Compliance Testing Advisor –Commercial/Business Bank (Remote)

Overview:

The Compliance Testing Advisor is responsible for leading and executing complex compliance testing engagements utilizing a risk-based approach to ensure the Bank’s compliance with applicable laws, rules & regulations aligned to M&T’s Commercial, Business and Private Bank portfolios.  They communicate test progress and findings to Bank Management and oversee and provide coaching to Compliance Testing Analysts to deliver a quality product in line with department standards. They are also responsible for executing complex compliance and MRA remediation plan validations.  This role supports continued enhancements to testing methodology, ongoing stakeholder engagement, and overall promotion of the Compliance Testing Group within the organization.

Position Responsibilities:

• Interface with all layers of the organization 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.
• Oversee planning and execution of testing, including multiple simultaneous testing engagements across a defined testing portfolio.
• Organize and complete work within established timeframes predominantly independently, periodically providing updates of completion status to management.
• Draft and communicate substantive testing findings and control execution weaknesses to all levels of compliance and business unit management under the direction of a Manager.
• Lead collaborative testing team discussions with all levels of management where judgment and opinions are effectively challenged.
• Review test findings with testing management and other compliance officers to confirm validity of issues; make recommendations to Senior Compliance Testing Manager regarding the appropriate tier rating of identified issues.
• Work with business units and compliance groups to ensure consistent understanding of requirements.
• Assess business unit process and controls independently, and provide risk focused input on effectiveness and efficiency of testing approach.
• 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 all team members and provide related feedback, coaching, and mentoring.
• Build a working relationship with mid-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 all staff.
• Maintain a comprehensive working knowledge of regulatory requirements to ensure an appropriate level of testing.
• Provide feedback to team members regarding assessments of business unit process and controls and respective 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.
• 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 with a high degree of autonomy 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 (PCMs) 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 will interact with external contacts including Bank Supervisors/Examiners and peers at other institutions.    

Education/Experience Required:

• Bachelor's Degree preferably in Accounting, Business, Finance, Mathematics, Statistics or other related field
• 6 years’ experience in compliance, legal, audit, risk or other relevant function,
• OR in lieu of degree,
• A combined minimum 10 years higher education and/or work experience, including 6 years in compliance, legal, audit, risk or other relevant function
• Possess regulatory subject matter expertise related to aspects of the assigned portfolio.
• Strong leadership skills and demonstrated ability to coach and develop others.
• Effective negotiation and influencing skills, a proactive and 'no surprises' approach in communicating issues and strength in sustaining independent views.
• Ability to read and understand laws, regulations, and common law applicable to subject matter.
• Ability to exercise judgment and sound discretion, and understand when Corporate Compliance Management guidance is needed.
• Strong, comprehensive understanding of financial services functions.
• Ability to thrive in a collaborative, team-oriented environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills, having the ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing to mid-level management.
• Strong organizational, analytical skills and critical thinking skills.
• Possess regulatory subject matter expertise related to aspects of the portfolio.
• Strong proficiency with spreadsheet, presentation, and word processing software.
• Demonstrated ability to design and create testing scripts and evaluate control environments
• Possess general knowledge of testing techniques, processes and methodology

Education/Experience Preferred:

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

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