Chief Internal Auditor

Job Posting Title

Agency

Supervisory Organization

Job Posting End Date

Refer to the date listed at the top of this posting, if available. Continuous if date is blank.

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the posting end date above.

Estimated Appointment End Date (Continuous if Blank)

Full/Part-Time

Job Type

Compensation

Job Description

ABOUT US

MISSION. STEWARDSHIP. IMPACT.  At the Commissioners of the Land Office (CLO), our work directly supports public education across Oklahoma. Through responsible management of the state’s land, minerals, and investments, we help generate funding that benefits schools and future generations. Join a team committed to public service, accountability, and making a meaningful difference across the state.   To learn more about CLO, please visit CLO.ok.gov.

Benefits of Joining CLO

CLO offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employees and their families, including:

• Generous Benefits Allowance: Up to $21,934.08 annually, based on family size, to help cover the cost of benefits
• Comprehensive Insurance Options: Choose from a variety of plans with no pre-existing condition exclusions or limitations
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Pre-tax savings for healthcare and dependent care expenses. 
• Retirement: Pathfinder 401K with up to a 7% match
• Generous Leave: Full-time employees receive 15 days of vacation and 15 days of sick leave in the first year
• Paid Holidays: Enjoy 11 paid holidays each year
• Paid Parental Leave: Eligible employees may receive up to six weeks of paid parental leave following the birth or adoption of a child after completing two years of service.
• Employee Discounts: Access discounts with a variety of companies and vendors
• Longevity Bonus: Receive a bonus after two years of service, with annual bonuses thereafter
• Compensatory Time: Available for both FLSA exempt and nonexempt employees
• Employee Assistance Program: Access confidential support and helpful resources for you and your family

JOB SUMMARY

The Chief Internal Auditor plans, organizes, and oversees all internal auditing activities, including financial, operational, compliance, and performance audits. The position evaluates the adequacy of accounting systems, internal controls, risk management practices, and governance processes to ensure the effective stewardship of public assets and resources. The Chief Internal Auditor serves as a trusted advisor to leadership, promoting accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement across the organization while maintaining organizational independence, functional reporting alignment with the Audit Committee, and adherence to applicable professional auditing standards.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business, Finance, or a closely related field.
• A minimum of 5–7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in auditing and/or accounting.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in Accounting, Business, Finance, or closely related field.
• Professional certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) preferred.
• Progressively responsible professional experience in auditing and/or accounting within a governmental or public-sector environment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Technical Expertise & Applied Knowledge: Generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), governmental accounting standards, and internal auditing standards. Auditing theories, techniques, and best practices, including financial, operational, compliance, and performance auditing. Risk management, internal controls, and governance frameworks. Public administration principles and regulatory compliance. Modern office practices and automated accounting and audit systems. Ability to independently plan, conduct, and oversee complex audit engagements. Ability to analyze financial and operational data, evaluate internal controls, and develop clear, actionable audit findings and recommendations. Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.
• Internal Audit Leadership & Strategic Planning: Direct, plan, and oversee the internal audit function, including the development and execution of a risk-based annual audit plan. Establish audit priorities aligned with organizational risks, statutory requirements, applicable internal audit standards, and the Commissioners’ objectives. Manage departmental time, resources, and workload to ensure effective audit coverage and timely completion of audits. Operates the internal audit function in accordance with the approved Audit Charter, which defines the authority, responsibility, reporting relationships, and scope of internal audit activities, consistent with professional auditing standards.
• Audit Execution, Quality Assurance & Reporting: Plan, schedule, and oversee financial, operational, compliance, and performance audits. Review audit workpapers for accuracy, completeness, and adherence to professional auditing standards. Review, edit, and approve audit reports, ensuring findings and recommendations are clear, objective, and actionable. Track audit progress and ensure appropriate follow-up on findings and management responses. Presents the annual risk-based audit plan, audit results, and significant risk or governance issues to the Audit Committee and Commissioners, and escalates matters related to independence, scope limitations, or management interference as appropriate.
• Advisory Services & Stakeholder Collaboration: Serve as a trusted advisor to leadership by providing audit consultation, guidance, and resolution support to agency management and staff. Communicate audit results and risk assessments to the Commissioners and leadership in a clear and professional manner. Foster collaborative relationships while maintaining audit independence and objectivity.
• Risk Management, Internal Controls & Governance: Evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of accounting systems, internal controls, risk management practices, and governance processes. Identify control gaps, emerging risks, and opportunities for improvement, and provide recommendations to enhance accountability, transparency, and operational effectiveness.
• External Audit Coordination & Regulatory Liaison: Act as a point of contact for state auditors, external auditors, and regulatory entities. Coordinate audit activities, respond to audit requests, and facilitate the resolution of audit findings to ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and administrative rules.
• Process Improvement & Special Projects: Assess and enhance internal audit processes, methodologies, and procedures to improve efficiency and effectiveness. Perform special projects and related duties as assigned by leadership or the Commissioners.

ESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES

• Strategic Communication & Executive Presence: Communicates audit results, risk assessments, and governance concerns clearly, objectively, and with executive presence. Effectively presents complex findings to the Audit Committee, Commissioners, and senior leadership to support informed oversight and decision-making.
• Independent Judgment & Professional Skepticism: Applies sound independent judgment and professional skepticism when evaluating financial, operational, and compliance matters. Objectively assesses evidence, challenges assumptions when appropriate, and formulates balanced, risk-informed conclusions.
• Enterprise Risk & Governance Insight: Demonstrates comprehensive understanding of agency operations, governance frameworks, and fiduciary responsibilities. Evaluates how risks, controls, and processes align with strategic objectives and statutory mandates.
• Risk-Based Planning & Audit Prioritization: Develops and executes audit strategies using an enterprise-wide, risk-based methodology. Anticipates emerging risks, regulatory changes, and operational impacts to ensure effective audit coverage.
• Ethical Leadership, Independence & Integrity: Maintains the highest standards of objectivity, confidentiality, and professional integrity. Preserves organizational independence and credibility while navigating sensitive or high-impact issues.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Oversight Relationship Management: Builds constructive professional relationships with Commissioners, executive leadership, management, and external auditors while maintaining appropriate independence and authority.
• Audit Quality & Results Execution: Ensures timely completion of high-quality audits that produce meaningful, actionable recommendations. Monitors follow-up actions and drives continuous improvement of audit processes and methodologies.
• Data Analytics & Information Systems Fluency: Leverages audit technologies, data analytics tools, and information systems to enhance audit effectiveness, identify risk patterns, and strengthen oversight capabilities.
• Continuous Professional Standards Awareness: Maintains current knowledge of governmental auditing standards, regulatory requirements, and emerging risk trends to ensure audit practices remain compliant and aligned with professional standards.
• Board & Audit Committee Governance Alignment: Maintains effective functional reporting relationship with the Audit Committee, ensuring audit independence, transparency, and alignment with professional auditing standards.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

Location: 204 N Robinson Ave, Suite 900, Oklahoma City, OK 73102

Work Environment includes:

• Office Setting: Climate-controlled office setting with exposure to moderate noise; the employee is frequently required to talk, walk, and stand; this position requires long periods of sitting and daily use of computer and phone. Must be able to remain in a stationary position 75% of the time.

Physical Demands include:

• Ability to stand, reach, and bend 50% of the time;
• Operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine/printer, and office telephone 75% of the time;
• Ascends/descends stairs 25% of the time;
• Ability to lift to 25 lbs.

Cognitive Requirements:

• This role requires clear and accurate communication, strong analytical skills, and the ability to evaluate information and make timely decisions.
• Sustained focus and attention to detail are essential, along with memory retention of policies, procedures, and facts over various time frames.
• Adaptability and mental flexibility are also necessary to handle changing information, work conditions, and unexpected challenges.

TRAVEL

20% in-state/out-of-state travel may be required.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without sponsorship now or in the future;
• Successful completion of a pre-employment background check;
• Must possess a valid driver’s license from a U.S. state or territory to perform necessary job-related travel.
• This position’s reporting structure and authority are governed by the Audit Charter and applicable professional auditing standards and may differ from standard administrative reporting relationships to preserve independence.

Equal Opportunity Employment

The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.

Current active State of Oklahoma employees must apply for open positions internally through the Workday Jobs Hub.

If you are needing any extra assistance or have any questions relating to a job you have applied for, please click the link below and find the agency for which you applied for additional information:

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