AUDIT PROJECT MANAGER JOB DESCRIPTION

An Audit Project Manager in financial services owns the end-to-end execution of risk-based audit engagements - from planning through report issuance - with no manager in the room. The role sits inside a corporate internal audit function, answering directly to audit leadership and the Audit Committee on control deficiencies, SOX compliance gaps, and CECL or BCBS-239 reporting requirements. That accountability is specific. It cannot be delegated to a compliance analyst or handed off to a controller.

As the Audit Project Manager, you are accountable for supervising engagement teams, executing SOX and financial internal control testing, and delivering findings that senior leadership can act on. You carry a portfolio of concurrent audit projects within a financial services organization, coordinating across business lines while holding the engagement schedule, budget, and quality standards.

Career Impact: Sustained ownership of SOX compliance programs and IIA-standard engagements builds the kind of audit leadership credential that opens doors to Internal Audit Director and Chief Audit Executive tracks.

Business Impact: The deficiency reports and Management Action Plans this role produces determine whether financial controls hold under regulatory scrutiny - a direct line to the organization's reporting integrity.

Growth Opportunity: Exposure to data governance frameworks, CECL requirements, and continuous auditing methodology positions you to move into broader risk or controllership roles commanding significantly higher market value.

• Lead concurrent audit engagements from planning through report issuance, managing schedule, scope, and budget against the annual audit plan.
• Evaluate business process narratives, flowcharts, and risk assessments prior to fieldwork commencement for each assigned component.
• Execute SOX and MAR compliance testing, including walkthroughs, control design review, and effectiveness validation.
• Identify internal control deficiencies and document findings in audit reports appropriate for Audit Committee and senior leadership audiences.
• Develop Management Action Plans in partnership with business owners to remediate confirmed deficiencies within agreed timelines.
• Monitor quarterly roll-forward assessments and document conclusions on internal control over financial reporting.
• Coach and provide on-the-job guidance to engagement team members to ensure conformance with IIA standards and internal methodology.
• Collaborate with audit leadership on continuous monitoring communications directed at key stakeholders across business lines.

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or equivalent work experience.
• Five or more years of internal audit or public accounting experience, with demonstrated exposure to financial services controls environments.
• Working knowledge of SOX Section 404 compliance requirements and the COSO internal control framework.
• Proven ability to assess control design and operating effectiveness across financial reporting processes.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience presenting findings to mid-level and senior management audiences.
• Professional certification (CPA, CIA, or CISA) required or actively in progress.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent engagements independently while meeting deadlines and budget targets.

• Familiarity with financial services regulatory frameworks including CECL, BCBS-239, or regulatory stress testing requirements.
• Experience applying data profiling or analytical testing techniques to validate large-scale financial datasets.
• Working knowledge of data governance concepts, including data lineage, metadata management, and associated control risks.
• Advanced degree (MBA or Master's in Accounting) in addition to professional certification.

• Audit engagements completed on schedule as a percentage of the annual audit plan.
• Deficiency report cycle time, measured from fieldwork close to final report issuance in days.
• Management Action Plan closure rate within agreed remediation deadlines, tracked quarterly.
• Reperformance or rework rate on audit workpapers, reflecting first-pass conformance with IIA standards.
• Percentage of SOX control populations tested without unresolved exceptions at period-end.
• Typical tools: audit management platforms (commonly ACL or IDEA); GRC and documentation tools (commonly supporting SOX workflow and workpaper storage).

• Base Salary Range: $95,000 to $135,000 depending on experience and location.
• Bonus: Annual performance bonus, typically 10 to 15 percent of base salary.
• Equity: Not typical at this level; may vary at larger financial institutions.
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage; employer contribution standard.
• PTO: 15 to 20 days annually, plus federal holidays.
• Common Perks: CPA or CIA exam reimbursement, continuing education support, hybrid work eligibility.

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

Background check completion, including credit history review where permitted by applicable law, is a condition of employment for this role given its access to financial reporting systems and sensitive control documentation. 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 federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations are available to applicants with disabilities upon request. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

The Audit Project Manager owns the execution of project audit activity and governance framework reporting for a well-established institution managing large-scale infrastructure projects, working on several complex projects simultaneously. Reporting to senior management, the Audit Project Manager delivers project assurance outcomes that support best practice methodology implementation and enable informed decision-making across contractor, consultant, and client stakeholder groups.

Key Responsibilities

• Support senior management in the development of best practice project assurance activities, culminating in the implementation and execution of the Project Audit Methodology.
• Scope Management control activity, including the collection of requirements, Project Scope and the translation into scheduled activities and the validation thereof.
• Manage project scheduling and associated controls.
• Manage project cost control and associated controls.
• Manage change management and associated controls.
• Manage project risk management and associated controls.
• Hold and facilitate risk management workshops, ensuring teams are supported and guided through the risk identification and assessment process with a view to capturing high priority project risk items for escalation and resolution.

Required Qualifications

• Civil Engineering or Surveying qualification preferable.
• Certified in globally recognized Project Management qualification (APM/PMI).
• Minimum 10 years' experience in site project management and/or project control environment, with split experience on Contractor, Consultant, and/or Client side.
• Good understanding of project planning to provide high-level reporting systems such as dashboards and volumetric progress tracking to highlight critical paths and identify risks and opportunities.
• Experience on large scale infrastructure, ideally including Prestigious buildings, Casino, or Resorts; China construction experience preferable.
• Experience in handling claims and forensic analysis.
• Good skills in Cost Planning, Monitoring, Reporting, Contract Administration, and interface management with numerous sub-contractors.
• Good business acumen and ability to think out of the box; good personality with strong presentation skills to develop and train colleagues.

Embedded within assigned business areas, the SOX Audit Project Manager performs SOX compliance activities including walk-throughs, testing, and deficiency identification in conjunction with business owners, while acting as project lead overseeing day-to-day SOX operations. Working closely with senior leadership and business area management, the SOX Audit Project Manager enables accurate financial reporting and supports a culture of compliance through Management Action Plans and staff development participation.

Core Functions

• Serve as a team leader and in-field project supervisor to plan, organize and facilitate multiple, concurrent audit projects of moderate complexity.
• Review in depth the process documentation obtained during walkthroughs and risk monitoring prior to the commencement of each assigned component.
• Develop project plan based on agreed timeline with the business area.
• Draft exceptions, deficiencies, and Deficiency reports that effectively communicate findings and conclusions in a concise manner appropriate for senior leadership.
• Participate in the execution of SOX and MAR compliance activities.
• Identify, document, review and validate test evidence.
• Identify key internal control risks in business processes including control design defects.
• Evaluate quarterly roll-forward assessments and document internal control over financial reporting.
• Work with management to create Management Action Plans (MAPs) to resolve deficiencies or issues.
• Participate in department-wide activities such as training, staff development, and management presentations.
• Profit and Quality Vigilance.
• Developing and Executing Strategy.
• Driving a Culture of Compliance.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• Advanced degrees or professional certifications desired (e.g. CPA, CIA, CISA).
• Minimum 5 years of experience in audit, accounting, or related business experience.
• Experience with financial statements, financial internal controls, and Sarbanes Oxley Compliance/COSO Framework.
• Experience within the Health Insurance industry.
• Microsoft Office proficiency.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to work independently.

Reporting to audit management, the Corporate Audit Services Audit Project Manager supervises staff through the completion of audit engagements with minimal oversight, monitoring engagement progress against plan and providing coaching to ensure conformance with internal audit policies and IIA procedures. Partnering with business line management and cross-functional stakeholders, the Corporate Audit Services Audit Project Manager delivers continuous monitoring communications and data-validated control assessments that strengthen the organization's financial services governance posture.

Primary Duties

• Lead complex audit planning activities, including cross-functional relationship building and communications.
• Evaluate business process narratives/flowcharts, risk assessments, and control descriptions.
• Complete and/or supervise control design review and effectiveness testing, including extensive use of data profiling and control validation.
• Identify potential issues and effectively communicate with business line and audit management.
• Draft audit findings and audit reports.
• Collaborate with the audit team on continuous monitoring communications with senior management and other key stakeholders.

Skills & Qualifications

• Professional certification as CISA, CPA, CIA, PMP, or MBA.
• Seven to ten years of applicable experience.
• Knowledge of Financial Service Industry practices, including regulatory reporting, CECL, BCBS-239, and Stress Testing requirements.
• Working understanding of data governance concepts and implementation, including data lineage, metadata, data governance tools, data quality measurement, and associated risks and controls.
• Working knowledge of data architectures and strategies, including risks and controls when implementing a data lake and analytics environment.
• Proven ability to understand complex systems and test data quality requirements using an audit software tool such as ACL, SAS, or IDEA.
• Capability to analyze project risks and document feedback.

Sitting at the intersection of internal audit oversight and enterprise risk management, the Audit Project Manager reviews all phases of audit activity and signs off on Audit Reports communicated to Sempra senior management, while staying current with business unit operations and applicable federal and state laws. Operating across direct reports, junior staff, and department-wide initiatives, the Audit Project Manager strengthens business controls and negotiates corrective action to reduce organizational risk exposure.

Duties

• Review results of all phases of the audit ensuring that conclusions, findings and recommendations are properly supported.
• Review and sign the Audit Report and help communicate audit results effectively to Sempra senior management.
• Stay current with Sempra business units' and corporate departments' operations and their respective risk profiles.
• Keep abreast of company policies and procedures, current developments in the auditing profession, and changes in local, state, and federal laws, as applicable.
• Assist with assessing risks and recommending changes to improve operations or strengthen business controls, and negotiate solutions or corrective action.
• Manage special audit projects and department initiatives as assigned, such as the annual risk assessment and Audit Plan.
• Evaluate, counsel, mentor, and provide feedback on performance of direct reports and other junior staff members; participate in training efforts.
• Perform other duties as assigned (no more than 5% of duties).

Experience & Qualifications

• 10+ years of related experience or equivalent training; prior internal audit experience required.
• 5+ years of relevant industry experience preferred.
• Knowledge of environmental, safety, operational, and management practices and auditing techniques.
• Strong grasp of audit theories and principles.
• Strong project management skills with proven ability to interact with all levels of the organization.
• Knowledge of company-wide financial systems such as SAP and Great Plains preferred.
• Bilingual (Spanish) preferred.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally; may be required to travel up to 20%.

A key member of the enterprise audit function, the Audit Project Manager leads a portfolio of Engineering and Research audit projects tied to U.S. Federal government partnerships spanning critical infrastructure, national security, and FEMA disaster relief initiatives. Collaborating across government entities, matrixed project teams, and senior management, the Audit Project Manager advances organizational risk management, control governance, and corrective action implementation to strengthen platform offerings for all customers.

Functions

• Manage a portfolio of audit projects; direct, counsel, and instruct audit teams; review audit programs, findings, and reports for sufficient scope, quality, and value-add.
• Work with and across government entities delivering assurance, certification, consulting, or other audit-related projects while managing multiple project teams in a matrixed organization.
• Ensure competent and sufficient engagement resources with relevant skills to meet each audit project and the annual plan.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and performance management to a highly empowered audit team and direct reports.
• Plan and execute complex and special audit projects enterprise-wide.
• Provide consulting and advisory services consistent with evaluating and improving the effectiveness of risk management, control, and governance processes.
• Assist business management in developing appropriate action plans to address identified deficiencies and ensure corrective actions are implemented in a timely manner.
• Communicate trends in risk and control issues to senior management; keep current on company strategies, priorities, and business objectives.
• Raise the technical knowledge of the group through training and continuous professional development.

Background & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, IT, Business Administration, or related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• Professional certification such as CPA, CIA, CISA, etc.
• 10+ years of demonstrated work experience in audit or a combination of auditing and other experience in audit, controls and compliance, or controllership role.
• Experience working directly with the U.S. Federal Government.
• Knowledge of generally accepted auditing standards and accounting principles.
• Proven project management, leadership, and people management skills with experience building strong, self-directed teams in dynamic matrix environments.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to deliver controversial messages to senior management.
• Ability to meet Microsoft, customer, and/or government security screening requirements (ability to meet Microsoft cloud screen required).
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally for 2–3 week periods up to approximately 20–30% of the year.

As the Audit Project Manager, this role shapes risk-based audit strategy and program development in collaboration with subject matter experts, acting as project lead on engagements that include defining objectives, managing budgets, and reporting to the Audit Committee. The work directly supports mid-level management decision-making on risk mitigation and delivers written and verbal conclusions that advance continuous auditing capability across the organization.

Accountabilities

• Manage the execution of risk-based audit activities.
• Consult with mid-level management on risk mitigation strategies and identifying control solutions.
• Develop risk-based audit strategies and programs in collaboration with department subject matter experts.
• Follow up on outstanding audit issues and escalate emerging concerns.
• Act as project lead on audits, including defining objectives, executing audit planning and fieldwork, managing the budget, and reporting in compliance with department methodology.
• Complete audit workpapers for compliance with department policy and IIA standards.
• Prepare complete and comprehensive communications containing critical information, including audit reports and management memos.
• Develop data analysis and continuous auditing strategies.
• Present conclusions written and verbally to senior management with the risk perspective of the Audit Committee.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Economics, Business, Mathematics, Finance, or Accounting; Advanced degree in Accounting, Business, or related field preferred.
• Certification (CPA, CFA, or CIA).
• 4+ years of audit experience, preferably in the financial industry.
• Data analysis and ACL experience.
• Ability to recognize symptoms of problems, manage multiple priorities calmly, and address obstacles that prevent work from moving forward.
• Ability to quickly incorporate new information and concepts into current thinking and generate innovative ideas and solutions.
• Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to maintain professionalism in difficult discussions; effective written and verbal communication.
• Ability to travel if necessary.

Internal Controls & Audit Project Manager delivers SOX 404 framework implementation and internal controls auditing across a growing organization operating in the EV and automotive manufacturing space, partnering with business leaders, tax, finance, treasury, and legal on risk and compliance matters. The work supports business stakeholders in maintaining adherence to Company policies while identifying opportunities to streamline and expand internal control measures as the organization scales.

Key Deliverables

• Implement Sarbanes Oxley 404 framework and coordinate formal reviews and monitoring.
• Draft, update, and revise policies and internal controls guidelines as necessary in response to findings from internal audit, compliance monitoring, and other internal efforts.
• Conduct audits of internal controls.
• Assist with the development, implementation, and remediation of identified internal controls weaknesses and/or compliance violations.
• Work collaboratively with internal business stakeholders to proactively promote awareness of compliance policies and ensure appropriate training, support, and adherence to Company policies and procedures.
• Partner with business leaders, tax, finance, treasury, legal, and external advisers on risk, control, and audit matters.
• Research and document evolving control issues and measures, and adapt processes as the organization grows.
• Advise on opportunities to streamline, strengthen, and expand internal control measures and their effectiveness.

Professional Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or related field; CPA or CIA certification preferred.
• 4+ years of related experience, including manufacturing and/or automotive experience preferred.
• Experience working in a team environment and overseeing the work of others; ability to manage multiple tasks concurrently and work independently.
• Ability to prioritize, review quality of work, and adapt quickly to changing priorities; hands-on with strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Effective problem-solving skills with a customer service orientation; ability to quickly learn and understand new technical concepts.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel).
• Exceptional communication, teamwork, cooperation, positive attitude, strong work ethic, and good sense of humor.
• A genuine fascination for the EV space and a commitment to global change.