INTERNAL AUDIT DIRECTOR SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, AND JOB REQUIREMENTS

Published: Oct 13, 2025 - The Internal Audit Director has experience in finance, accounting, internal audit, and operational roles within global companies or major accounting firms. This role requires knowledge of risk-based auditing, complex information systems, international standards such as COSO and IIA, and an understanding of both operational and financial business dimensions. The director also leads international teams, brings a broad business perspective, and applies a proactive, innovative, and culturally aware approach to control, risk, and process improvement.

Essential Hard and Soft Skills for a Standout Internal Audit Director Resume
  • Risk Assessment
  • Audit Planning
  • Audit Execution
  • Control Evaluation
  • SOX Compliance
  • Process Improvement
  • Data Analytics
  • Regulatory Compliance
  • Fraud Investigation
  • Quality Assurance
  • Team Leadership
  • Executive Communication
  • Strategic Planning
  • Stakeholder Collaboration
  • Relationship Building
  • Team Development
  • Problem Solving
  • Decision Making
  • Time Management
  • Adaptability

Summary of Internal Audit Director Knowledge and Qualifications on Resume

1. BS in Accounting with 8 years of Experience

  • Professional certifications such as CIA (Certified Internal Auditor) or CPA.
  • Experience in independently leading and performing audits.
  • Knowledge of enterprise risk management (i.e., risk analysis and control assessment) and SOX (control frameworks and testing).
  • Proven experience in managing an international, diverse and multidisciplinary team of professionals.
  • Experience in external audit with a Big 4 company or in a global environment, preferably in a multi-brand company or large private equity environment.
  • Ability to understand the big picture and recognize interdependencies.
  • Must have a solution-oriented, accurate and quality-driven work style.
  • Excellent communication skills, strategic thinking ability and ability to influence and gain trust with key stakeholders.
  • Fluent in English (written and spoken).

2. BA in Finance with 5 years of Experience

  • Experience in internal and/or external auditing with big/international auditing firms.
  • Must have exposure to some of the following industries, including Cement, Construction, Manufacturing, Hospitality, or Healthcare.
  • Able to keep up to date with recent IFRS.
  • Good exposure to an Iraq-relevant working environment, including but not limited to Tax and Iraqi accounting GAAP.
  • Must have languages, including Kurdish, Arabic and English (Strong verbal and written communication skills).
  • Ability to communicate ideas, facts, and write comprehensive reports.
  • Ability to work with little supervision, to meet deadlines, to solve problems, and to make appropriate recommendations.
  • Detail-oriented, with a strong focus and the highest level of Professionalism and objectivity under all circumstances.
  • Self-motivated, results-oriented with a conceptual and flexible mindset and possess good communication, presentation and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.
  • Able to manage staff and development.

3. BS in Business Administration with 9 years of Experience

  • Public Accounting and Internal Audit experience.
  • Proven Audit leadership/supervisory experience.
  • Must have certifications relative to the practice of Internal Audit, e.g., CPA, CIA, CFE, CISA.
  • Extensive working knowledge of internal control requirements, generally accepted accounting principles, audit practices, accounting processes and application of data analytics.
  • Must have excellent analytical abilities.
  • Extensive and proven experience in using data analytics in audit project planning, test work and reporting.
  • Experience in providing deliverables that address the root cause of issues.
  • Ability to provide value-adding recommendations beyond generic/consultant speak.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including listening.
  • Ability to communicate with all levels of clients in both verbal and written form.
  • Proven ability to handle confidential and sensitive matters with a high degree of integrity.
  • Experience working within a COSO/risk-based framework in the energy industry.
  • Experience in the management of Sarbanes-Oxley compliance.
  • Highly proficient with Microsoft Office applications, audit workpaper tools (AuditBoard) and data analytics software.
  • Strong background in collecting, modeling, and using data to extract insight and communicate data-driven conclusions.

4. BA in Economics with 7 years of Experience

  • Experience with Big Four or internal audit.
  • Functional or auditing experience in one or more of the following, including finance and accounting operations, enterprise engineering, real estate, and global security.
  • Experience in project management practices, tooling, and managing projects through the SOX lifecycle.
  • Experience working with business partners and third-party service providers.
  • Organizational, multi-tasking, and prioritization experience.
  • Experience managing high-performing teams, Commitment and track record for developing and coaching people.
  • Professional auditing certifications, such as the CIA, CISSP, CPA, CISA, or CFSA.
  • Able to gain trust through action, develop deep business understanding, spot opportunities, and deliver value to the business.
  • Able to thrive and gain energy from navigating an ambiguous and changing environment.
  • Able to go deep, synthesize, simplify, and then tell the story to the audience.
  • Understanding of Meta's products and operations.

5. BS in Management Information Systems with 8 years of Experience

  • Relevant experience in Public Accounting or Internal Auditing with a large multinational public company.
  • Knowledge of financial processes and internal control, global supply chain, consumer loyalty and marketing programs, and their financial implications, enterprise risk management, COSO and Sarbanes-Oxley 302 and 404 assessments.
  • Exceptional people leadership skills with demonstrated ability to inspire and create a high-performing team in a collaborative and complex environment.
  • Ability to think strategically, communicate vision, and execute plans to meet business objectives.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to effectively articulate risks, mitigation proposals and link common themes to stakeholders at various levels of the organization.
  • Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
  • Professional certification, such as Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) or Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), or Chartered Accountant (CA).
  • Experience with data analytics tools.

6. BA in Risk Management with 10 years of Experience

  • Proven and collaborative leadership experience in a complex environment.
  • Self-starter who demonstrates initiative and displays a high energy level.
  • Able to think and act strategically.
  • Able to anticipate opportunities and challenges and drive long-term strategies while maintaining focus on shorter-term objectives.
  • Highly developed relationship-building and influencing skills to foster effective working relations across the teams, including functional and divisional leaders.
  • Powerful communication skills and awareness of the audience to properly convey information in a meaningful, yet concise manner.
  • Strong ability to learn on the fly, to understand and solve complex problems.
  • Proven capability in conducting and managing quantitative analysis with the highest level of attention to detail.

7. BS in Computer Science with 11 years of Experience

  • Progressive internal/external audit, accounting, or finance consulting experience at a publicly traded company.
  • Expertise in audit methodologies, Sarbanes-Oxley Act, COSO principles, IIA standards and enterprise risk methodologies.
  • Strong management reporting and communication skills to present fact-based audit findings, reasoned insights, and actionable recommendations.
  • Demonstrated success in building and leading high-performance teams.
  • Track record of developing productive relationships with various internal and external stakeholders, including executive management, various business owners, operations, legal, HR, finance, external audit and consulting firms, as well as the board of directors/audit committee.
  • Able to gain exposure to international operations, various business models and global complexity, ideally including experience entering new markets.
  • Experience operating in a high-growth, global environment, preferably related to technology.
  • Expert knowledge of internal audit, risk assessments and control environments.
  • Comprehensive understanding of auditing standards, GAAP, PCAOB standards, SEC regulations, Sarbanes-Oxley and COSO Internal Control Integrated Framework.
  • Proven record of developing relationships at all levels in a corporate organization.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Effective leadership of internal/external resources.

8. BS in Statistics with 12 years of Experience

  • Experience in internal auditing in a retail, consumer products and/or digital consumer environment, supporting multiple locations and exceeding five billion in annual sales.
  • Management experience in a large company.
  • Thorough knowledge and understanding of internal audit, risk management and compliance standards and frameworks.
  • Able to build the capacity of individuals and teams through effective employee development, involvement, communication, and supervision efforts.
  • Able to create a strong, mutually supportive work spirit and culture where people can do their best.
  • Able to establish trust and inspire others.
  • Able to maintain the highest level of integrity in work product and interactions with teams across the co-op.
  • Able to make effective organizational and people decisions in a manner consistent with REI's values and ethics.
  • Able to deliver on commitments and hold others to the same, champion the organization and advocate solutions in the overall Company's best interest.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills.
  • Able to use business knowledge, innovative thinking, and sound judgment in the solution of problems or the pursuit of business opportunities.
  • Able to consolidate information from various sources, including feedback from others, to reach sound decisions.
  • Able to consider the ultimate impact of decisions and actions on internal and external customers.
  • Strong organization and time management skills.
  • Able to foster change in company direction, effectively plan and execute changes.

9. BA in Public Administration with 11 years of Experience

  • Experience applying internal auditing standards, internal control frameworks, management principles and leading practices.
  • Must have audit-relevant certifications such as a CPA, CIA, CISA, CISM, or equivalent.
  • Must have “Big 4” or equivalent public accounting, private industry accounting, or internal audit experience, with management or leadership level.
  • Skill in applying internal auditing standards, internal control frameworks (including COSO, COBIT, GTAG, NIST, etc.), management principles, and leading practices.
  • Must demonstrate significant experience and background in planning, implementing, and leading the internal audit function of a complex, decentralized and diverse organization, preferably in a production environment.
  • Advanced knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and the COSO framework.
  • Experience with information technology or cybersecurity audits.
  • Strong critical thinking, communication and technology skills, including experience with creating and delivering presentations to senior management and/or Boards.
  • Audit planning, project management, ability to think critically and maintain composure under pressure while meeting multiple deadlines.
  • Able to present audit observations in a conversational format across all levels of management, including executive leadership.
  • Demonstrated ability to recognize and respond to diverse thinking and learning styles.
  • Excellent verbal and written communications, with the demonstrated ability to adjust messaging accordingly based on the audience being addressed.
  • Capable of managing and working on multiple projects simultaneously, making the necessary adjustments to address changing priorities.
  • Desire to assist with evolving the organization, introducing and implementing innovative and efficiency-driven practices.

10. BA in Corporate Governance with 9 years of Experience

  • Experience in a Big 4 audit or an audit department of a Fortune 500 company.
  • Must have a broad corporate audit skill set, including financial and operational.
  • Progressiveincreasing management responsibilities in audit or equivalent risk management function.
  • Proven ability to develop relationships at all levels with internal and external stakeholders, specifically in a matrix environment.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office products (i.e., Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, Access, Visio and Project).
  • Must have project management/organizational skills.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Must have strong executive presence.
  • Knowledge of and passion for the healthcare industry.
  • Knowledge of healthcare-specific technologies and compliance requirements (FDA, DEA, DHHS, Privacy (HIPAA/HITECH)).
  • Financial accounting principles and terms, as well as core business process knowledge.
  • Strong project management skills.
  • Must have a CPA or CIA certification.

11. BA in Public Administration with 8 years of Experience

  • Must have a CPA or CIA certification.
  • Strong understanding of US GAAP, auditing standards and methodologies and SOX.
  • Experience in internal auditing or compliance-related roles, with a mix of Big 4 public accounting and public company internal audit.
  • Excellent personnel management skills with a proven track record of building, growing and maintaining high-performing and efficient teams.
  • Deep understanding of corporate operations and infrastructure.
  • Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Able to demonstrate outstanding interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Ability to discuss complex and/or technical concepts with subject experts, yet explain those concepts to other stakeholders in a simple but informative manner.
  • Ability to thrive in a dynamic, deadline-driven, fast-paced environment and manage multiple projects and resources effectively.
  • Able to display a high standard of ethics and professionalism.

12. BS in Accounting with 6 years of Experience

  • Must have experience with Big Four or internal audit.
  • Able to develop people, commitment, and track record for managing and developing a team.
  • Functional or auditing experience in one or more of the following, including Machine learning, data analytics, and engineering systems.
  • Organizational, multi-tasking, and prioritization experience.
  • Subject matter knowledge in operations, process, financial, and compliance risks.
  • Professional auditing certifications, such as the CIA, CISA.
  • Understanding of Meta products and operations.
  • Experience working in the technology industry and/or auditing complex data pipelines and advanced computer systems.
  • Able to gain trust through action, develop deep business understanding, spot opportunities, and deliver value to the business.

13. BS in Information Systems with 12 years of Experience

  • Experience in finance positions (finance and accounting, operational finance position and/or internal audit experience).
  • Extensive audit experience with a large, well-managed company and/or partner-level experience with a public accounting firm, internal or external.
  • Must be familiar with a risk-based approach and the audit issues associated with complex information systems.
  • Strong understanding of international environments and a sensitivity to different cultures.
  • Must have managed an international staff.
  • Significant operational experience dealing with control and risk issues in a global public company of appropriate size and scale.
  • Must have a broad business background and management perspective.
  • Understanding of both the operational and financial dimensions of the business.
  • Strong background in industrial environments.
  • Working knowledge of auditing, finance, business management and process improvement principles.
  • Understanding of the Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing, the Code of Ethics developed by the Institute of Internal Auditors, and the COSO Framework.
  • Knowledge/experience of the implementation of information systems, including internal controls and audit systems.
  • Positive attitude, innovative, self-directed and assertive.

14. BA in Risk Management with 9 years of Experience

  • Previous audit experience, including audit management experience.
  • Proficient in the assessment of financial and technology controls.
  • Proficient in accounting principles and techniques.
  • Good knowledge of healthcare industry regulations and business practices.
  • Must have CPA and/or CIA Certification.
  • Must have public accounting experience.
  • Must have healthcare audit experience.
  • Must have financial management experience.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Strategic influence, professionalism, integrity and reliability.
  • Analytical thinking, deductive reasoning, and attention to detail.
  • Experience with internal audit management software systems.

15. BA in Finance with 8 years of Experience

  • Internal audit, risk advisory, or SOX controls experience.
  • Big 4 (or national firm) audit experience.
  • Demonstrated experience managing audits within a complex operational and regulatory environment.
  • Excellent soft skills, such as interpersonal, leadership, presentation, and collaborative skills, to work effectively with teams throughout the organization.
  • Proven professional internal audit competency with experience of leading internal audits, preferably in an international context.
  • Knowledge of risk management/corporate governance requirements.
  • Professional accounting qualification.
  • Professional internal auditing experience, as well as designation of Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), or Certified Information Security Auditor (CISA).

16. BS in Industrial Engineering with 10 years of Experience

  • Professional level project management experience in public accounting, IT audit, internal audit and/or Sarbanes-Oxley compliance.
  • Relevant certifications (CPA, CIA, CISA, PMP).
  • Experience in the financial service industry.
  • Thorough knowledge of accounting principles, practices, and procedures.
  • Knowledge of Database Software Systems (i.e., SQL, Microsoft Access).
  • Working knowledge of COSO, COBIT, and ITIL control frameworks and standards.
  • Thorough working knowledge of MS Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
  • Must have audit experience.
  • Senior manager or higher-level experience.
  • Must have recent Sox experience.
  • Strong relationship, communication and presentation skills.

17. BA in Corporate Governance with 7 years of Experience

  • Solid understanding of technical accounting, financial reporting and valuation of complex financial instruments.
  • Ability to inspire leaders to peers and junior audit professionals.
  • Ability to make the complex simple and focus on the big picture.
  • Client relationship experience with executives.
  • Strong attention to detail with the ability to visualize across a variety of processes.
  • Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, and customers.
  • Must have the ability to interact with guests, staff and colleagues and resolve problems and conflicts in a diplomatic and tactful manner.
  • Must be proficient in Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, and Outlook).
  • Must have excellent organization and communication skills, both written and verbal.
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