Senior Internal Auditor

About the role

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) 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. This role leads complex audits, advisory engagements, risk assessments, and data-driven reviews aligned with Global Internal Audit Standards and COSO frameworks. You will work closely with senior leadership, managers, and stakeholders to identify risks, evaluate processes, and recommend practical solutions that enhance accountability, transparency, and performance.

Responsibilities

• 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, 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, 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, including practical, risk-informed recommendations.
• Monitors 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.
• Performs rigorous data quality checks to ensure the accuracy, consistency, and reliability of data used in risk assurance and advisory activities.
• 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.
• Leverages risk and performance data to evaluate progress toward strategic goals, preparing internal reports that promote transparency, accountability, and informed decision-making.
• Ensures internal audit activities align with the Global Internal Audit Standards™, internal policies, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• 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 and reliability of audit insights.
• 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.
• Compiles and visualizes data to support benchmarking, trend analysis, and audit/advisory reporting, delivering actionable insights through clear and compelling presentations.
• Stays current with industry best practices, audit techniques, and regulatory developments through training, seminars, and professional memberships.
• Mentors junior auditors and analysts, contributing to knowledge sharing and continuous improvement within the department.
• Performs additional audit-related responsibilities as assigned, including leading or contributing to special projects and strategic initiatives.
• Promotes a culture of safety and accountability by adhering to WMATA’s safety policies and procedures.

Requirements

• Intermediate to advanced knowledge of the Global Internal Audit Standards™ and 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.
• Knowledge of audit methodologies such as risk-based auditing, control evaluation, and data analytics, including the application of statistical and analytical principles.
• Familiarity with business operations across multiple functions and the ability to assess systemic risks, control environments, and strategic planning processes.
• 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.
• Familiarity with design and publishing tools including Adobe Illustrator and InDesign for creating professional reports and visualizations.

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.
• Skilled in presenting findings and recommendations clearly to senior leadership and cross-functional teams, with effective verbal and written communication.
• Demonstrated ability to apply logic, reasoning, and statistical analysis to assess system performance and prepare data-driven reports and visualizations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Information Systems, Computer Science, or other related fields.
• Minimum five (5) years of experience in internal audit, public accounting, contract reviews, financial management, digital forensics, analytical problem solving, or other related fields.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), or Certification in Risk Management Assurance (CRMA).
• Exposure to transit industry business and operating practices.