Experienced Senior Associate, RAS – Financial Services

Job Summary:

The Risk Advisory Services – Financial Services (“RAS-FS”) Senior Associate is responsible for providing risk consulting and issues resolution to financial services clients in the areas of internal audit, business process improvement/transformation, regulatory compliance, risk management, information technology, and/or Sarbanes-Oxley (“SOX”). In this role, the RAS-FS Senior Associate participates in all stages of an internal audit and/or consulting engagement, and provides assistance with planning, field work, engagement wrap up and report composition, along with providing recommendations regarding client risk management.

This position may work a sporadic and fluctuating schedule.

Job Duties:

• Acts as the primary day-to-day contact for clients regarding basic questions and information
• Develops and monitors budgets (budget-to-actual) for all assigned engagements
• Conducts informational interviews, and facilitates meetings with clients during engagement process
• Obtains information, documents, and data from clients to support the completion of analysis and research of client issues
• Documents and analyzes client processes, risks, and controls, with guidance and direction from senior RAS-FS professionals
• Develops initial deliverables and/or solutions to client issues
• Reassesses risk and communicates with senior RAS-FS professionals and/or client, as necessary
• Assists with management of engagements to ensure engagement metrics are achieved
• Utilizes research tools, databases, and trade publications to develop an understanding of client’s industry
• Develops relationships with client personnel and management members
• Prepares formal and informal presentations for client meetings
• Partners with RAS-FS leadership to complete research and draft proposals and reports, as necessary
• Implements project plans
• Maintains the confidentiality of all documentation and work papers associated with client engagements
• Conducts risk assessment of assigned department or functional areas in established / required timelines, while overseeing staff
• Develops risk-based audit programs
• Determines the scope of a review in conjunction with the engagement manager
• Documents understanding of internal audit areas and identifies associated relevant risks and key controls
• Assesses internal control design and operational effectiveness
• Conducts audit testing of specified area and identifies reportable issues and dimension of risk
• Determines compliance with appropriate legislation and/or audit policies and procedures
• Communicates findings to senior management, and drafts comprehensive report of audited area
• Ability to travel, as needed
• Other duties as required

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Supervises the day-to-day workload of RAS-FS Associates on assigned engagements, and reviews work product to ensure quality standards are met
• Ensures RAS-FS Associates are trained on all relevant audit and other software and engagement processes and procedures
• Delivers periodic performance feedback, and completes performance evaluations for RAS-FS Associates
• Acts as mentor to RAS-FS Associates, as appropriate

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, or Finance, required

Experience:

• Four (4) or more years of banking, asset management, brokerage, and/or other financial services experience within a public accounting firm or financial institution performing internal audit, consulting, compliance, and/or risk services, required
• Experience with internal controls, including Sarbanes-Oxley/FDICIA, flowcharts, documentation and testing of controls, required
• Experience with IT audit and SOX, with a focus on entity wide risk assessment, required
• Two (2) or more years of experience in performing internal audits of banking, asset management, brokerage, and/or other financial services activities as follows, preferred:
• Lending Activities (e.g., Consumer Loans/Commercial Loans/Portfolio Management/Problem Loan Management/ALLL)
• Treasury and Finance (e.g., Accounting & Controllers/Investments & Treasury/ALM/Liquidity Mgmt./Borrowing/Reg. Reporting)
• Core Regulatory Requirements (e.g., Consumer/Lending/Privacy/Operational/Compliance/Risk Management)
• Bank/Asset Management/Brokerage Operations (e.g., Branch Admin. & Retail Banking/Electronic Banking/Deposit Operations/Vendor Management/ERM/Trade Execution - Capture, Match, Settle, Reconcile and Report/New Client On-Boarding/Account Management)
• Human Resources (e.g., Payroll/Employee Benefits/Regulatory Compliance/Ethics Management/Training Program)
• Two (2) or more years of supervisory experience, preferred

License/Certifications:

• CPA, CIA, CISA and/or CFSA, preferred

Software:

• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, required
• Experience with various IT audit applications and research tools, required

Other Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Solid understanding and capable of planning and coordinating the stages to perform an audit within a financial institution
• Knowledge of internal accounting controls, professional standards, and regulations within a financial institution
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to adapt style and messaging to effectively communicate with professionals at all levels both within the client organization and the Firm
• Ability to successfully multi-task while working independently and within a group environment
• Superior analytical and diagnostic skills
• Able to work in a demanding, deadline driven environment with a focus on details, accuracy, and responsiveness
• Ability to adapt to rapidly changing environments successfully
• Solid organizational skills, especially the ability to meet project deadlines with a focus on details
• Effective management of a team of professionals and ability to delegate work assignments as needed
• Build and maintain strong relationships with client personnel

Join us at BDO, where you will find more than a career, you’ll find a place where your work is impactful, and you are valued for your individuality. We offer flexibility and opportunities for advancement. Our culture is centered around making meaningful connections, approaching interactions with curiosity, and being true to yourself, all while making a positive difference in the world.

At BDO, our purpose of helping people thrive every day is at the heart of everything we do. Together, we are focused on delivering exceptional and sustainable outcomes and value for our people, our clients, and our communities. BDO is proud to be an ESOP company, reflecting a culture that puts people first, by sharing financially in our growth in value with our U.S. team. BDO professionals provide assurance, tax and advisory services for a diverse range of clients across the U.S. and in over 160 countries through our global organization.

BDO is the first large accounting and advisory organization to implement an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). A qualified retirement plan, the ESOP offers participants a stake in the firm’s success through beneficial ownership and a unique opportunity to enhance their financial well-being. The ESOP stands as a compelling addition to our comprehensive compensation and Total Rewards benefits* offerings. The annual allocation to the ESOP is fully funded by BDO through investments in company stock and grants employees the chance to grow their wealth over time as their shares vest and grow in value with the firm’s success, with no employee contributions.

We are committed to delivering exceptional experiences to middle market leaders by sharing insight-driven perspectives, helping companies take business as usual to better than usual. With industry knowledge and experience, a breadth and depth of resources, and unwavering commitment to quality, we pride ourselves on:

• Welcoming diverse perspectives and understanding the experience of our professionals and clients
• Empowering team members to explore their full potential
• Our talented team who brings varying skills, knowledge and experience to proactively help our clients navigate an expanding array of complex challenges and opportunities
• Celebrating ingenuity and innovation to transform our business and help our clients transform theirs
• Focus on resilience and sustainability to positively impact our people, clients, and communities
• BDO Total Rewards that encompass so much more than traditional “benefits.” Click here to find out more!

*Benefits may be subject to eligibility requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets