Senior Independent Auditor

SANDAG Independent Performance Audit Function 

On January 1, 2018, a new California Assembly Bill (AB 805) required the creation of the Audit Committee and an independent performance auditor position.

Under general administrative direction of the Board of Directors and Audit Committee, the OIPA has the authority to conduct performance audits of all departments, offices, boards, activities, and programs of the consolidated agency. Performance audits are conducted in compliance with generally accepted government auditing standards (GAGAS). The OIPA also reviews compliance with the agency’s administrative policies, procedures, and local, state and federal regulations including reviews of funding, revenue streams, capital programs, expenditures, enterprise risk management, public bid process, transportation, and other regional planning programs and initiatives that impact the region. 

The OIPA serves as the Board of Directors’ oversight function that objectively evaluates and recommends improvements to SANDAG operations.  OIPA prioritizes its efforts through an annual objective risk assessment and by continually monitoring concerns and trends from the Whistleblower Hotline Program. The OIPA is also the official body of SANDAG to investigate allegations of potential fraud, waste, abuse, and gross mismanagement identified by SANDAG staff or other stakeholders. 

Role

Under the general direction of the Deputy Independent Performance Auditor and the Independent Performance Auditor (IPA) Courtney Ruby, the Senior Independent Auditor performs and coordinates performance audits and reviews of SANDAG activities and programs.

• Perform and plan a variety of complex administrative, operational, financial, performance, and management audits of agency activities, functions, services, and programs; provide technical and complex assistance to the Deputy Independent Performance Auditor.
• Plan and perform audit activities, coordinating with other departments, outside agencies and organizations.
• Schedule and prepare agendas for engagement entrance and exit conferences; assist in preparing audit plans including detailed work programs; determine appropriate audit procedures to achieve audit objectives; ensure procedures and analytical techniques are in accordance with established generally accepted government auditing standards (GAGAS).
• Review laws, policies, best practices, regulations, contracts, and previous audit reports; perform interviews of appropriate officials, representatives, and contractors; make observations of operations and activities in the field.
• Prepare reports that summarize analyses of complex organizational issues, discuss agency vulnerabilities, and recommend solutions to issues or problems identified in the course of an audit.
• Mentor, train, and support career development opportunities for a team of audit staff; oversee and coordinate projects assigned to the team; review and evaluate work products, methods, and procedures.

• Bachelor’s degree with major course work in public or business administration, public policy, accounting, finance, or a related field. A master’s degree is highly desirable.
• A minimum of five years of increasingly professional auditing experience in the areas of administration, operations, finance, performance or management, preferably for a public agency. One year of work experience must have been performed in a senior or lead capacity. 
• Possession of a professional certification such as Certified Public Accountant, Certified Fraud Examiner, Certified Internal Auditor, etc., is desirable.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the principles, practices, and standards of governmental auditing.
• Demonstrated experience with the methods of organizational analysis including program evaluation, operational auditing, financial auditing, and cost-benefit analysis.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration, including budgeting, purchasing, risk management, human resources management, public contracting, and maintenance of public records; knowledge of standard public agency methodologies and strategies used in the procurement of services; knowledge and understanding of pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Capacity to establish, maintain, and foster cooperative and collaborative professional working relationships with auditees; ability to gain cooperation and consensus through discussion and persuasion.
• Demonstrated ability to apply the Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing, the Government Auditing Standards, and the Code of Ethics developed by the Institute of Internal Auditors. Ability to exercise expert independent judgement within broad policy and procedural guidelines.
• Experience performing data (financial/statistical/comparative) analyses; knowledge of the tools, techniques, formula, and software used for statistical analysis and data management including Audit Command Language (ACL) or other data analytics tools.
• Outstanding written and oral presentation skills and the ability to effectively communicate to a variety of audiences; ability to prepare clear and concise administrative, technical, and informational reports. Demonstrated ability to analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement audit recommendations.
• Experience providing technical expertise and evaluating the work of staff auditors; experience providing administrative and technical leadership and direction/evaluation.
• The final candidate selected for this position must successfully pass a pre-employment criminal background check and credit check. 

Salary : $87,797 - $136,094