Principal Auditor (5973U), Audit & Advisory Services #88061

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom, and belonging makes it a special place for students, faculty, and staff. As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. We actively support professional growth by providing all full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities.

About the Department

Audit and Advisory Services assists all levels of University management in the discharge of their oversight, management, and operating responsibilities. We provide relevant, timely, independent assurance, advisory, and investigative services using a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate risk and improve the effectiveness of control and governance processes.

About the Role

This position involves auditing for compliance with laws, policies, and good business practices, reporting findings, and making recommendations to implement improvements. You will evaluate the adequacy of internal controls, the effectiveness of policies and procedures, and search for value-added recommendations to improve efficiency. This role is eligible for a fully remote work arrangement, with the requirement to report to campus as needed for projects or other business needs.

Responsibilities

• Performs and/or leads audit projects of substantial complexity and scope in accordance with professional standards, including preliminary survey and risk assessment activities.
• Designs appropriate audit programs and procedures to accomplish review objectives, working within project budgeted hours and timelines.
• Performs testing based on approved audit programs, including tests of financial and operating system processes, to identify internal control weaknesses and audit issues.
• Applies advanced auditing concepts and tools (including data analysis) to perform highly complex technical analyses.
• Develops formal written reports to communicate audit results and makes recommendations; presents results to senior leadership as appropriate.
• Follows up on management corrective actions to ensure completion and escalates issues requiring attention in a timely manner.
• Assists the Director and/or Associate Director on special projects and evaluating topical areas for the annual audit risk assessment; may represent Audit and Advisory Services on key campus committees.
• Responds to requests for management consultations and advisory services.
• Conducts investigations and assists with evaluation of allegations of improper government acts; recommends whether an allegation is substantiated.
• May independently manage specialized audit programs such as IT systems audits or investigations, including evaluation of general and security controls at the network, operating system, application, and/or data layers.
• Keeps abreast of latest technology developments and leverages automated audit tools and data analytics to deliver insightful audit services.
• Coordinates external agency information requests and site visits; analyzes documentation to identify potential risk areas and facilitates review of external audit reports and findings.

Requirements

• Advanced knowledge of audit profession and function, theories and systems of internal control, and professional auditing standards.
• Broad and thorough knowledge of finance, accounting, business, and systems operations.
• Skills to determine and apply appropriate policies and practices in the completion of audit assignments.
• Professional judgment to select audit methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria.
• Ability to research, synthesize, and analyze complex issues and technical topics with little or no campus precedent.
• Ability to identify, verify, and develop findings and recommendations related to audit results, and present them clearly and concisely for senior management.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to work independently with all levels of University personnel, including management and faculty.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment as well as independently.
• Experience with commonly used industry and internal control frameworks such as COSO and/or COBIT.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Specialized expertise in auditing enterprise software, relational databases, and other IT topics.
• Advanced degree in a related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
• Related professional certification (CIA, CISA, CPA, CISSP, GIAC, or equivalent).

Pay

The budgeted annual salary range for this position is $115,000.00 - $140,000.00. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

Schedule

This is a full-time (40 hours/week), career position that is eligible for UC Benefits. This is an exempt, monthly-paid position.

First review date for this job is September 3, 2026.