Posting Details

Position Information

Position/Classification Title
Chief Audit Officer

Working Title
Chief Audit Officer

Position Number
611569

FLSA
Exempt

Appointment Type
Permanent - Full Time

Tenure Track
No

FTE
1 = 40 hours/week, 12 months

If time limited, duration date

Department Hiring Range
The salary is competitive and will be determined based on the candidate's educational background, relevant experience, qualifications, and demonstrated expertise.

EEO-1 Category
Officials & Managers

SOC Code
11-1021 - General and Operations Managers

Position Overview

Primary Function of Organizational Unit

The Office of Internal Audit provides independent, objective assurance and advisory services designed to add value and improve the operations of North Carolina Central University.

Through a systematic and disciplined approach, the Office evaluates and helps improve the effectiveness of the University's:

• Governance processes;
• Enterprise risk management;
• Internal controls;
• Financial and operational processes;
• Information technology and cybersecurity controls;
• Regulatory and policy compliance;
• Research administration and sponsored-program controls;
• Protection and stewardship of institutional assets; and
• Processes for preventing and detecting fraud, waste, abuse, and misconduct.

The Office of Internal Audit serves as an independent institutional resource while supporting University leadership in achieving strategic objectives, improving organizational effectiveness, and ensuring responsible stewardship of public, private, and grant-funded resources.

Primary Purpose of Position

The Chief Audit Officer (CAO) provides strategic and operational leadership for all internal audit activities at North Carolina Central University. The CAO establishes the direction, authority, credibility, and effectiveness of the internal audit function and ensures that audit activities are conducted in accordance with applicable professional standards, University policies, University of North Carolina System requirements, and state and federal laws and regulations.

The Chief Audit Officer develops and executes a comprehensive, risk-based audit strategy informed by institutional priorities, enterprise-wide risk assessments, emerging risks, regulatory requirements, prior audit findings, and consultation with University leadership and the Board of Trustees.

The CAO is responsible for ensuring that the Office of Internal Audit operates as both an independent assurance function and a value-added institutional partner that provides meaningful insight into opportunities for improved governance, risk management, internal controls, operational efficiency, and institutional performance.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The successful candidate should possess demonstrated knowledge of:

• Internal auditing standards and professional practices, including those established by the Institute of Internal Auditors.
• Enterprise risk management, internal controls, governance, and compliance principles.
• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and financial statement analysis.
• Public-sector accounting and financial-management practices.
• Federal and state laws and regulations affecting institutions of higher education.
• Higher-education governance, administration, financial management, research compliance, grants management, auxiliary operations, and affiliated entities.
• Information technology controls, cybersecurity risk, data governance, and technology-related audit practices.
• Fraud risk assessment, investigations, and prevention.
• Audit quality-assurance and improvement practices.
• The organizational and governance structure of public institutions and the University of North Carolina System.

Minimum Education/Experience

• Bachelor's degree from an appropriately accredited institution in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, Information Systems, or another closely related field.
• A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in internal audit, external audit, risk management, compliance, financial management, investigations, or a closely related field, with substantial direct experience in audit.
• At least three years of supervisory, management, or significant audit-leadership experience.
• Demonstrated experience developing or executing risk-based audit plans.
• Demonstrated knowledge of internal controls, risk assessment, audit methodologies, and professional auditing standards.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with executive leadership and governing or oversight bodies.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Information Systems, or a related field.
• Current professional certification such as:

1. Certified Internal Auditor (CIA);
2. Certified Public Accountant (CPA);
3. Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA);
4. Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE); or
5. Another nationally recognized audit, accounting, risk, or compliance credential.

• Significant professional experience in higher education.
• Experience within a large, complex public-sector organization.
• Experience working within the University of North Carolina System or another public university system.
• Experience supervising a comprehensive institutional internal audit function.
• Experience conducting or overseeing information technology and cybersecurity audits.
• Experience auditing research, sponsored programs, grants, auxiliary enterprises, athletics, capital projects, or affiliated entities.
• Experience conducting complex fraud, waste, abuse, or misconduct investigations.
• Experience interacting directly with governing boards, audit committees, executive leadership, and external oversight agencies.
• Experience developing and maintaining an Internal Audit Quality Assurance and Improvement Program.
• Demonstrated experience with data analytics, continuous auditing, audit-management platforms, and emerging audit technologies.

Licenses or Certification required by Statute or Regulation

N/A

Pre-Employment Requirement

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• You must complete and submit an electronic application for employment to be considered. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing an electronic application.
• Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD 214 form or those seeking National Guard Preference must attach as NG23A form. Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty with your application during the process of applying to the job posting.
• Final candidates are subject to criminal background checks, and education/license verification prior to employment.

Work Location
Fully On-site (dedicated office at Duty Station)

Primary Responsibilities and Duties

Function
Executive Leadership and Independence of the Internal Audit Function

Describe the specific tasks and responsibilities related to the function.

The Chief Audit Officer (CAO) establishes and maintains the organizational independence, professional authority, and credibility of the Office of Internal Audit.

The CAO will:

• Provide executive leadership and strategic direction for the University's internal audit function.
• Maintain the independence and objectivity necessary to conduct audits, investigations, reviews, and advisory engagements without inappropriate influence or interference.
• Maintain direct and unrestricted communication with the Chancellor and the Board of Trustees through its designated audit committee.
• Develop, maintain, and periodically reassess the University's Internal Audit Charter and present it to the Chancellor and appropriate Board committee for review and affirmation.
• Develop and maintain appropriate internal audit policies, operating procedures, methodologies, standards, and protocols.
• Ensure that audit activities conform to applicable professional standards, including standards promulgated by the Institute of Internal Auditors and other requirements applicable to public institutions of higher education.
• Inform the Chancellor and appropriate Board committee of circumstances that may impair, or appear to impair, the independence or objectivity of the internal audit function.
• Protect the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive institutional information obtained through audit and investigative activities.

Function
Enterprise Risk Assessment and Annual Audit Planning

Describe the specific tasks and responsibilities related to the function.

The Chief Audit Officer leads the University's internal audit risk assessment and planning processes.

The CAO will:

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive understanding of the University's strategic, financial, operational, regulatory, technological, reputational, research, and compliance risks.
• Conduct periodic enterprise-wide audit risk assessments that incorporate institutional data, prior audit activity, management input, emerging risk trends, regulatory requirements, and strategic priorities.
• Develop a comprehensive, risk-based annual and multiyear internal audit plan.
• Present the annual audit plan and significant subsequent modifications to the Chancellor and appropriate Board committee for review and approval.
• Ensure that audit resources are strategically allocated to areas presenting significant institutional risk or opportunities for improved performance.
• Continuously assess emerging risks and adjust audit priorities when institutional circumstances warrant.
• Coordinate audit planning, as appropriate, with Enterprise Risk Management, Compliance, Legal Affairs, Information Technology, Finance and Administration, Research and Sponsored Programs, Human Resources, and other University functions while maintaining Internal Audit's independence.

Function
Audit Execution and Oversight

Describe the specific tasks and responsibilities related to the function.

The Chief Audit Officer directs and oversees internal audits and reviews across the University.

Audit activity may include financial, operational, compliance, information technology, cybersecurity, research, administrative, academic, auxiliary, construction, procurement, affiliated-entity, and other institutional functions.

The CAO will:

• Approve audit objectives, scopes, methodologies, work programs, testing procedures, findings, recommendations, and final reports.
• Ensure that audit work is performed objectively, efficiently, thoroughly, and consistently with applicable professional standards.
• Evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls.
• Assess the reliability and integrity of financial and operational information.
• Evaluate