Senior Compliance Testing Analyst - Issue Validation (Remote)

Overview:

The Senior Compliance Testing Analyst – Issue Validation Role is responsible leading and executing compliance issue validations utilizing a risk-based approach in line with department standards to ensure the Bank’s compliance with applicable laws, rules & regulations. They will work with first and second line risk partners to ensure validation closing packages align with program expectations and perform independent testing to ensure the identified risks have been appropriately mitigated.  The role will primarily support the Bank’s lending portfolios including Mortgage, Consumer, Commercial and Business Bank, but may occasionally support other portfolios.  The incumbent may also represent the compliance testing team on compliance risk management projects related to issues management, as needed.

Position Responsibilities:

• Interface with all layers of the organization predominantly independently to obtain information related to processes and controls.
• Perform compliance testing in accordance with department and professional standards.
• Specific compliance testing responsibilities include the planning and execution of control and substantive testing, assistance in the review of testing, and evaluating results to determine if control weaknesses or testing exceptions exist.
• Organize and complete work within established timeframes predominantly independently, periodically providing updates of completion status to management.
• Draft validation result memo, substantive testing findings and control execution weaknesses under the direction of a Manager.
• Lead collaborative testing team discussions with all levels of management where judgment and opinions are effectively challenged.
• Review validation results and test findings with testing management and other compliance officers to confirm validity of issues; make recommendations to Compliance Testing Manager regarding the appropriate tier rating of identified issues.
• Work with business units and compliance groups to ensure consistent understanding of requirements.
• Responsibilities may also include system administrative duties such as maintenance, validation, and/or updating in the compliance data management system (Archer).
• Review work papers of team members and provide related feedback, coaching, and mentoring.
• Build a working relationship with line-level Internal Audit, Business Units, and Corporate Compliance Portfolio Managers.
• Encourage integrated testing approaches with the data & systems team, and make suggestions on testing approaches to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of testing procedures.
• Serve as knowledge resource for team members.
• Maintain a strong working knowledge of regulatory requirements to perform and ensure an appropriate level of testing.
• Assess business unit process and controls under minimal direction or independently, and provide risk focused input on effectiveness and efficiency of testing approach.
• Independently document and assess all levels of test scripts.
• Participate in special projects and department wide initiatives, as necessary.
• Multitask assignments and meet established deadlines.
• Adhere to applicable compliance/operational risk controls in accordance with Company or regulatory standards and policies.
• Understand and adhere to the Company’s risk and regulatory standards, policies and controls in accordance with the Company’s Risk Appetite.  Identify risk-related findings needing escalation to a Manager.
• Promote an environment that supports diversity and reflects the M&T Bank brand.
• Maintain M&T internal control standards, including timely implementation of internal and external audit points together with any issues raised by external regulators as applicable.
• Complete other related duties as assigned.

Nature and Scope:

The position works under the direction of the Compliance Testing Manager/Advisor and is required to exercise independent judgment and discretion utilizing a risk based approach. 

The position collaborates extensively with (a) Corporate Compliance subject matter deputies to gain an appropriate understanding of applicable regulatory requirements, (b) business unit staff and PCMs to understand work flows and processes, and (c) Internal Audit as a resource for review and coordination of testing plans and methods.

The position may interact with external contacts including Bank Supervisors/Examiners and peers at other institutions.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

May provide training or coaching opportunities for junior analysts.

Education/Experience Required:

• Bachelor’s degree preferably in Accounting, Business, Finance, Mathematics, Statistics or other related field in a business related curriculum and a minimum of 4 years' relevant work experience (Compliance, Audit, Business, Finance, Technology, Computer Science, or Risk Management), OR, in lieu of a degree a combined minimum of 8 years’ higher education and/or work experience including 4 years' relevant work experience.
• Demonstrated coaching experience.
• Ability to read and understand laws, regulations, and common law applicable to subject matter.
• Demonstrated ability to design and create testing scripts and evaluate control environments
• Ability to exercise judgment and sound discretion, and understand when Corporate Compliance Management guidance is needed.
• Ability to thrive in a collaborative, team-oriented environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills, having the ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing to line level management.
• Strong organizational, analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Strong proficiency with personal computers as well as pertinent software packages.
• Ability to work autonomously
• Experience testing/auditing one or more of the following business lines: Mortgage, Consumer and/or Commercial Lending

Education/Experience Preferred:

• Related certifications (CPA, CIA, CISA, CAMS, CRCM or similar certification)
• MBA or Master's Degree in an appropriate field.
• Comprehensive understanding of financial services functions
• Some familiarity with, and the ability to quickly learn, the organizations, operations, systems, and practices of assigned business units within M&T Bank Corporation.

Location