Audit Specialist I

AUDIT SPECIALIST I

Salary, Exempt

Starts at $50,000 annually, additional base wage dependent on experience

Eligible for bank-wide bonus up to 8%

Benefits start first month

WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR:

We're looking for an Audit Specialist to join our team at our headquarters located just north of downtown Grand Rapids.

As a community bank, we're dedicated to supporting our customers and employees and helping them thrive. In this role, your focus would be ensuring the systems and processes which allow our employees to meet the needs of our customers are working properly and we're providing excellence in every interaction. The Audit Team operates independently of the Bank and its mission is to ensure the Bank is operating to the highest standards, in both internal and customer facing processes.

This role requires that you become knowledgeable in all Bank functions and can be a little intimidating at first, but don't fret! We understand there is a learning curve to this type of work and provide training and ongoing support.

Throughout the audit process there are standard processes in place for how audits are completed. Through repetition and feedback, you will learn the "language" and how to document this process effectively. Working closely with the rest of the audit team you'll collaborate, submit work papers, and receive feedback continuously.

Audits are completed on a rotational schedule according to the Audit Plan, and once assigned to a portion of an audit, you will communicate with the department or team being audited, gather necessary information, evaluate processes, and then draw conclusions based on the data you glean from internal teams and systems. While waiting for information you'll often switch priorities and tasks. Importantly, you'll need to be organized so that you are able to pick back up where you left off when you get the information you were waiting for.

Given the nature of this position, this role requires someone who enjoys variety, thrives in a changing environment, and is naturally curious. Over time you will learn about every function within the bank as all departments are audited based on the annual Audit Plan. There is always something new to learn and new processes being introduced throughout the organization, so someone who is comfortable taking on new challenges and enjoys doing something different each day will be more likely to succeed and truly enjoy this role.

It kind of goes without saying, but to do well in this position, it's important to be extremely detail oriented, logical, and process oriented. Not every situation is going to have a black and white answer, and being able to operate with some ambiguity while making independent judgment calls based on analysis of facts is what makes a great auditor.

As we're focused on using innovative technology to support our customers, we have many different computer systems that are both internal and external facing. Someone who enjoys technology is likely to thrive in this position and the ability to operate Excel at an intermediate level is required.

You'll be expected to be in-office for the first few months while you're learning the audit process and the features and functionality of the various systems. After you're comfortable handling most requests and can troubleshoot effectively, you'll be eligible to work from home 1-2 days per week.

TO SUM UP:

We're looking for someone who:

Obtained a bachelor's degree, with preference given for a business-related degree

Has at least 1 year of banking or auditing experience

Has a high aptitude for technology and learning new systems

Enjoys analysis, utilizing excel, logic, and understands when to ask for guidance

Is a very strong written communicator, able to convey information in a succinct and factual manner

Has a professional demeanor, positive outlook (we're not here to "catch people breaking the rules"!) and enjoys working in a team environment that celebrates wins and supports one another

Is able to work in an office environment, answer calls, and operate a computer M-F 8am-5pm

Has a valid drivers license and ability to operate a motor vehicle. Depending on the audit, it may require travel to branch locations regionally throughout MI, with the majority being day trips. Overnight travel is unlikely to exceed more than 5-10 days per year

Has desire to obtain necessary audit certifications as required

Enjoys multiple projects, is able to identify changing priorities, and who can manage their day with effective time management skills

WHO WE ARE:

Mercantile Bank was born in 1997 by a group of West Michigan bankers with a goal to deliver financial solutions that empower people and businesses to achieve their dreams - all while bettering the lives of its employees and their communities. Since then, we have grown to over 40 locations, 5.25 billion in total assets, and nearly 700 employees.

We're now the largest bank headquartered in Michigan and while we're proud of our growth, we are steadfast in remaining a community bank. We focus on relationships, building partnerships, and ensuring we don't lose the "small-bank" edge that makes us flexible, quick, and able to invest back into the community through our strong local ties. Our focus on technology and innovation has carried us through challenging times and is part of what makes us able to compete with the big guys.

Our success doesn't come by accident - our people show their integrity in every interaction. We believe in hiring people based on their character and teaching them the Mercantile specific skills they need to be successful. We firmly believe in developing our people and promoting from within whenever possible.

Our reputation as a great place to work didn't just happen either. Our intentional efforts and investment in providing benefits, compensation, and a culture of continuous learning is why we're able to attract and retain incredible people from inside and outside the corporate banking industry. We're proud (but honestly not that surprised) to be one of West Michigan's Best and Brightest Companies to Work for, 19 years and counting.

We hope you'll consider joining our team and make your personal and career goals come true!

WHAT WE OFFER:

Along with competitive compensation and bonus programs, some of the medical and wellbeing benefits we provide are:

Multiple medical, dental, and vision plans to choose from

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

Paid Time Off: 2 weeks paid vacation, sick time to care for yourself and your family, and 11 paid holidays

Company Paid Life Insurance of 3 times your annual salary

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Adoption and IVF Assistance

Fitness Equipment Purchase Plan

We also provide many opportunities to invest in your financial wellness and career development by providing:

401(k) match at 100% up to the first 5% of your contribution

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

529 College Savings Plans

Discounted bank services

Legal protection

Tuition Reimbursement

Exceptional training and development opportunities tailored to your career interests and goals

We strongly believe that embracing human diversity makes us a better bank. We know it makes us better people.

Employees with dissimilar backgrounds, perspectives, opinions and lifestyles help us understand the motivations and desires of our many different customers. Thus, we strive to maintain a workforce that reflects the increasing diversity of the communities we serve by ensuring equal employment opportunity for all persons without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex/gender (including gender identity), national origin, age, height, weight, disability, medical condition, genetic information, sexual orientation, disabled or Vietnam era veteran, other forms of military status, marital status, or other protected characteristics.