Internal Audit Senior Associate

Job Title

Job Description Summary

Job Description

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support the Department in ensuring the execution of a comprehensive annual audit plan

• Ownership for execution of planning, fieldwork, and reporting for audit and advisory engagements

• Develop risk-based audit programs and testing procedures relevant to compliance with Global/Regional/Local regulations and business objectives

• Assess operating risks and efficiency of internal controls, including performing a gap analysis to identify control weaknesses with a degree of professional skepticism

• Assess operating risks, efficiency of internal controls, and effectiveness of business processes, including performing a gap analysis to identify control weaknesses with a degree of professional skepticism

• Conduct interviews with audit clients and communicate issues in a timely manner, co-developing action plans as necessary to address root causes

• Ensure audit conclusions are supported, well-documented, and based on a firm understanding of the business processes, circumstances, and risks

• Develop clear, concise, and complete audit workpapers to ensure they meet IIA standards

• Draft audit report to conclude on the areas audited and issues identified and ensure management remediation plans are developed to address the root cause and associated risks

• Assist with audit report socialization and recommendations to Senior Leadership in a clear, concise, and professional manner

• Effectively track and follow-up on audit findings from report issuance to remediation to evaluate the adequacy of corrective actions

• Seek to fully understand relevant risks to the firm and proactively research and showcase firm understanding of relevant laws, regulations, and best practices

• Maintain strong working relationships with all levels of employees, including Operations and Senior Leadership

• Develop and promote process enhancements within Internal Audit to cultivate best-in-class audit processes and maintain the highest quality standards

• Develop and promote process enhancements, automation opportunities, and technology-enabled solutions within Internal Audit to cultivate best-in-class audit processes and maintain the highest quality standards

• Conduct data analytics using various appropriate tools to properly support audit findings and advisory engagements

• Conduct data analytics utilizing visualization, automation, and AI-enabled tools to support audit findings, identify trends and anomalies, and enhance advisory engagements

• Utilize critical thinking and analytical techniques to evaluate datasets, identify trends, anomalies, operational inefficiencies, and root causes

• Leverage emerging technologies and AI-enabled tools to improve audit efficiency, research, analysis, and overall audit execution

• Serve as a trusted advisor to the business and brand ambassador for C&W’s Internal Audit Department

REQUIREMENTS (Knowledge, Education and/or Experience):

• Minimum of 2-3+ years of external/internal auditing with a public accounting firm and/or internal auditing or accounting role with a publicly traded or privately held firm.

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Information Systems, and/or business-related degree with CPA, CIA, and/or other well-known AICPA and/or IIA credentials preferred

• Demonstrates knowledge of IIA Professional Practices and Standards

• Demonstrates basic knowledge of technology-enabled business processes and related risks

• Demonstrates knowledge and practical use of data analytics, visualization, and AI-enabled in audit work

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to handle competing priorities, while meeting all deadlines

• Demonstrates critical thinking, problem-solving, and sound professional judgment

• Demonstrates ability to collaborate and build relationships with Senior Leadership and colleagues

• Demonstrates intellectual curiosity and willingness to learn emerging technologies, analytics techniques, and AI-enabled tools

• Ability to analyze data, identify trends and anomalies, and apply insights to operational and audit-related activities

• Strong written and oral communication skills

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision

• Working knowledge of the commercial real estate industry preferred but not required

• Up to 40% travel

ABILITY TO:

• Manage priorities across various teams and deliverables, executing to deadlines

• Apply knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles

• Build strong relationships with stakeholders

• Problem-solve root causes collaboratively.  Demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving that result in process improvements

• Demonstrate analytical, accounting and audit skills

• Develop process flow charts and process narratives utilizing Microsoft Visio and Word/Excel

• Conduct data analytics and analyze datasets utilizing Microsoft Excel, SQL, Python, AI-enabled tools, or other analytics technologies to identify trends, anomalies, operational risks, and potential process inefficiencies

• Analyze datasets to identify trends, anomalies, operational risks, and potential process inefficiencies

• Leverage emerging technologies and AI-enabled tools to support research, analysis, and audit execution

MUST HAVE STRENGTHS IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize, follow-through, and manage multiple tasks, responsibilities, and deadlines

• Self-starter with flexibility, desire, and eagerness to take ownership of related tasks and responsibilities in order to keep the project on schedule

• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills

• Strong analytical and data analysis skills utilizing Microsoft Excel, visualization tools, SQL, Python, AI-enabled tools, and other analytics technologies

• Intellectual curiosity and willingness to leverage emerging technologies and AI-enabled tools to improve research, analysis, and audit execution

• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to identify trends, anomalies, operational risks, and process inefficiencies

• Growth mindset to learn new skills, network across the organization, and take on increasing leadership responsibilities within Internal Audit with the goal of rotating into a position of increasing responsibility outside of Internal Audit within 2-3 years of starting

WORKING CONDITIONS and/or PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Located in Chicago, IL

• Ability to travel 10 – 40% as needed

• Hybrid work model when not traveling – 3 days per week

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position at Cushman & Wakefield, please call the ADA line at 1-888-365-5406 or email Accommodations@cushwake.com. Please refer to the job title and job location when you contact us.