ASSOCIATE AUDITOR JOB DESCRIPTION

An Associate Auditor examines internal controls so a financial institution can trust its own numbers. The role belongs inside an internal audit function - typically reporting to an Audit Manager - and covers banking operations, payments processes, and regulatory compliance areas that community banks, credit unions, and digital banking units must keep well-controlled. Every walkthrough documented and every control weakness surfaced here feeds directly into the conclusions senior auditors and regulators ultimately rely on. Scope is real from day one.

As the Associate Auditor, you evaluate the design and operational effectiveness of internal controls across banking operations, payments, and compliance domains, producing findings that inform audit conclusions and management recommendations. The position sits within a dedicated internal audit team, works under the supervision of an Audit Manager, and engages regularly with business-unit stakeholders to gather evidence and communicate results.

Career Impact: Exposure to regulatory compliance frameworks governing community banks and credit unions - combined with eligibility to pursue CIA or CPA certification - establishes a recognized audit credential set that financial services employers specifically seek at the next career level.

Business Impact: The walkthroughs, control tests, and findings this role produces determine whether control weaknesses in banking operations or payments processes are caught before a regulator or external auditor does, directly protecting the institution's standing.

Growth Opportunity: Associates who master risk-based audit methodology and data analytics in a financial institution context are well-positioned to advance to Senior Auditor or Audit Manager roles, where they own engagement planning and staff supervision.

• Execute control test steps across banking operations and payments processes, documenting results concisely for supervisory review.
• Conduct walkthroughs and process flow documentation to identify key risks and associated controls within assigned business units.
• Participate in audit engagements from planning through reporting, delivering work products that meet internal methodology and professional standards.
• Monitor assigned areas continuously, tracking key metrics to identify emerging control issues and adverse trends between scheduled audits.
• Communicate audit findings to management and prepare written reports that include observations, root-cause analysis, and actionable recommendations.
• Partner with colleagues and business-unit stakeholders to evaluate the adequacy of management controls and follow up on prior audit recommendations.
• Support engagement planning activities including client interviews, risk matrix preparation, and scheduling coordination.

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or equivalent work experience.
• 1 or more years of internal auditing, public accounting, or controls-related experience, with exposure to financial institution environments.
• Understanding of internal control concepts and ability to assess control adequacy considering both business and regulatory risk.
• Knowledge of internal audit methodology including risk assessment, engagement planning, test design, and documentation standards.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple assignments under time constraints.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear audit reports and present findings to management.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and within a team, maintaining professionalism and sound judgment throughout engagements.

• Active pursuit of or eligibility for CIA, CPA, CISA, or CFE professional certification.
• Prior experience serving community bank or credit union clients in an audit or advisory capacity.
• Familiarity with data analytics techniques applied to audit evidence, including querying and summarizing large transactional datasets.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish, supporting client engagement in diverse financial institution markets.

• Percentage of assigned control test steps completed on schedule within each engagement, reflecting planning adherence.
• Ratio of findings requiring supervisory rework to total findings submitted, measuring documentation accuracy.
• Number of control weaknesses identified per engagement cycle, indicating thoroughness of test execution.
• Timeliness of follow-up on prior audit recommendations, measured against agreed implementation dates.
• Annual billable or chargeable hours logged against departmental targets for audit coverage.
• Typical tools: audit documentation platforms (commonly ProSystem Engagement or similar); data querying environments (commonly ACL, IDEA, or SQL-based tools).

• Base Salary Range: $55,000 to $75,000 annually, depending on experience and market.
• Bonus: Annual performance bonus of 5% to 10% of base salary typical.
• Equity: Equity uncommon at this level; profit-sharing offered at some institutions.
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage; employer contribution varies by firm.
• PTO: 15 to 20 days annually plus standard federal holidays.
• Common Perks: CPA or CIA exam reimbursement, continuing education support, and professional membership fees.

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Employment contingent on successful completion of a background check, which may include credit history review consistent with financial services regulatory requirements. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations are available to applicants with disabilities throughout the hiring process upon request. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

The Associate Auditor owns audit and compliance examination of winery departments and affiliated operating businesses, conducting tests, compiling data, and preparing documentation to verify internal controls. Working within a collaborative team environment and reporting to audit leadership, the Associate Auditor delivers findings that safeguard operational integrity across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Learn, apply and document processes seeking to obtain reasonable assurance that entity functional processes have adequate internal controls.
• Participate in audits of winery departments and affiliated operating businesses to determine compliance with internal policies and procedures.
• Participate in consulting projects involving winery departments and/or affiliated operating businesses to identify opportunities to improve existing processes.
• Interview personnel responsible for specific processes under review.
• Participate in project research and execute against audit plans including performance of test procedures and preparation of supporting schedules.
• Compile, analyze and test data for audits and projects.
• Participate in the preparation of required documents to support results and recommendations.
• Complete multiple assignments on a timely basis and maintain satisfactory attendance.
• Work effectively in a team environment and demonstrate effective listening, verbal and written communication skills.
• Understand and comply with applicable quality, environmental and safety regulatory considerations.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, Economics, Statistics or Mathematics; or High School diploma plus 4 years of relevant experience.
• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business Administration or Accounting plus 2 years of Internal Audit or Public Accounting experience preferred.
• CPA, CIA, or CFE professional certification preferred.
• Experience reading, analyzing and interpreting business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures or governmental regulations.
• Experience writing reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals, and presenting information to groups of managers and clients.
• Experience solving practical problems and interpreting instructions in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.
• Basic knowledge of internal controls, audit/project procedures, documentation standards, engagement planning, and risk assessments.
• Experience working on projects with strategic impact and performing data analytics.
• Proficient in MS Word, Excel, and flow charting tools.

Reporting to engagement leadership, the Senior Audit Associate shapes field work planning, financial statement drafting, and full engagement completion for clients in the financial institution industry including community banks and credit unions. Partnering with associates, interns, and clients to manage risk assessments and deliverables, the Senior Audit Associate builds a portfolio of audit engagements while contributing to firm development and achieving billable hour targets.

Primary Duties

• Work as a member of an engagement team serving clients in the financial institution industry, such as community banks and credit unions.
• Plan and manage smaller engagements and ensure projects are delivered at or below budget.
• Participate in and lead portions of an audit including planning, control analysis and testing, and substantive procedures.
• Prepare and review financial statements, workpapers, audit programs, and management reports.
• Review, assess, and analyze client internal controls and make recommendations for improvement.
• Prepare simple tax accruals and research and conclude on accounting issues.
• Maintain active communication with engagement team and clients to manage expectations, deadlines, and deliverables.
• Train, review, and mentor associates and interns on firm technology, processes, and technical and soft skills.
• Participate in business development, recruiting, in-house training, and firm activities.
• Achieve 1,500 Annual Billable Hour Goal.

Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or equivalent required.
• CPA license preferred, CPA-eligible, or has a progressive plan toward passing the CPA exam.
• Minimum 2 years of current audit experience with a local, regional, or Big Four firm.
• Financial institution experience a plus.
• Working knowledge of auditing and accounting research techniques and various research sources.
• Intermediate Microsoft Excel skills; ProSystem Engagement experience a plus; ability to adapt quickly to new technology platforms.
• Excellent analytical, critical thinking, problem-solving, and oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.

Sitting at the intersection of internal audit and digital banking operations, the Associate Auditor participates in engagements covering banking operations, payments, technology, and digital wealth management to evaluate and report on key control effectiveness. Operating across the global International Consumer Audit team based in Brazil, the Associate Auditor delivers findings to management and shapes a culture of integrity and continuous improvement.

Duties

• Participate on audit engagements from planning to reporting and produce quality deliverables to department and professional standards.
• Work with colleagues and stakeholders to evaluate, test and report on the adequacy and effectiveness of management controls.
• Finalize audit findings and provide an overall opinion on the control environment.
• Communicate audit findings to management and identify opportunities for improvement in key controls.
• Implement and execute an effective program of continuous monitoring for assigned areas, including tracking key metrics to identify control issues and adverse trends.
• Contribute to a business climate that encourages integrity, respect, excellence and innovation.
• Stay current with evolving industry and regulatory developments impacting the business.
• Drive efficiency through automation and embrace innovative opportunities offered by new technologies.
• Take ownership of self-development including stretch assignments and seek out continued learning opportunities.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or relevant financial services experience required.
• Professional qualification or certification preferred (e.g., ACA, ACCA, CIA).
• Relevant experience in Retail Banking (mainstream or start-up banks) and in internal or external auditing or a controls-related function.
• Experience with internal audit methodology and applying concepts in audit delivery and execution.
• Understanding of internal control concepts with ability to evaluate controls considering business and technology risks in an integrated manner; strong analytical skills in assessing the probability and impact of internal control weaknesses.
• Data analytics skills preferred (Alteryx, Tableau, Query Development).
• Enthusiastic, self-motivated, effective under pressure, and flexible to changing business priorities.
• Fluent in English (writing, speaking, reading); willing to travel as needed.

Embedded within Internal Audit Management, the Associate Auditor supports the optimization of profits, safeguarding of corporate assets, and reliability of financial data through examination and appraisal of financial and operating controls. Working closely with engagement team members across all areas of the Company, the Associate Auditor builds audit documentation and recommendations that strengthen compliance and operational performance.

Core Functions

• Identify key risks and related controls within business processes and design control test steps to address key risks.
• Assist with advisory service activities by delivering professional services and improvement opportunities that add value to management.
• Assist with audit project planning including initial client interviews, preparation of audit planning memorandums and risk matrices.
• Execute test steps to assess operational effectiveness of key controls, providing clear and concise testing documentation.
• Examine activities across the Company to determine compliance with policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Assist with identification of potentially fraudulent activity through review of contracts, invoices, data analytics, public records, and social media.
• Assist with preparation of written audit reports and follow up on recommendations to ensure implementation.
• Demonstrate teamwork and responsibility with engagement team members.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Accounting, Finance, or related field required.
• 1 relevant professional designation preferred: CPA, CIA, CISA, and/or CFE.
• 1 year of internal auditing, public accounting, or general accounting experience preferred.
• Experience in the refining and marketing business preferred.
• Experience using data analytic/database tools (ACL, IDEA, ACCESS, SQL, or other querying tools) preferred.
• SAP systems experience preferred.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish (read, write, and speak) preferred.
• Strong analytical, communication, and human relations skills with ability to work under time constraints and meet deadlines preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret company policies, regulatory guidelines, and work-related documentation preferred.
• Ability to abide by confidentiality requirements and provide thorough customer service at all organizational levels preferred.
• Basic skill using Microsoft Office programs (Word and Excel) preferred.

A key member of the global Audit Services team, the Associate Auditor delivers routine audit examinations with a focus on Risk Management and Compliance areas across Northern Trust's corporate functions, business units, and products. Collaborating across audit partners globally and reporting to the Audit Manager in Limerick, the Associate Auditor builds insights that support the continued growth and effectiveness of the internal audit function.

Functions

• Demonstrate thorough knowledge of Audit Services' Internal Audit Charter, Policy and Methodology and adhere to all applicable requirements.
• Demonstrate knowledge of Northern Trust's global corporate functions, business units, products and services, operating environment, and associated risks and controls.
• With supervision, conduct and document walkthroughs and process flows and identify key risks and controls.
• With supervision, execute test steps, document work concisely, and evaluate results to assess the quality of the control environment.
• Demonstrate professionalism, scepticism, and judgment in all activities.
• Apply analytical skills to interpret information and determine potential control weaknesses.
• Maintain up-to-date understanding of the regulatory environment and relevant industry changes.

Experience & Qualifications

• College or university degree and/or entry-level auditing experience in a financial institution.
• Understanding of auditing and risk management activities and/or related work experience.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and time management skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills (e.g., report writing).
• Results oriented and focused on completing high-quality projects in a timely manner.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

Accurate and timely internal audit coverage for community financial institution clients depends on the Associate Auditor, who performs regulatory compliance audits, prepares management reports, and maintains ongoing client communication across Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Based within a geographically distributed model and traveling regularly to client sites, the Associate Auditor delivers audit services that help clients meet shifting regulatory requirements.

Accountabilities

• Perform internal audit and regulatory compliance audit services for community financial institution clients.
• Assist with various other audits and projects to meet client needs.
• Accurately prepare a variety of reports for management's review using established firm policies and procedures.
• Maintain ongoing communication with clients and keep firm management apprised of fieldwork status.
• Travel to and from client sites as required.

Technical Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; accounting degree preferred.
• Experience in banking preferred.
• Strong attention to detail with ability to think critically and work independently or within a team.
• Highly organized with good time management skills and flexibility regarding scheduling.
• Candidates must be located in or near Eastern Pennsylvania or New Jersey.

As the Associate Auditor, this role tests websites, mobile applications, and other digital assets against a defined checklist of accessibility issues and logs each identified failure in the A360 issue tracking software. The accessibility audit team relies on this work to deliver thorough, accurate findings to clients and customer success managers across all assigned projects.

Activities

• Audit project pages and views against a defined checklist of issues, focusing first on color contrast.
• Accurately report identified issues in the issue tracker and take screenshots illustrating each failure.
• Attend training and shadowing sessions.
• Work with team members to understand project details, conduct audit and QA, and report findings to CSMs.
• Collaborate closely with colleagues to ensure thorough and accurate issue documentation.

Position Requirements

• Strong knowledge of HTML and CSS.
• Strong general software and web skills with familiarity with the Google Chrome Inspector.
• Understanding of web-based accessibility issues desirable.
• JavaScript and mobile development experience (iOS, Android, React Native) desirable.
• Self-starting, cooperative, detail-oriented, and eager to learn in a startup environment.

Associate Auditor leads engagement management across multiple client audits, overseeing all phases from planning and fraud risk discussion through fieldwork and completion in accordance with firm standards. The work directly supports practice development and the supervision of audit assistants within a public accounting firm environment.

Operational Focus

• Manage all phases of ongoing engagements including planning, directing, and completing audits for multiple clients.
• Assist in engagement management and practice development activities.
• Develop and supervise audit assistants.
• Conduct audits as outlined by the engagement partner and manager in accordance with firm standards.
• Take an active role in audit planning and fraud discussions to identify risks, accounting processes, controls, and appropriate audit strategies.

Knowledge Skills & Abilities

• Bachelor's degree in Economics majoring in Accounting with GPA minimum 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.
• Minimum 1–2 years of experience in a reputable Public Accounting Firm.
• Strong leadership skills coupled with excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills.
• Able to manage multiple engagements and competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Good team player who enjoys working collaboratively with people from a variety of backgrounds.
• Active communication in English required; Mandarin communication is an advantage.