Audit Associate

Position Title: 

Audit Associate

FLSA Status: 

Exempt (17D)

Reports to: 

Chief Audit Executive

Job Summary: The internal auditor is primarily responsible for assisting with scheduled audits and SOX testing of key controls. In addition, the auditor will be responsible for assisting the external audit team with the annual integrated audit. Responsibilities include reviewing the design and operating effectiveness of financial and operational procedures and internal controls to determine compliance with Bank policies and industry best practices.

Essential Functions:

• Assists in planning and executing internal audit engagements in accordance with the annual audit plan as directed by senior internal audit team. 
• Interviews employees of various business units to gain an understanding of workflow and technologies used. 
• Prepares clear and concise workpapers that support audit conclusions. 
• Documents and communicates issues found during the audit to senior internal audit team member and the Chief Audit Executive in a timely matter and makes recommendations for improvements. 
• Assists in risk assessment activities including scope, surveys, risk assessment matrices and flowcharts of key controls. 
• Works with outside consultants and external audit team to provide additional audit assistance as needed. 
• Assists senior internal audit team member and the Chief Audit Executive in preparing formal reports of audit results for distribution to Bank management and Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. 
• Performs related responsibilities as required or assigned by other Internal Audit team members. 
• Pursues professional development opportunities, including internal and external training to maintain professional license.
• Maintains confidentiality of all sensitive Bank information.
• Maintains a positive and caring atmosphere for customers and employees consistent with Southside Bank’s mission, CORE Values, and Blue Book culture guide.
• Provides enthusiastic, professional, and courteous service to Southside Bank customers and employees.
• Participates in proactive team efforts to achieve departmental and company goals.
• Understands and agrees to abide by the policies and procedures established at Southside Bank.
• Responsible for complying with audit policies and procedures as they pertain to this position.
• Performs duties in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including but not limited to the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and related anti-money laundering laws, and in accordance with the Bank’s Information Security Program.
• Must comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

Additional Functions:

• Complies with all safety policies, practices and procedures. Report all unsafe activities to supervisor and/or Human Resources.
• Performs additional duties, as assigned or directed.

Required Education/Experience: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in accounting, finance or other business-related disciplines. 
• CPA or CIA preferred or actively pursuing one or more of the aforementioned licenses.
• CISA license is optional.
• One to two years of auditing experience.
• Excellent knowledge of generally accepted accounting standards, internal audit principles and report writing techniques. 
• Proficient in MS Office Suite. 
• IT Audit and data query experience.
• Sarbanes Oxley experience and experience with financial institutions are a plus.
• Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills in order to work well with all levels of the organization. 
• Strong analytical skills. 
• Able to work independently and with a team and the ability to grasp new concepts quickly, troubleshoot problems, multi-task and prioritize projects. 

Necessary Skills: 

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret the most complex documents. 
• Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints. 
• Ability to write speeches and articles using original or innovative techniques or style. 
• Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.
• Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. 
• Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems. 
• Ability to deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables.
• Intermediate personal computer skills, including electronic mail, routine database activity, word processing, spreadsheet, graphics, etc.
• Ability to prioritize, organize and delegate assignments.

Physical Activity/Dexterity:

• Manual dexterity sufficient to reach/handle items and work with fingers. Works with fingers and perceives attributes of objects and materials.

Physical Environment Demands:

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position 90% of the time.
• The person in this position needs to occasionally move about inside the office to visit other offices, conference rooms, office machinery, etc.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and telephone.
• Constantly positions self to operate on a computer.
• The person in this position frequently communicates with other people throughout each day. Must be able to exchange accurate information when conversing.

Working Conditions/Environment:

• Well-lighted, heated and/or air-conditioned indoor office setting with adequate ventilation.
• Moderate noise (e.g. business office with computers and printers, light traffic).

Work Schedule/Hours:

• Monday through Friday; 8:00am – 5:00pm.
• Available for overtime, as needed.

Southside Bank uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. 

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)