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Acadia Insurance (a Berkley Company) · 3 months ago

Finance Audit Leader

US-GA-Atlanta

Full-time

Onsite

Senior Level, Lead/Staff

10+ years exp

Acadia Insurance, part of W. R. Berkley Corporation, is one of the largest commercial lines property and casualty insurers in the United States. They are seeking a Finance Audit Leader to perform and lead risk-focused audit fieldwork while collaborating closely with Business Units and Corporate Finance to identify risks and ensure compliance with policies and regulations.

Commercial InsuranceInsurance

Responsibilities

Lead and/or perform financial and operational examinations, partnering with operational and IT audit teams to assess adequate management controls, efficiency, and compliance with policies, regulations, and accounting principles using sound, independent judgment

Demonstrate leadership through engagement, reflective listening, collaboration, sound judgment, personal development and fostering a spirit of continual improvement

Provide guidance and training to less experienced members of the Finance audit team, through effective communication and demonstration. Review work papers prepared by others, ensuring proper support for audit conclusions

Develop a risk-based approach for each financial audit during the pre-audit planning process. Appropriately analyze control environment and develop effective audit steps to test controls where necessary in line with internal audit methodology

Identify, document, and assess business processes and controls to evaluate risks and controls. Conduct walkthroughs to gain an understanding of the financials and/or operational process(es) being audited

Understand the audits steps being performed by the Operational and/or IT teams and complete a gap analysis of all key processes to ensure the completeness of the audit scope

Document all testing in accordance with best practices and the department’s standards, including drafting of a planning memo, complete and accurate workpapers and draft audit findings

Develop and apply alternative audit procedures beyond those contained in standard Audit Program Guides, where applicable. Periodically update existing Audit Program Guides and/or develop new ones. Design testing plans/methodologies for areas not previously reviewed

Lead meetings with the Business Unit management to provide audit status updates and/or communicate audit findings and recommendations

Work independently and in a team environment to maximize performance

Follow up periodically with the Business Units regarding the action plan progress taken by the Business Units until issue remediation

Learn new businesses, processes and regulations and apply new knowledge to audit work performed. Must be able to quickly assimilate new information to analyze the risks and controls effectively

Build positive working relationships with all auditees, particularly with Senior Management

Communicate well with clients and Audit team members

Staff at this level will be expected to own sections of the audit program and bring them to completion with minimal supervision

Analyze data from Business Units to identify and interpret trends and patterns to provide meaningful insights in the audit process

Collaborate with internal audit team members to find opportunities to use audit analytics in Internal Audits

Participate in special projects as assigned by management

Engage in relevant training regarding audit, businesses, financial controls, regulations, or a particular specialty

Maintain audit proficiency through self-study, training, and professional association memberships

Qualification

Audit experiencePropertyCasualty insuranceInternal controls knowledgeFinancial reportingData analysis softwareMicrosoft Office ExcelProfessional certificationCommunication skillsProblem-solving skillsProject managementAttention to detailTeam collaboration

Required

A minimum 10 years of total professional experience including a minimum of 7 years auditing experience (public and/or internal)

Minimum 5 years' experience in the Property and Casualty insurance industry or equivalent relevant training or experience

Experience in a financial reporting or similar role is a plus

Some relevant/recent experience in audit analytics and/or continuous audit monitoring programs a plus

Demonstrated ability to analyze and problem solve with the ability to prioritize and multitask

Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, proven ability to communicate with all levels of an organization

A high level of accuracy and attention to detail

Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office Excel and Word is a must; knowledge of PeopleSoft, Hyperion Smart View is a plus

Strong work ethic, ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines

Strong business acumen and risk awareness

Strong analytical, organizational, project management and communications skills (written and oral)

Strong knowledge of internal controls over financial reporting (COSO, Sarbanes-Oxley, and Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) Professional Practices Framework)

Strong knowledge of property and casualty insurance industry, GAAP and Statutory accounting principles as well as claims and underwriting operations

Should be able to think creatively as well as take direction

Self-starter, able to work independently with minimal supervision, and demonstrate accountability for results

Need to display flexible and adaptive problem-solving skills due to the variety of operational and technological infrastructures within the Company

A willingness to roll up sleeves and get the work done versus delegating

Ability to work in an environment with minimal administrative support

Requires a bachelor's degree in accounting, business administration or finance

Professional certification (CPA, CIA or equivalent) strongly preferred