What are the responsibilities and job description for the Franchise Compliance Auditor position at Bickham Services Unlimited, LLC?
Franchise Compliance Auditor
Location: Houston, TX (Hybrid/Remote as Required)
Contract Duration: Project-Based
Job Summary:
Our client is seeking experienced Franchise Compliance Auditors to conduct audits and compliance reviews for the Administration and Regulatory Affairs Department (ARA). The selected auditors will be responsible for ensuring compliance with franchise agreements, state and local laws, and financial reporting requirements for various service providers, including Certificated Telecommunications Providers, commercial solid waste transporters and haulers, cable/video service providers, and electric and natural gas providers.
Key Responsibilities:
- Conduct franchise fee audits to verify adherence to the financial and reporting requirements outlined in franchise agreements.
- Review relevant sections of the Houston Code of Ordinances and applicable federal, state, and county orders to ensure compliance.
- Examine franchise agreements approved by the City Council, endorsed by the Mayor, and accepted by franchisees.
- Analyze the financial reporting and records of audited companies, reconciling fee payments and revenue reporting with actual receipts to the City.
- Verify the accuracy and completeness of the City’s fee receipts against franchisee-reported data.
- Identify and document any discrepancies, errors, or omissions in financial reporting and ensure appropriate corrective actions.
- Assess trends in fee reporting quarter-to-quarter and year-to-year, identifying potential variances or delinquencies.
- Develop comprehensive reports with audit findings, including confirmed errors, applicable penalties, and revenue recovery opportunities.
- Present audit results to City officials and stakeholders, providing supporting documentation and justifications.
- Recommend strategies for improving franchise fee reporting compliance and addressing identified deficiencies.
- Develop an audit framework to enhance oversight and future compliance monitoring.
Qualifications & Requirements:
- Extensive experience in financial auditing, regulatory compliance, and municipal finance.
- In-depth knowledge of franchise agreements, revenue compliance, and Texas statutes related to franchise fees.
- Strong understanding of government finance, utility regulation, and telecommunications/cable industry compliance.
- Proficiency in reviewing municipal codes, legal agreements, and financial statements.
- Excellent analytical, investigative, and problem-solving skills.
- Strong report writing and presentation abilities to effectively communicate findings.
- Experience working with local or state government entities preferred.
Project Deliverables:
- Comprehensive audit reports detailing financial compliance findings, errors, and recommended corrective actions.
- Documented variances in fee reporting and payments with supporting evidence.
- Recommendations for improved financial oversight and compliance enforcement.
- Detailed reconciliation reports of franchisee-reported revenue versus City receipts.
- Presentation of findings to City officials and relevant stakeholders.
