Internal Audit Senior - Financial Services

WHO WE ARE

Elliott Davis pairs forward-thinking tax, assurance and consulting services with industry-leading workplace culture. Our nine offices — located in the fastest growing cities in the US — are built on a foundation of inclusivity, collaboration, and collective growth. We work daily to provide exceptional service to our people, customers, and our communities. Audit and assurance services are provided by Elliott Davis, LLC (doing business in NC and D.C. as Elliott Davis, PLLC), a licensed CPA firm.

Position Overview

We are seeking a Senior Associate – Risk Advisory to join our Financial Services Group (FSG). Our team serves a diverse portfolio of financial institutions and provides independent, risk-based assurance and advisory services across a wide range of banking operations. In this role, you will take on increased responsibility in leading internal audit engagements, supervising staff, and ensuring the timely delivery of high-quality advisory services to financial institutions.

The Senior Associate role is designed for professionals who have developed a foundation in audit or banking operations and are ready to contribute to engagement execution, client management, and team development. You will play a key role in maintaining engagement quality standards while mentoring junior staff and supporting efficient project delivery.

Responsibilities

As a Senior Associate, you will lead portions of engagements and provide oversight to associates while continuing to perform hands-on audit work. Responsibilities include but are not necessarily limited to:

• Execute and lead internal audit engagements across key banking functions, including:
  • Loan operations and credit administration
  • Deposit operations
  • ACH and electronic payments
  • Wire transfers
  • Branch operations
  • Accounting and financial reporting
  • Human resources and payroll
  • Enterprise Risk Management (ERM)
  • Model Risk Management (MRM)
  • Investment and treasury operations
• Plan and coordinate audit testing activities, including walkthroughs, control testing, and substantive procedures.
• Evaluate the design and operating effectiveness of internal controls and identify risks, control deficiencies, and process improvement opportunities.
• Review associate workpapers, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and adherence to firm audit methodology and quality standards.
• Ensure engagements are completed on schedule and within scope by actively monitoring project timelines, deliverables, and resource needs.
• Provide day-to-day guidance, coaching, and mentoring to Associates, including training on audit procedures, documentation standards, and banking concepts.
• Assist in the development of associates by providing constructive feedback and supporting skill progression.
• Prepare and review audit reports, including observations, root cause analysis, and actionable recommendations.
• Support communication with clients, including leading portions of meetings, discussing audit findings, and responding to inquiries.
• Assist managers and senior leadership in engagement planning, risk assessments, and scoping activities.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of audit processes, methodologies, and internal tools.
• Support multiple concurrent engagements while maintaining high-quality work and attention to detail.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• 3+ years of experience in internal audit, external audit, banking operations, risk management, or related fields.
• Strong understanding of:
  • Internal control frameworks (e.g., COSO)
  • Audit methodologies and risk assessment techniques
  • Banking operations and regulatory expectations

• Demonstrated ability to review work, identify issues, and ensure quality deliverables.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with high attention to detail.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, including ability to convey complex concepts clearly.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
• Ability to travel when required (estimated maximum of 25 nights per year)

Desired Qualifications:

• Prior experience leading or supervising individuals in a banking or professional services environment.
• Familiarity with banking regulations and regulatory expectations (e.g., FDIC, OCC, Federal Reserve).
• Experience reviewing workpapers and ensuring adherence to audit standards (e.g., IIA Standards).
• Progress toward or attainment of a professional certification such as CPA, CIA, or CISA.
• Demonstrated interest in developing leadership and mentoring skills.

Why This Role:

This role provides the opportunity to expand your technical audit expertise while developing leadership and project management skills. You will play a critical role in delivering high-quality audit services, mentoring junior staff, and helping financial institutions strengthen their risk management and control environments.

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WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN US

We believe that when our employees are able to thrive in all facets of life, their work and impact are that much greater.
That's right – all aspects of life, not just your life as an employee, because we understand that there's life beyond your job. Here are some of the ways our work works for your life, your growth, and your well-being: 
•    generous time away and paid firm holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s
•    flexible work schedules
•    16 weeks of paid maternity and adoption leave, 8 weeks of paid parental leave, 4 weeks of paid  and caregiver leave (once eligible) 
•    first-class health and wellness benefits, including wellness coaching and mental health counseling
•    one-on-one professional coaching
•    Leadership and career development programs
•    access to Beyond:  a one-of-a kind program with experiences that help you expand your life, personally and professionally

NOTICE TO 3RD PARTY RECRUITERS
Notice to Recruiters and Agencies regarding unsolicited resumes or candidate submissions without prior express written approval. Resumes submitted or candidates referred to any employee of Elliott Davis by any external recruiter or recruitment agency by any means (including but not limited to via Internet, e-mail, fax, U.S. mail, and/or verbal communications) without a properly executed written contract for a specified position by an authorized member of the Talent Acquisition team become the property of Elliott Davis. Elliott Davis will not be responsible for, or owe any fees associated with, referrals of those candidates and/or for submission of any information, including resumes, associated with individuals.
 

ADA REQUIREMENTS
The physical and cognitive/mental requirements and the work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Requirements
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is:
•    Regularly required to remain in a stationary position; use hands repetitively to operate standard office equipment; and to talk or hear, both in person and by telephone
•    Required to have specific vision abilities which include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus

Cognitive/Mental Requirements
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:
•    Use written and oral communication skills. 
•    Read and interpret data, information, and documents. 
•    Observe and interpret situations. 
•    Work under deadlines with frequent interruptions; and
•    Interact with internal and external customers and others in the course of work.