstrate ongoing compliance with all laws and regulations applicable to this position, ensure ongoing adherence to pertinent policies, procedures, and internal controls, and meet all training requirements in a timely manner.

Qualifications

Education, Training and Requirements: Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business or related field required; Professional certifications such as CIA, CPA, CRCM, or CFIRS preferred, or progress toward certification strongly encouraged.

Skills: Demonstrated ability to evaluate, challenge, and leverage AI-driven environments; strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills. Effective verbal and written communication skills with the ability to present observations and recommendations clearly. Ability to interpret, analyze and report financial, operational and compliance information. Knowledge of accounting principles, internal control concepts and internal audit standards.

Experience: Minimum of two years of audit experience required. Experience in financial services including banking, wealth management, employee benefits, or insurance preferred.

Other Job Information

Compensation

• 11 paid holidays, paid vacation, Medical, Vision & Dental insurance, 401K with generous match, Pension, Tuition Reimbursement, Banking discounts and the list goes on!

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to stand, walk or sit. Use hands and fingers, handle or feel, reach with hands or arms, and speak and hear. The employee may occasionally be required to lift and or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and the ability to focus.

The Company is an Affir…?

The Company will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with a disability. If you have a physical or mental impairment and would like to request an accommodation with respect to the application process, please contact the Human Resources Department.

Minimum Salary

USD $62,400.00/Yr.

Maximum Salary

USD $88,000.00/Yr.