Director - Internal Audit

About the role

The Director - Internal Audit role oversees and manages the Acuity Internal Audit Department, providing independent assurance and advisory services to support organizational goals.

Responsibilities

• Develop and oversee the internal audit department, ensuring independence, objectivity, and adherence to Global Internal Audit Standards.
• Provide leadership and direction on internal audit engagements across all Acuity functions.
• Engage in thought leadership dialog with peers, officers, and others to assist in advancing Acuity strategies and industry-leading practices.
• Maintain a culture of accountability, ethics, and continuous improvement.
• Evaluate and enhance internal controls through work with managers and project evaluations.
• Identify significant business risks and anticipate emerging risks to confirm recognition and appropriate management by the company.
• Prepare and manage the internal audit budget and ensure resources are effectively deployed.
• Document and maintain records on outstanding audit issues and ensure appropriate follow-up.
• Create and implement a risk-based internal audit plan, aligned with the company’s enterprise risk assessment and regulatory requirements.
• Establish a multi-year Internal Audit Strategic Plan and corresponding objectives to advance the long-term vision of the internal audit department.
• Develop comprehensive engagement-level audit programs to test the design, implementation, and effectiveness of internal controls over processes.
• Work as a team leader for the department, coordinating timelines, developing stakeholder relationships, overseeing the delivery of the audit plan, and reviewing and issuing audit reports.
• Recommend co-sourcing or outsourcing where audits for areas requiring specialized expertise are necessary.
• Report to senior management and the Audit Committees on internal audit activities, adequacy of internal controls, and internal audit coverage within the company.
• Provide recommendations on risk exposures, control deficiencies, and governance issues.
• Meet with the Officer and Board Audit Committees on a quarterly basis and with the Full Board quarterly (or as requested by management).
• Coordinate with second line assurance providers and evaluate potential reliance on governance, risk management, and compliance departments.
• Engage with external auditors, regulators, and examiners during audits and examinations, as requested.
• Lead the execution of internal audit engagements, ensuring conformance with Global Internal Audit Standards.
• Recruit, train, mentor, and manage internal auditors, ensuring the team collectively possesses the competencies required to meet organizational and professional standards.
• Provide ongoing professional development opportunities to ensure the team remains current on industry trends and best practices.
• Ensure continuing education requirements are met in accordance with Global Internal Audit Standards and to maintain relevant professional certifications, as applicable.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Regular and predictable attendance is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with emphasis in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), or Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) required.
• Certification in Risk Management Assurance (CRMA) or other relevant internal audit certifications, professional education and credentials a plus.
• 10+ years of extensive experience in Internal Audit and/or Public Accounting with a strong concentration in internal audit leadership and execution with roles of increasing responsibility.
• Proven leadership experience managing and developing internal audit teams and audit engagements, preferably in the property and casualty insurance industry.
• Property and casualty insurance internal auditing experience preferred.
• Expert knowledge of accounting and auditing principles, risk assessment, audit plan development, and audit methodologies.
• High degree of analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver complex analysis in a concise manner to Board- and Executive-level audiences.
• Strong financial and operational analysis skills.
• Exercise good professional judgment, professional skepticism, and effective leadership to make decisions.
• Ability to apply and evaluate the materiality of issues while seeing the bigger picture and context of issues.
• Comprehensive knowledge of property and casualty insurance industry and agency operations.
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to build relationships across all levels of the organization, as well as with external auditors, regulators, and industry peers.
• Demonstrated expertise in managing external vendor relationships, including vendor evaluation and selection.
• Manage multiple concurrent audit engagements and administrative tasks.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, including strong executive briefing skills to enable effective interaction with Acuity officers and directors.
• Proficiency in internal audit software and tools (e.g., TeamMate Analytics, Optro, Workiva) and continuous auditing/monitoring approaches.
• Use of artificial intelligence accepted tools, where applicable, for internal audit or other business tasks.