Senior Internal Auditor

Job Summary

The Internal Audit Division of the City of Mississauga is seeking a Senior Internal Auditor to plan, lead and perform complex audit assurance, advisory, and value-for-money (VFM) engagements for the City in accordance with the Internal Audit Charter, accepted professional standards and Corporate Policy and Departmental procedures.  This role will also support the City’s Whistleblower Program by conducting investigations and reporting on findings to the Audit Committee.

The successful candidate will bring strong project management skills, excellent analytical and communication abilities, and specialized knowledge in governance, risk, internal controls, and public sector performance and value-for-money assessment.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the general direction of the Director, Internal Audit, the successful candidate will:

• Foster collaboration and teamwork with management and audit staff;
• Support the mission of the Internal Audit Division as an independent, objective assurance and consulting activity;
• Perform assigned audits and value-for-money reviews in accordance with the Internal Audit Charter, accepted professional standards and Corporate Policy and Departmental Procedures;
• Independently conduct or lead an audit from start to finish including planning, fieldwork, reporting and follow-up on outstanding recommendations;
• Conduct research on the business areas, including applicable by-laws and legislation, divisional/unit-level procedures and processes, business systems, and service delivery models and cost structures;
• Develop a risk-based and value-for-money focused audit program including defining scope, timelines and budget, control and performance evaluation criteria, and audit procedures and tests;
• Evaluate whether programs and operations are achieving their intended objectives and whether resources are being used economically, efficiently and effectively;
• Assess whether expenditures and procurement practices provide reasonable value relative to costs incurred, including comparison to benchmarks, service standards, and best practices where appropriate;
• Conduct fieldwork and testing in accordance with the control evaluation criteria, ensuring quality and consistency with objectives and criteria established, and sufficiency and appropriateness of evidence;
• Analyze financial and operational data to identify cost drivers, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improved service delivery or cost effectiveness;
• Prepare working papers that are effectively organized and adequately support the audit observations and conclusions;
• Draft an action plan and audit report outlining observations related to efficiency, effectiveness and value for money, along with practical recommendations for improvement;
• Provide oral/written presentations to all levels of management and the Audit Committee on observations, conclusions and recommendations, in a manner that appropriately addresses the information needs of the intended recipients;
• Provide consulting services to management on issues related to risk assessment, internal controls, operational efficiency and program effectiveness, including review of system developments, business processes and operations, and new or amended corporate and departmental policies;
• Support the City’s Whistleblower Program by conducting investigations and reporting on findings to the Audit Committee;
• Participate in corporate risk assessment;
• Provide input to current and future risk-based and value-for-money audit work plans;
• Supervise and review work of Internal Auditors, where assigned;
• Undertake other duties as may be assigned.

Skills and Qualifications

• A recognized University degree and/or a professional accounting/auditing designation such as CPA, CA, CMA, CGA, CIA, CISA or CFE is required.
• Minimum of 5 years practical experience in complex audit, value-for-money review, program evaluation or business process analysis assignments, preferably in an internal audit capacity.
• Experience assessing economy, efficiency, and effectiveness of operations, ideally within a public sector environment.
• Experience with conducting investigations.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered.
• In-depth knowledge of auditing principles, practice and standards.
• Strong project management, analytical, critical thinking and problem solving skills.
• Ability to analyze financial and operational data and evaluate cost effectiveness and service performance.
• Ability to work with all levels of the Corporation including staff, management, Leadership Team and Council.
• Ability to plan and carry out assignments with minimal supervision is essential.
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, presentation and communication (written and verbal) skills.
• Public sector or performance/value-for-money audit experience is preferred.
• Proficient in MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio).