The IT Audit Senior Associate is responsible for executing and leading key components of IT audit, technology risk, and assurance engagements. This role works with clients and engagement teams to understand technology environments, identify and assess technology risks, evaluate the design and operating effectiveness of controls, and communicate findings and recommendations.
The Senior Associate will have hands-on responsibility for engagement planning and execution, including walkthroughs, IT general controls (ITGCs), automated and application controls, key reports, SOC reports, and other technology-dependent controls. The role also supports the development of Associates through coaching and review while maintaining effective communication with client stakeholders and engagement leadership.
Key ResponsibilitiesIT Audit, Risk & Controls- Participate in the planning and execution of IT audit, technology risk, and assurance engagements, including IT General Controls (ITGCs), internal IT audits, SOX 404 support, SOC 1 and SOC 2 engagements, and other technology risk assessments.
- Develop an understanding of clients' business processes, technology environments, systems, infrastructure, and relevant technology risks and controls.
- Facilitate process and control walkthroughs with client stakeholders to understand, evaluate, and document technology processes and control environments.
- Identify technology risks and the controls designed to mitigate those risks, considering their impact on business processes and the financial reporting control environment, as applicable.
- Design and execute procedures to evaluate the design, implementation, and operating effectiveness of technology controls.
- Test ITGCs across enterprise applications, infrastructure, and cloud environments, including relevant logical access, change management, and IT operations controls.
- Evaluate automated controls, application controls, key reports, interfaces, and other IT-dependent controls supporting business processes and audit objectives.
- Review and assess SOC 1 and SOC 2 reports for third-party service providers, including relevant control objectives, complementary user entity controls, exceptions, and their impact on the client's control environment.
- Support technology advisory and risk engagements associated with system implementations, technology initiatives, and significant process or system changes.
- Analyze audit evidence, identify control deficiencies and process improvement opportunities, and assess the potential impact of identified issues.
- Develop practical recommendations to strengthen controls, mitigate risks, improve processes, and enhance operational efficiency.
- Assist in developing remediation action plans, monitoring remediation efforts, and validating the resolution of identified control deficiencies.
Engagement Execution & Documentation- Prepare clear, accurate, and well-supported audit workpapers in accordance with applicable methodology, professional standards, and engagement requirements.
- Review client documentation and audit evidence for accuracy, completeness, and relevance, ensuring conclusions are appropriately supported.
- Apply professional skepticism and sound judgment when evaluating evidence, control effectiveness, deficiencies, and audit conclusions.
- Identify complex or unusual issues and elevate them to engagement leadership in a timely manner, working collaboratively with team members, clients, and technical resources to resolve issues.
- Apply relevant AICPA, PCAOB, and other applicable professional standards and guidance based on the nature and scope of the engagement.
- Prepare and communicate the results of audit procedures, observations, control deficiencies, and recommendations to client stakeholders and engagement leadership.
- Manage assigned engagement responsibilities to established schedules, budgets, milestones, and quality expectations.
Client & Team Responsibilities- Develop and maintain effective working relationships with client personnel and management.
- Serve as a key day-to-day client contact during engagement execution, coordinating requests, walkthroughs, testing, issue resolution, and status updates.
- Communicate engagement progress, emerging risks, issues, and findings to Managers, Senior Managers, Directors, and other engagement leaders in a timely manner.
- Coordinate and oversee assigned work performed by Associates, reviewing workpapers and providing timely, constructive feedback.
- Coach and support Associates through on-the-job learning and the development of technical, audit, documentation, and client-service skills.
- Promote a collaborative team environment by supporting team members and consistently delivering on commitments to clients and colleagues.
QualificationsEducationRequired:- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Accounting Information Systems, Information Systems, Information Technology, Computer Science, Finance, or a related field.
Preferred:- Master's degree in Information Systems, Accounting, Cybersecurity, or another relevant discipline.
ExperienceRequired:- Minimum of 2 to 3 years of professional experience in IT audit, technology risk, IT assurance, internal audit, public accounting, management consulting, or a related risk and controls discipline.
- Experience evaluating and testing IT General Controls, including controls over logical access, change management, and IT operations.
- Experience conducting process and control walkthroughs and evaluating the design, implementation, and operating effectiveness of controls.
- Experience preparing audit workpapers and documenting testing procedures, evidence, findings, and conclusions.
- Working knowledge of internal audit and technology risk principles, methodologies, and professional standards.
- Strong analytical, project management, written communication, and interpersonal skills.
Preferred:- Experience in a public accounting or professional services environment.
- Experience supporting SOX 404 compliance engagements, including testing technology controls that support financial reporting.
- Experience testing automated controls, application controls, key reports, interfaces, and other IT-dependent controls.
- Experience evaluating technology controls across enterprise applications, infrastructure, and cloud environments.
- Experience reviewing and evaluating SOC 1 and SOC 2 reports and related third-party technology risks.
- Experience supporting or evaluating system implementations and significant technology or business-process changes.
- Familiarity with AICPA and PCAOB auditing standards, as applicable to assigned engagements.
- Experience providing direction, review, or coaching to junior team members.
Preferred CertificationsOne or more relevant professional certifications are preferred, including:
- Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
- Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
- Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
- Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
- Certified in Cybersecurity (CC)
- ISO 27001 Lead Auditor or Lead Implementer
- Other relevant technology, cybersecurity, audit, or risk certifications
Core CompetenciesSuccessful Senior Associates will demonstrate:
- Strong understanding of technology risk, internal controls, and IT audit concepts.
- Ability to understand complex technology environments and translate technical risks into clear business implications.
- Sound professional judgment and an appropriate level of professional skepticism.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet engagement deadlines.
- Clear and professional written and verbal communication.
- Confidence interacting with client personnel and management.
- Ability to identify issues, develop practical recommendations, and communicate findings effectively.
- Attention to detail and commitment to high-quality audit documentation.
- Ability to coach junior professionals and provide constructive feedback.
- Commitment to continuous learning as technologies, risks, regulations, and professional standards evolve.
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