Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Manager – Audit

🎯 Role Definition

The Manager – Audit is a pivotal leadership role within our assurance and risk management framework. This position is responsible for overseeing and executing the full lifecycle of internal audits, ensuring the integrity of our financial reporting, the effectiveness of our operational controls, and our compliance with laws and regulations. The Manager guides a team of audit professionals, serving as a key partner to business leaders and a trusted advisor to the Audit Committee. This role is instrumental in identifying and mitigating risks, driving process improvements, and fostering a strong control environment that supports the company's strategic goals.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Senior Auditor (Internal or External)
Audit Supervisor
Senior Financial Analyst (with a strong controls background)

Advancement To:

Senior Manager – Audit
Director of Internal Audit
Head of Audit / Chief Audit Executive

Lateral Moves:

Manager – Risk Management
Manager – Compliance
Finance Controller

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Lead and manage the full lifecycle of financial, operational, and compliance audit engagements, from planning and scoping through to execution, reporting, and follow-up.
Develop and execute a comprehensive, risk-based annual internal audit plan in alignment with the organization's strategic objectives and emerging risks.
Supervise, train, and mentor a team of senior and staff auditors, providing day-to-day guidance, performance feedback, and career development support.
Review and approve audit programs, risk control matrices (RCMs), and testing strategies to ensure appropriate coverage and efficiency.
Critically evaluate the design and operating effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting (ICFR), ensuring compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) requirements.
Prepare and review high-quality, detailed audit reports and workpapers that clearly articulate findings, risks, and practical, value-added recommendations.
Present audit findings, risk implications, and recommendations to senior management, business process owners, and the Audit Committee in a clear and concise manner.
Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with key stakeholders across the business to foster a culture of control consciousness and partnership.
Manage the follow-up process for audit recommendations to ensure timely and effective remediation by management.
Identify opportunities for process improvements, cost savings, and operational efficiencies through audit activities and data analysis.
Coordinate audit efforts with the company's external auditors to ensure efficiency and avoid duplication of work.
Lead or participate in special projects, fraud investigations, and management-requested reviews as they arise.
Stay abreast of evolving industry trends, regulatory changes, and best practices in internal auditing and risk management.
Utilize data analytics tools and techniques to enhance audit effectiveness, identify anomalies, and provide deeper insights into business processes.
Oversee audit engagement budgets, ensuring projects are completed on time and within scope while delivering high-quality results.
Facilitate the annual enterprise risk assessment process, collaborating with business leaders to identify and prioritize key organizational risks.
Evaluate the company's compliance with established laws, regulations, and internal policies and procedures.
Develop and deliver training to the audit team and the broader business on topics related to internal controls, risk, and compliance.
Champion the adoption of new audit technologies and methodologies to continuously improve the function's capabilities and efficiency.
Assist the Director or Head of Internal Audit in departmental administration, strategic planning, and preparing materials for the Audit Committee.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc investigations and special projects as requested by the Audit Committee or senior leadership.
Contribute to the continuous improvement of the Internal Audit department's methodologies, tools, and practices.
Act as a subject matter expert on internal controls and risk management for major company projects and initiatives.
Participate in firm-wide initiatives and cross-functional teams to provide a controls and risk perspective.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

In-depth knowledge of U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and/or International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
Expertise in the COSO Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013).
Comprehensive understanding of Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Sections 302 and 404 requirements and testing methodologies.
Proficiency with audit management software (e.g., TeamMate, AuditBoard, Workiva).
Advanced skills in data analytics and visualization tools (e.g., ACL, IDEA, Tableau, Power BI).
Strong experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, such as SAP, Oracle, or NetSuite.
Demonstrated ability to perform complex risk assessments and develop risk-based audit plans.
Knowledge of IT General Controls (ITGCs) and their impact on business processes.
Deep familiarity with the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing from the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA).
Experience in fraud investigation techniques and forensic accounting principles.

Soft Skills

Leadership & Team Management: Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop a team of audit professionals, fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture.
Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex issues clearly to diverse audiences, including executive leadership.
Stakeholder Management: Adept at building and maintaining positive, professional relationships with business partners and senior management to drive change effectively.
Critical Thinking & Professional Skepticism: A strong analytical mindset with the ability to question assumptions, challenge the status quo, and identify root causes of control deficiencies.
Project Management: Excellent organizational and time management skills, capable of managing multiple complex audit projects simultaneously from inception to completion.
Negotiation & Influence: Skillful in negotiating audit findings and influencing management to implement effective and timely corrective actions.
Integrity & Objectivity: Unwavering commitment to ethical conduct and maintaining the independence and objectivity required of the audit profession.
Problem-Solving: Strong aptitude for identifying complex problems, evaluating options, and developing practical, value-added solutions for the business.
Business Acumen: A solid understanding of business operations, processes, and strategic objectives to provide relevant and insightful audit recommendations.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and adapt to changing organizational priorities, risks, and technologies.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university.

Preferred Education:

Master’s Degree (e.g., MBA, Master's in Accounting).
Professional certification such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) is strongly preferred, and often required. Other relevant certifications (CISA, CFE) are a plus.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Accounting
Finance
Business Administration

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

5-8 years of progressive experience in internal or external audit, with at least 2 years in a supervisory or leadership capacity.

Preferred:

Experience in a "Big 4" or large national public accounting firm is highly desirable.
A demonstrated track record of leading complex financial and operational audits in an organization of similar size and complexity.
Hands-on experience with SOX 404 implementation, testing, and remediation.