Lead Audit Services Consultant

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

BCBSLA seeks a Lead Audit Services Consultant to spearhead consulting engagements across financial, operational, and IT controls. This senior role involves risk assessment, advisory input on control design, and guiding audit projects.

The successful candidate will mentor staff and collaborate with BCBSLA and affiliated entities. Requirements include a Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred), 10+ years in audit/finance/IT, and strong knowledge of IIA standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in Accounting, Computer Science or related field.
• 10+ years of audit, finance and/or IT experience with strong risks, controls knowledge.
• Healthcare industry experience preferred.
• IIA Standards knowledge is essential.

Responsibilities

• Manages Corporate Audit Planning process and related documentation.
• Develops, reviews, and publishes Audit Committee Charters and standards.
• Presents improvement opportunities to Audit Consulting practice.
• Facilitates deep-dive strategic and technical discussions.
• Keeps technical skills current and tracks industry trends.
• Leads audit project coordination and reporting of related metrics.

Skills

Audit leadership

Risk assessment

Project management

IT governance

Communication

Mentoring

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Experience in lieu of degree

Tools

Microsoft Azure

Amazon Web Services

DevSecOps

Oracle Peoplesoft

Workday

Excel

Job description

POSITION PURPOSE

Guided by Corporate Audit policies and standards, the Lead Audit Services Consultant is responsible for leading consulting engagements and reviews (including special projects) to identify and assess inherent risks of new and existing processes, technologies and financial and operational controls. Acts as a subject matter expert capable of performing and supervising assignments in all three areas of audit: financial, operational, and information technology. Provides risk and issues identification and advisory input on control needs, design, and development related to business operations, information technology and security, and financial management. Provides consulting and advisory services in the selection of new business and/or technology solutions. Accountable for complying with all laws and regulations associated with duties and responsibilities. Provides leadership, project management, and enhancements to the audit functions within the Corporate Audit Division by completion of the Accountabilities listed below.

NATURE AND SCOPE

This role does not manage people

This role reports to this job: Manager, Audit Consulting Services

Necessary Contacts: This position has no reports but will coach and mentor less experienced Audit Consulting Services staff and seniors.

To do this job effectively the incumbent has to be in contact with:

All levels of BCBSLA and Vantage Holdings Inc. personnel, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, other Blue Plans, and a limited number of external community/industry organizations.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Computer Science or other technical programs including mathematics, applied physics or Business Administration required

Master's degree in Accounting, Computer Science or Business Administration or related field preferred

Six years of related work experience can be used in lieu of a degree

Work Experience

More than 10 years of audit, finance and/or systems (IT) experience with a strong working knowledge of risks, controls, and the control environment

Healthcare industry experience preferred

Experience may run concurrently

Skills and Abilities

Requires advanced knowledge of business and operations processes and concepts.

Ability to daily manage time and staff assigned to project(s).

Requires strong analytical and organizational abilities.

Must have advanced knowledge of information technology concepts, practices, terminology, and standards, with ability to actively conduct and/or engage in complex technology related discussions relative to assignments.

Must have advanced knowledge of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other relative software.

Requires a broad knowledge of information technology and control concepts and application knowledge of business systems.

• Business Operations
• Continuous Control Monitoring
• Process Improvement
• Project Management
• Enterprise Architecture
• Enterprise Strategy
• Risk Management
• Information Technology & Cybersecurity
• Healthcare Core Administrative Systems (Trizetto Facets)
• Care & Disease Management Systems (Zeomega Jiva)
• Enterprise Resource Planning- Finance or Human Resources (Oracle Peoplesoft, Workday)
• Microsoft Azure
• Amazon Web Services
• DevSecOps

• Expert knowledge of IIA Standards
• Excellent interpersonal skills in areas such as teamwork, facilitation, and negotiation
• Strong leadership skills
• Excellent analytical and technical skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent planning and organizational skills
• Ability to understand the long-term (\"big picture\") and short-term perspectives of situations
• Ability to estimate the financial impact of alternatives
• Ability to apply multiple technical solutions to business problems
• Ability to quickly comprehend the functions and capabilities of new technologies
• Knowledge of information principles and processes
• Basic knowledge of financial models and budgeting
• Understanding of network and security architecture
• Strong understanding of the Company’s culture and ability to quickly adapt to organizational needs and challenges

Understanding of infrastructure and security requirements, such as HIPAA preferred

Licenses and Certifications

• Finance & Accounting\Certified Public Accountant (CPA) required or
• Information Technology\Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) required or
• Finance & Accounting\Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) required

ACCOUNTABILITIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Manages and coordinates the Corporate Audit Planning process and associated documentation;
• Manages the development, review, and publishing of Audit Committee Charters, Corporate Audit Divisional Charter, standards, and policies;
• Creates and presents improvement opportunities to the Audit Consulting practice / artifacts;
• Facilitates deep-dive strategic and technical discussions around consulting practices;
• Possesses intellectual curiosity and keeps technical skills current, while maintaining a pulse on industry trends;
• Defines, collects, synthesizes, analyzes and works with ACS management to develop and report on all related and relevant metrics associated with Audit Consulting Services practice to demonstrate increasing maturity and value; and
• Mentors and coaches staff and senior Audit Service Consultants.

Defines, executes, and manages audits and special projects, as assigned, to ensure completion of the annual audit plan while demonstrating sound judgment and decision making, commitment to tasks, persistence in overcoming obstacles, dependability in difficult circumstances, and a sense of urgency about getting results.

• Expertly communicates audit issues to all levels of management and staff personnel within the area under audit review through the timely issuance of discussion issues and audit reports.
• Assesses and identifies operational, financial, and/or technology-based risks and control deficiencies and provides a summary report to the appropriate business areas, as appropriate.
• Provides consulting and advisory services related to addressing risk, resolving issues, and implementing recommended modifications to existing and new operational, financial, and/or technology related controls.
• As appropriate, responsible for any audits or special projects, including managing, directing, reviewing and performing procedures, including, but not limited to, those which would otherwise propose a conflict of interest or impairment of independence within the Audit Division to ensure unbiased audit.
• When appropriate, directs, monitors, and schedules auditors and tasks to ensure resources are efficiently and effectively used while continuously providing coaching, guidance, and direction.
• As assigned, provide oversight, management and review of external requests from groups, regulatory agencies, internal departments or other external parties to ensure coordination and accuracy of data presented.
• Attends formal and informal training sessions and self-study to keep abreast of information technology concepts, industry best practices, security technologies, and auditing and accounting standards.
• Serves as liaison between Audit Division and other areas of the Company to maintain working relationships with auditees.
• Responsible for accumulation and analysis of surveys in order to determine if Corporate Audit is meeting expectations and needs of auditees.
• Perform assessments to determine needs, requests and requirements of auditees, including requests for consulting services and special projects.
• Attend oversight and standing meetings to determine level and timing of audit involvement.
• Provides guidance in the development and responsible for on-going quality assurance.
• Leads the coordination and completion of the annual risk assessment process, including timelines, meetings, updates, and presentation to CAE, with recommendations for projects and work plan to be presented to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors to ensure coordination and accuracy of data presented.
• Complete internal quality assurance of audit process for l audits and projects prior to issuance of final reports.
• Document, assess, identify gaps, prepare remediation and perform follow-up in order to prepare Corporate Audit Division for Quality Assurance Reviews.

COMPETENCIES:Technical Competencies

Understanding existing systems and technology Designing, developing, and assessing controls Understanding information technology and cyber security practices Understanding emerging technologies

Business Competencies

Understanding business practices and approaches Understanding business organization, politics, and culture Understanding the regulatory and compliance impact to business operations Understanding business processes

Behavioral Competencies

Conceptualizing and developing abstract representations Innovating and thinking creatively Focusing on results Developing and institutionalizing an enterprise perspective Using foresight to anticipate solutions and risks Building consensus Facilitating diverse groups Leading teams and mentoring individuals Communicating effectively Demonstrating the risks and controls to the business in laymen’s terms Ability to describe risks in laymen’s terms

Additional Accountabilities and Essential Functions

The Physical Demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the Accountabilities and Essential Functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be