Global Assurance & Internal Audit Manager

At Awana, we believe true change happens in the communities when children and youth are transformed by the gospel  and engaged in Biblical discipleship in the presence of a caring adult. We believe that kids can come to know, love and serve Jesus, following Him for a lifetime. This is why, for 75 years, Awana has been working with leaders in local churches in the US and around the world, providing solutions that equip these women and men to make disciples in children and youth. 

Today, God is using Awana to reach more than 11 million children in 140 countries around the world. With over 600,000 equipped leaders serving in more than 107,000 clubs and churches, Awana plays a vital role in the global evangelism and discipleship of children and youth.

Awana accomplishes this through ministry in the United States and through a global network of affiliates—including international field offices, affiliated legal entities, and ministry partners—that carry out the ministry within their respective countries.

If you are passionate about helping reach children with the gospel, we invite you to join us and become part of our global mission.

Summary

Awana Clubs International (ACI) is seeking a Global Assurance & Internal Audit Manager to lead the implementation of its Global Assurance Framework. This role combines internal audit, operational review, financial stewardship, and relationship-building to strengthen Awana's global network of ministry affiliates.

The Global Assurance & Internal Audit Manager serves as a trusted partner to Awana's global affiliates by strengthening financial stewardship, operational effectiveness, and organizational accountability across the ministry.

Working collaboratively with affiliate leadership, the Global Assurance & Internal Audit Manager implements Awana Club International’s (ACI's) Global Assurance Framework through operational reviews, internal audits, external audit coordination, and ongoing advisory support. The role is focused specifically to help affiliates strengthen their financial processes, internal controls, governance, and operational practices while providing ACI leadership and stakeholders with reasonable assurance that ministry resources are being stewarded faithfully and effectively.

Success in this role requires a servant's heart, sound professional judgment, strong audit and accounting expertise, and the ability to build trusted relationships across diverse cultures while maintaining appropriate independence and objectivity.

Hiring Range for this position is: $80,000 - $85,000

Who We Are Looking For: 

• Team players who support, uphold and demonstrate the Awana values in internal and external communications and relationships.

• Collaborative partners who have a natural ability to create genuine relationships with our internal team and external partners.

• Logical problem solvers who proactively communicate workflow and/or deadline status to the team.

• Self-motivated, goal-oriented professionals with a passion for helping fuel exponential ministry growth.

• Flexible team members who are open to taking on new responsibilities and easily adapt to shifting priorities and needs.

• Champions of children to belong, believe and become resilient disciples.

Key Responsibilities:

Help strengthen financial stewardship for our global ministry (currently reaching over 11 million children world-wide with weekly Christian discipleship) through:

Audit & Assurance

• Execute ACI's Global Assurance Framework, including planning and conducting risk-based operational audits and desk reviews of international affiliates.

• Perform on-site reviews of financial records, accounting practices, internal controls, grant expenditures, and compliance with ACI policies.

• Evaluate governance, financial stewardship, and operational effectiveness.

• Document findings, prepare audit reports, and communicate recommendations to affiliate leadership and ACI management.

• Monitor corrective action plans and verify timely implementation.

External Audit Coordination

• Coordinate annual external audits required under ACI's assurance framework.

• Assist affiliates in preparing for external audits.

• Serve as ACI's liaison with external audit firms.

• Review audit reports, management letters, and financial statements for significant findings.

Financial Compliance

• Review quarterly financial reports and supporting documentation.

• Verify compliance with grant agreements, donor restrictions, and ACI financial policies.

• Identify emerging financial, operational, and compliance risks.

Training & Capacity Building

• Train affiliate finance personnel on internal controls, financial reporting, and stewardship expectations.

• Develop practical guidance and best practices to strengthen financial management.

• Mentor finance leaders in developing stronger accounting processes and controls.

Reporting

• Maintain the annual assurance plan.

• Prepare reports for the CFO, executive leadership, and Board Finance Committee.

• Track audit findings, remediation status, and recurring themes across the global ministry.

What You Need:

• Experience: 5–10 years of internal or external audit experience.

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance from an accredited institution.

• Preferred Experience: CPA, CIA, or equivalent professional certification.

• Technical Skills: 

  • Strong knowledge of internal controls, nonprofit accounting, and financial reporting.

  • Experience conducting operational and compliance audits.

  • Ability to work independently in international environments.

  • Excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills.

  • Advanced knowledge/skills in Excel & Google Sheets, including pivot tables, lookups, and conditional formulas, with the ability to efficiently manipulate data for analysis.

• Analytical Mindset: Detail-oriented and highly curious, with a strong desire to understand and improve systems, transactions, and processes—and help others do the same.

• Adaptability: Comfortable tackling ambiguous projects and driving them toward structured processes.

• Growth-Oriented: Eager to learn and develop alongside the organization.

• Work Authorization: Must be eligible to work in the U.S.; this position does not offer employment visa sponsorship.

• Travel: Willingness to travel internationally (perhaps 25–40% depending on your audit schedule). Valid US passport required.

Spiritual Life

Must be a born-again Christian. Must have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Must be in agreement with the Awana Doctrinal Statement. Must be in fellowship with the body of Christ through a local church. Regularly engages in reading the Holy Bible as a guide and standard for living. 

Physical Demands/Working Conditions 

While performing the duties of this job, the team member is regularly required to communicate. The team member is also required to regularly utilize computer equipment (e.g., screens and keyboards) to perform work. Awana recommends maintaining ergonomic posture, utilizing properly positioned computer equipment to minimize strain, and taking regular breaks to stretch and move around. Specific vision abilities required by this job included close vision. 

What We Offer: 

As a ministry that equips leaders to reach kids with the gospel and engage them in lifelong discipleship, we value our team that makes this happen and are excited to offer: 

• Mission-driven work that changes the lives of children and youth around the world. 

• Intentional connection, flexibility, family, and community engagement are part of our culture.

• Remote-first work environment, allowing you to do the majority of your work from where it is you call "home”. We also have two office locations designed for collaborative work and connection with colleagues in St. Charles, Illinois, and Nashville, Tennessee, that can be used at your convenience. This accounting position is a hybrid role that requires presence at our St. Charles, IL office one to two days per week.

• Benefits package, including a variety of programs you can choose from to meet you and your family’s needs. Some of these include medical, dental & vision health insurance, paid family leave, 401(k) & Roth 401(k) retirement savings plans with employer match, generous paid vacation & holidays, adoption assistance, an employee wellness program, and more! 

This Job Description reflects the current assignment of essential functions and is not meant to be all-inclusive. Responsibilities may be assigned or reassigned to this job at any time based on the needs of the organization and may be modified to reasonably accommodate an individual with a disability or for other reasons. Please note, this opportunity is contingent upon favorable completion of a reference check, background check, and I-9 completion.