Senior Audit Project Manager: Internal Controls Lead

First Financial Bank; Duncan (OK); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

First Financial Bank is seeking a VP Audit Project Manager I to lead internal audits across banking functions from its Fort Worth location. The role emphasizes risk assessment, controls testing, and coordinating with regulators and external auditors to strengthen the control environment.

With a minimum five years in a regulated financial setting and a CPA/CIA preferred, you will guide audit planning, execution, and reporting while mentoring the audit team and ensuring timely, high‑quality

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related discipline or equivalent work experience in financial institution.
• Minimum five (5) years of experience in a related role at regulated financial institution and/or Big Four accounting firm is required.
• Knowledge of financial institution regulatory environment and requirements.
• Related certifications (CPA, CIA, or similar) is preferred.
• Previous Finance, Credit, Banking Product, Trust, Operations audit experience
• Understanding of risks and internal controls and the ability to evaluate and figure out adequacy and efficiency of controls.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and deliver high-quality deliverables within deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to implement continuous improvement and innovation in audit tools and techniques
• Consistently demonstrate clear and concise written and verbal communication
• Demonstrated ability to remain unbiased in a diverse working environment
• Effective communication and negotiation skills
• Ability to protect confidential information

Responsibilities

• Ensure the Company’s internal audit program is effective and meets regulatory and industry standards.
• Conduct internal audits of First Financial Bankshares Finance, Credit, Banking Products and Operation, and Human Resources, and First Financial Trust & Asset Management.
• Assist in the planning and execution of the Internal Audit Program in accordance with established internal controls, financial industry standards, and federal/ state laws and regulations.
• Understand risks and internal controls and the ability to evaluate and figure out adequacy and efficiency of controls.
• Test internal controls to identify violations of operational related laws or regulations and deviations from the policies and procedures.
• Liaise between the bank and external parties, such as auditors and regulators, and lead or assist with the gathering of information, scheduling, and planning of these engagements.
• Review quality of outsourced or co-sourced audits including assessing workpapers.
• Prepare audit reports, including the audit opinion and audit issues in timely, clear, and concise manner.
• Analyze report findings, recommend interventions where needed, and propose creative and pragmatic solutions to risk and control issues.
• Monitor progress of the audit issues’ resolutions and validate proper implementation prior to closure.
• Participate in key business initiatives and proactively advise and/or provide feedback to management.
• Work as a member of a project team and cultivate a strong working relationship with Internal Audit Management and line of businesses.
• Implement integrated audit approach and data analytics within the scope of the audits (when possible).
• Identify solutions for a variety of complex and unique control issues, using complex judgement and sophisticated analytical thought.
• Supervise the audit team in the completion of audit engagements and ensure the audits are completed with high quality and timely.
• Partner with Bank and holding company line-of-business managers and risk staff to develop approaches for addressing emerging issues.
• Perform the risk assessment to the auditable entities assigned on a semi-annual basis to identify the risk impacting the company and determine whether the control environment is appropriate to mitigate the risk.
• Appropriately assess risk when business decisions are made, demonstrating consideration for the company's reputation and safeguarding the company, its customers, and assets, by driving compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, adhering to policy, applying sound ethical judgment regarding personal behavior, conduct and business practices, and escalating, managing and reporting control issues with transparency, as well as effectively supervise the activity of others and create accountability with those who fail to maintain these standards.
• Actively support the Customer Service First program, support the values of the organization, and follow established policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Audit management

Regulatory knowledge

Risk assessment

Internal controls

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting/finance or related

CPA or CIA preferred

Job description

First Financial Bank is seeking a VP Audit Project Manager I to lead internal audits across banking functions from its Fort Worth location. The role emphasizes risk assessment, controls testing, and coordinating with regulators and external auditors to strengthen the control environment.

With a minimum five years in a regulated financial setting and a CPA/CIA preferred, you will guide audit planning, execution, and reporting while mentoring the audit team and ensuring timely, high‑quality