Internal Audit

• Operational audits, financial audits (SoX / financial controls), fraud investigations. Investing a couple of years doing operational & financial audit projects can be a great way to learn the business infrastructure; thus earning the opportunity to move to almost any team in the company!
• Many companies offer this path as a “feeder program” to recruit public accounting professionals making the switch to the corporate side

Internal Audit career track success advice:

Risk – global risk assessment projects (each industry is very unique)

Responsibilities:

• Performing risk investigations and analyses and provide status updates to executive management and business partners
• Drawing conclusions and communicating insights based on multiple data sets and behavior
• Providing detailed summaries of actions taken and rationale
• Liaising with account holders and enterprise clients as needed

Compliance

FINRA Compliance positions typically fall under the CCO (Chief Compliance Officer) umbrella. FINRA Licenses: Series 4 (Registered Options Principal Exam), Series 7 (General Securities Representative Exam), Series 24 (General Securities Principal Exam), and Series 65 (Uniform Investment Adviser Law Exam) or 66 (Uniform Combined State Law Exam) are a preferred qualification for this career track. Additional information on the above FINRA exams (Duration, # of questions, costs) can be found here.

Responsibilities include:

• Conducting surveillance and monitor trading activities in accordance with industry rules and firm policies.
• Reviewing advertising materials, including websites for BD and RIA to ensure compliance with FINRA, SEC, and state regulatory requirements
• Review and approve new customer investment accounts & 3rd party management agreements

External Audit

• O Public Accounting (External Audit) Page

IT Audit – corporate IT Audit professional perform technology, cyber-security, and compliance audits in the areas of design, efficiency and effectiveness of IT internal controls. Responsibilities:

• Auditing technology controls across various divisions associated with Information Security Governance and Operations, Incident Response, Identity & Access Management, Data Privacy, Application Vulnerability Management, etc.
• Assisting in the development of the annual plan including linking strategic initiatives of the Company to key audit and technology risks.
• Plan, conduct and supervise engagements with a focus on analysis and assessment of the control environment associated with the technology, operational and compliance processes of the Company
• Perform a regular, periodic follow-up on significant IT audit findings and recommendations to evaluate the adequacy of corrective actions
• Investigate and research technology issues and risks
• IT SoX Controls projects

Helpful Designations & Resources for Audit Careers:

1. Internal Audit Career Paths (into Business Operations) – myths of Internal Audit and what its all about. 
2. Designations:

   a. Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) – this is a very valuable certification for internal audit professionals in the Boston market. It is typically required for any position at Manager level or above. How to become a Certified Internal Auditor – CIA (step-by-step process). 

   b. Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)

   c. Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

   d. Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) – quickly becoming a must-have certification in Massachusetts due to technology’s ever expanding use in every operational & financial process. Getting a CISA will great help your career progression in internal audit. (even if you are not a part of very technical IT Audit projects)

   e. Certified Government Auditing Professional (CGAP)

Feedback on value of CISA

O | Representative Direct Hire Internal Audit / Risk / Compliance Searches:
Internal Audit Analyst, Risk Analyst, Senior Internal Auditor, Senior Global Risk Analyst, Internal Audit Manager, Risk Manager, SOX Controls Manager, Compliance Manager, Senior Manager of Internal Audit, IA Director, Vice President (VP) of Audit & Risk

Interview Preparation Material (Enterprise Risk & Global Internal Audit)