Full Job Description
Neo Financial is looking for a Director, Audit and Controls to own and lead our audit and internal controls function. We're looking for someone who can navigate through a fast-paced environment and knows how to switch gears to adapt to any scenario. We strive to make things better, simpler and stronger. Make your mark by shaping the audit strategy at one of Canada's fastest-growing fintechs, alongside some of Canada's most successful leaders and tech minds.
What you'll be doing:
- Strategic Leadership: Own and drive the long-term strategy for the audit and controls function, which encompasses internal controls and compliance, and audit support. Set the vision, goals, and priorities that align with Neo's business objectives and overall risk management framework.
- Controls Design & Oversight: Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of internal controls across business units to build and maintain a strong, scalable control environment. Leverage automation and AI to streamline testing burden and integrate efficiencies into all audit requirements. Oversee regular testing against key compliance frameworks (e.g., PIPEDA, FCAC, PCMLTFA) to ensure Neo meets all regulatory requirements.
- External Audit Ownership: Serve as the senior point of accountability for all external audit relationships. Oversee the planning and execution of external audits including SOC 1, SOC 2, and PCI DSS - ensuring readiness, quality, and timely delivery.
- Risk Assessment: Direct comprehensive assessments of business processes to identify control gaps and compliance risks. Lead the development of remediation plans and ensure findings are resolved effectively and durably.
- Cross-Functional Partnership: Partner with product, engineering, legal, finance and business ops teams to embed automated controls into products and internal tools. Champion a cultural commitment to controls and compliance throughout the organization.
- Stakeholder Reporting: Prepare and present comprehensive reports on control findings, risk exposures, audit outcomes, and program maturity to senior leadership and relevant governance bodies.
- Team Leadership & Development: Build, lead, and develop a high-performing audit and controls team. Set goals, provide mentorship, conduct performance reviews, and create an environment where people grow and do their best work.
Who we're looking for:
- You bring 10+ years of progressive experience in internal controls, internal audit or external audit. Public accounting experience and expertise with financial services and fintechs are strong assets.
- You are just as comfortable with financial controls as technical controls, and have significant experience working with technical business units.
- You have a proven track record owning and leading audit and internal control functions - not just executing them - and can operate at both strategic and hands-on levels as the business requires.
- You have substantial experience managing external audit relationships and leading complex audits including SOC 1, SOC 2, and PCI DSS.
- You are a strong people leader who can build, motivate, and develop a team while maintaining high standards and a clear sense of direction.
- You build trust and credibility quickly - with internal stakeholders, external auditors, and regulators - through excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
- You have a working knowledge of IT and financial controls frameworks (e.g., COSO, COBIT, NIST, SOC 1/2, PCI DSS) and can apply them pragmatically in a fast-moving environment.
- You hold a CPA, CISA, or CIA designation (required). PCIP/ISA qualification is an asset.
- You are pragmatic and solutions-oriented - you find approaches that strike the right balance of risk, cost, and practicality, and you integrate them into existing ways of working.