Senior Internal Auditor

FirstBank; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

FirstBank is actively seeking a Senior Internal Auditor to join its Nashville, TN team. This role involves planning and executing risk-based audits, evaluating internal control processes, and delivering recommendations for improvement. The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical skills and a Bachelor's degree in Accounting or a related field.

The Senior Internal Auditor will also mentor junior auditors and support various corporate functions, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of internal or external auditing experience.
• Proficiency in understanding governance and risk management.
• Ability to utilize technology-enabled audit techniques.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute risk-based internal audits.
• Communicate audit findings to management.
• Mentor junior audit team members.

Skills

Strong understanding of internal controls

Analytical skills

Risk management knowledge

Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or related field

Tools

Audit analytics software

Visualization tools

Job description

Summary

FirstBank is a Tennessee-headquartered community bank regulated by the Federal Reserve Bank and Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions. The Internal Audit Department provides independent, objective assurance and advisory services designed to add value and improve the Bank's operations. Internal Audit helps FirstBank accomplish its objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of governance, risk management, and internal control processes.

The Senior Internal Auditor independently plans, executes, and reports on risk-based internal audit engagements across various business activities and corporate functions. The position performs complex audit testing, evaluates risks and controls, develops practical recommendations for improvement, and communicates audit results to management. The Senior Internal Auditor also assists with audit planning, risk assessments, issue validation activities, and other assurance and consulting services while serving as a mentor and resource to less experienced team members.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Plans, performs, and reports on internal audit engagements in accordance with the Global Internal Audit Standards, Internal Audit methodology, departmental procedures, and applicable regulatory guidance.
• Conducts financial, operational, compliance, technology-related, and integrated audits to evaluate governance, risk management, and control processes.
• Performs risk assessments, develops audit objectives and programs, documents process understanding, and identifies key risks and controls.
• Executes audit procedures including walkthroughs, test work, substantive testing, data analysis, control testing, and root cause analysis.
• Utilizes data analytics, automation, artificial intelligence-enabled tools, and other audit technologies, when appropriate, to enhance audit effectiveness and efficiency.
• Identifies control deficiencies, emerging risks, process improvement opportunities, and themes requiring management attention.
• Develops well-supported audit observations and practical recommendations to strengthen controls, improve operational effectiveness, and reduce risk.
• Prepares clear, concise, accurate, and timely audit workpapers, presentations, and audit reports.
• Communicates audit results and recommendations effectively with audit leadership and business management.
• Performs issue validation and follow-up activities to assess the design and effectiveness of corrective actions.
• Assists with enterprise risk assessments, audit universe maintenance, annual audit planning, continuous monitoring activities, and special projects.
• Serves as a mentor and technical resource to Associate Auditors and Auditors by sharing knowledge, reviewing work when requested, and supporting professional development.
• Maintains confidentiality of information in accordance with Bank policy and applicable laws and regulations.
• Maintains professional knowledge through continuing education, industry research, regulatory awareness, and professional certifications.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Information Systems, Data Analytics, Economics, Risk Management, or a related field.
• Three (3) or more years of internal audit, external audit, risk management, regulatory, compliance, accounting, financial services, or other relevant experience.
• Experience performing risk-based audits, reviews, assessments, or control validation activities.

Preferred:

• Banking or financial institution experience.
• Public accounting or consulting experience.
• Professional certification such as:
• Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
• Certified Financial Services Auditor (CFSA)
• Other relevant professional certifications
• Experience utilizing audit analytics, automation, artificial intelligence tools, visualization tools, or other technology-enabled audit techniques.

Skills and Abilities

• Strong understanding of internal controls, governance, and risk management concepts.
• Knowledge of regulatory expectations applicable to financial institutions and the ability to assess compliance with policies, procedures, laws, regulations, and internal standards.
• Knowledge of COSO Internal Control and Enterprise Risk Management frameworks.
• Ability to independently plan and execute audit assignments with limited supervision.
• Strong analytical, investigative, and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to evaluate complex processes, identify root causes, and develop practical recommendations.
• Ability to analyze and interpret financial, operational, regulatory, and technology-related information.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and the ability to learn and utilize audit, risk, analytics, and reporting software.
• Ability to organize work, manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing business needs.
• Demonstrated professionalism, integrity, sound judgment, and commitment to teamwork and continuous improvement.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with ability to work and communicate with business process owners.
• Ability to read, interpret, analyze, and evaluate documents such as policies, procedures, standards, financial information, and laws/regulations.
• Ability to critically analyze and assess the adequacy of internal controls and opportunities for process improvements and efficiency gains.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of inputs furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.
• Demonstrated integrity and judgment within a professional environment.
• Respectful demeanor toward other associates and managers that promotes a positive and professional work environment.