Executive Director Of Internal Audit/Chief Internal Auditor (0325)

Northern Illinois University (NIU) seeks an Executive Director of Internal Audit/Chief Internal Auditor to provide leadership, planning, and appopriate management of the university's internal audit department.

NIU, located 65 miles west of Chicago, is a student-centered, nationally recognized public research university with expertise that benefits its region and spans the globe in a wide variety of fields. The NIU community is committed to positive change and is focused on enhancing student academic and career success.

Position Summary

The Chief Internal Auditor serves as the executive director of a broad, comprehensive auditing program within the University, in accordance with the professional standards and code of ethics adopted or promulgated by the State Internal Audit Advisory Board established by the Fiscal Control and Internal Auditing Act of the State of Illinois. The primary function of the position is to provide leadership, planning, and appropriately manage the internal audit department.

Internal audit examines and evaluates the adequacy and effectiveness of the internal control systems established by the University to assure accomplishment of university objectives and goals as efficiently and economically as possible while in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The internal audit function delivers an array of services to the entire University including but not limited to evaluating internal accounting controls, auditing compliance with federal and state laws, university policies and procedures, and other rules and regulations, auditing financial records, assisting with fraud prevention and detection, auditing information technology and systems, auditing departmental operations and internal consulting.

Internal audit is an independent, objective assurance and consulting activity. In that context, internal audit plays critical roles in enterprise risk management (ERM) by providing objective assurance to the Board of Trustees and President regarding the effectiveness of ERM and internal controls, and consulting with members of the university to improve risk management and control processes.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

This position establishes plans to carry out the responsibilities of the internal audit department, provides written policies and procedures to guide the staff, establishes a program for selecting and developing the internal audit staff, consisting of four auditors and a graduate staff assistant, conducts special examinations at the request of management, and establishes and maintains a quality assurance program to evaluate the operation of the department.

Minimum Required Qualifications (Civil Service)

N/A

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) (Civil Service)

N/A

Specialty Factors (Civil Service)

N/A

Preferred Qualifications (Civil Service)

N/A

Minimum Required Qualifications (SPS)

QUALIFICATIONS

• BA/BS in accounting, business, or other appropriate field required AND a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA} by examination OR a Certified Public Accountant (CPA} and who has at least four (4} years of progressively responsible professional auditing experience OR an auditor with at least 5 years of progressively responsible professional auditing experience.

• Working knowledge of auditing, accounting, management, and finance principles including, but not limited to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.

• Strong analytical, problem solving, and interpersonal skills.

• Demonstrated skills using technology and various software applications.

• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.

• Adheres to the highest degree of professional and ethical standards and behavior that centers upon honesty, integrity, and objectivity.

• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and experience promoting inclusive excellence.

• Commitment to higher education and the mission of the university.

• Experience in a higher education environment is preferred.

Additional Requirements (SPS)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• This position requires a management and internal control systems examination and evaluation expert, who possesses the knowledge and skills essential to the performance of internal audits and the management of the internal audit department.

• Specialized knowledge and proficiency in applying internal auditing standards, procedures, and techniques in situations likely to be encountered and to deal with them without extensive recourse to technical research and assistance.

• Proficiency in accounting principles and techniques to work with financial records and reports without extensive recourse to technical research and assistance.

• An understanding of management principles to recognize and evaluate the materiality and significance of deviations from good business practice and to be able to carry out the research necessary to arrive at reasonable solutions.

• An appreciation of fundamentals of economics, commercial law, taxation, finance, quantitative methods, and computerized information systems to recognize the existence of problems or potential problems and to determine the further research to be undertaken or the assistance to be obtained.

• Thorough understanding of risks and controls in business processes including information technology and demonstrated ability to direct and/or conduct financial and operational audits.

• Maintaining proficiency and technical competence through continuing education about improvements and current developments in internal auditing standards, procedures, and techniques. Continuing education may be obtained through membership and participation in professional organizations, attending appropriate conferences or seminars, and completing college courses.

Preferred Qualifications (SPS)

• Master's Degree

• Experience working within higher education audit

Physical demands/requirements