Senior Internal Auditor

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority is seeking a highly accomplished Senior Internal Auditor to serve as a strategic advisor in strengthening governance, risk management, compliance, and internal controls across one of the nation's largest public transportation systems. As a Senior Internal Auditor at WMATA, a successful candidate will lead complex audits, advisory engagements, risk assessments, and data-driven reviews aligned with Global Internal Audit Standards and COSO frameworks. Working closely with senior leadership, managers, and stakeholders across key business functions, you will identify risks, evaluate processes, and recommend practical solutions that enhance accountability, transparency, and performance. Leveraging expertise in audit, compliance, enterprise risk management, corrective action plans, and data analytics, you will transform results into actionable insights that improve operations, support strategic objectives, strengthen compliance, and reinforce public trust. Join WMATA and help advance a culture of integrity, accountability, and continuous improvement.

The Senior Internal Auditor (Specific Functional Area) leads and executes complex audit, advisory, compliance, and/or data analytics engagements that enhance governance, risk management, and internal controls. Operating under the Global Internal Audit Standards™ issued by the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), this role ensures services are executed with professionalism, integrity, and alignment to audit standards. As a strategic partner, the incumbent builds trust, fosters communication, and delivers insights to support decisions. Responsibilities include auditing financial, operational, compliance, and contractual areas; presenting findings; and confirming corrective actions. The role requires analytical skill, sound judgment, and discretion, using root-cause analysis and data analytics to identify gaps and develop risk-based solutions. Visual reports highlight key risks, promote transparency, and reinforce the internal audit’s role as a collaborative driver of improvement. The Senior Internal Auditor position is a progressive role from the Internal Auditor position.

Principal Job Duties

• The Senior Internal Auditor will perform work under one of the following disciplines and support cross-functional areas within the Audit & Compliance department based on work assigned (Senior Risk Analyst, Senior Compliance Analyst, or Senior Data Analyst).
• Internal Audit Services - Execution
  • Leads and conducts complex audits across financial, operational, compliance, and contractual areas, including support functions such as Budget, Finance, Human Resources, Operations, and Procurement.
  • Applies risk-based planning, control testing, process flowcharting, current and future state processes, and fieldwork to evaluate the effectiveness of internal controls and identify opportunities for improvement.
  • Integrates data analytics into audit engagements by defining objectives, performing targeted analyses on high-risk transactions, reporting results with clarity, and documenting the process to enhance audit transparency and repeatability.
  • Prepares comprehensive audit reports and summaries that clearly communicate procedures performed, results achieved, and data-driven insights. Develop practical, risk-informed recommendations and monitor the implementation of corrective actions through follow-up reviews.
  • Conducts root-cause analysis on audit findings, key risk indicators, and underperforming metrics, documenting impacted business processes and recommending sustainable solutions. Perform rigorous data quality checks to ensure the accuracy, consistency, and reliability of data used in risk assurance and advisory activities.
• Risk Advisory & Client Engagement
  • Serves as a trusted advisor to business units and executive leadership by identifying emerging risks, clarifying operational challenges, and facilitating discussions that drive process improvement and strengthen internal controls.
  • Leverages risk and performance data to evaluate progress toward strategic goals, preparing internal reports that promote transparency, accountability, and informed decision-making.
  • Responds to audit and advisory requests with professionalism and timeliness, while supporting enterprise risk management and contributing to cross-functional compliance initiatives aligned with organizational objectives.
• Standards, Compliance & Quality
  • Ensures internal audit activities consistently align with the Global Internal Audit Standards™, internal policies, and applicable regulatory requirements, while maintaining up-to-date knowledge of laws and regulations relevant to WMATA’s operations.
  • Supports external audit coordination and contributes to the overall success of the Audit & Compliance function through effective collaboration and alignment with professional standards.
  • Identifies and resolves gaps in data integrity, survey collection processes, and reporting methodologies to improve the quality, reliability, and impact of audit and advisory insights.
• Reporting, Communication & Visualization
  • Communicates audit findings, risks, trends, and recommendations clearly and effectively to stakeholders at all levels including staff, management, and the Board of Directors.
  • Prepares high-quality documentation and reports that meet professional standards and support informed decision-making. Collaborate with stakeholders to define reporting needs, develop surveys, and establish performance reporting requirements.
  • Compiles and visualizes data to support benchmarking, trend analysis, and audit/advisory reporting—delivering actionable insights to management through clear and compelling presentations.
• Professional Development & Knowledge Sharing
  • Stays current with industry best practices, audit techniques, and regulatory developments through training, seminars, and professional memberships.
  • Mentor's junior auditors and analysts contribute to knowledge sharing and continuous improvement within the department.

Other Duties

• Perform additional audit-related responsibilities as assigned to support departmental goals and organizational priorities, including leading or contributing to special projects and strategic initiatives that enhance the audit function’s value and impact.
• Promote a culture of safety and accountability by adhering to WMATA’s safety policies and procedures, encouraging the reporting of safety concerns in alignment with the Agency Safety Plan and Safety Management System (SMS).
• Support continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to refine audit processes, tools, and methodologies, while maintaining awareness of safety standards and compliance requirements.
• Maintains and promotes awareness and accountability with safety policies and procedures while performing job functions. Promotes a positive safety culture and encourages reporting of safety concerns consistent with our Agency Safety Plan, other regulatory requirements within the Safety Management System and just culture principles.

The functions listed are not intended to limit specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Nor is it intended to limit in any way the right of managers and supervisors to assign, direct and control the work of employees under their supervision.

Knowledge

• Intermediate to advanced knowledge of the Global Internal Audit Standards™, internal control frameworks, with demonstrated ability to lead complex audit and advisory engagements in accordance with professional standards.
• Strong understanding of legislation, regulations, and organizational policies relevant to compliance, governance, and enterprise risk management, including the strategic role of internal audit in advising on risk mitigation and operational improvement.
• Knowledgeable in audit methodologies such as risk-based auditing, control evaluation, and data analytics, including the application of statistical and analytical principles to evaluate organizational effectiveness.
• Familiarity with business operations across multiple functions and the ability to assess systemic risks, control environments, and strategic planning processes, including resource allocation and performance coordination.
• Knowledge in professional development and effective communication, with knowledge of strategic communication planning, English language composition, and emerging trends in internal auditing and technology.

Skills

• Advanced interpersonal, analytical, and strategic thinking skills with the ability to build relationships, influence stakeholders, and identify root causes to recommend impactful solutions.
• Strong organizational and time management capabilities to lead multiple complex engagements, mentor junior staff, and contribute to the development of audit methodologies and best practices.
• Skilled in presenting findings and recommendations clearly to senior leadership and cross-functional teams, with effective verbal and written communication across all levels of the organization.
• Skilled proficiently in Microsoft Word and Excel, with experience using audit management and data analytics tools such as ACL, IDEA, Power BI, and other performance evaluation software.
• Demonstrated skilled in applying logic, reasoning, and statistical analysis to assess system performance, monitor organizational effectiveness, and prepare data-driven reports and visualizations.

Abilities

• Ability to communicate effectively and persuasively at all levels of the organization—both orally and in writing—to present audit findings, lead discussions, co-facilitate risk assessments, and engage in strategic dialogue.
• Ability to evaluate complex information, identify systemic issues, and apply advanced judgment to assess risks, recommend solutions, and support informed decision-making.
• Ability to lead and collaborate on cross-functional projects in dynamic, high-stakes environments, while managing sensitive assignments with discretion and upholding confidentiality and ethical standards.
• Ability to mentor junior staff and contribute to the continuous improvement of audit practices by integrating new technologies and data-driven approaches into audit and advisory work.
• Ability to apply logical reasoning and analytical thinking to synthesize information, recognize patterns, and draw meaningful conclusions from written, spoken, and numerical data.

Machine, Tools, Equipment, Software, Hardware Required

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Visio) for preparing audit documentation, reports, presentations, and data analysis.
• Experience with audit management and data analytics tools such as ACL, IDEA, Power BI, Tableau, IBM Cognos, Python, and R Studio to support audit and advisory work.
• Familiarity with design and publishing tools including Adobe Illustrator and InDesign for creating professional reports and visualizations.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment including personal computers, printers, scanners, and other devices in a professional office environment.
• Skilled in using software applications for internet access, database management, statistical analysis, and performance monitoring to support audit functions and organizational effectiveness.

Supervisory Responsibility

Minimum Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Information Systems, Computer Science, or other related fields.

Minimum Experience

• Minimum five (5) years of experience in internal audit, public accounting, contract reviews, financial management, digital forensics, analytical problem solving, or other related fields.

Minimum Certification/Licensure

• N/A

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Internal Auditor, Certified Public Accountant, Certified Fraud Examiner, Certified Information Systems Auditor, Certification in Risk Management Assurance or comparable certifications
• Exposure to Transit industry business and operating practices