The Director of Internal Audit (DIA) serves as the strategic and collaborative leader of the Internal Audit Department and reports to the Chief Administrative Officer in the Division of Finance and Administration and is the internal audit liaison to the Board of Trustees. The DIA is responsible for managing and overseeing all aspects of the internal audit function, including financial compliance, risk assessment, audit planning, execution, reporting, and follow-up for all USA entities (including USA Health). The DIA ensures that internal audit activities are conducted in accordance with professional standards, regulatory requirements, and organizational policies.
University and Region
USA Health serves as the major referral center for residents in southwest Alabama, southeast Mississippi, and portions of northwest Florida. Beginning with the founding of the USA College of Medicine in 1973, USA Health is the only academic medical center along the upper Gulf Coast. The health system includes University Hospital, Children’s & Women’s Hospital, Providence Hospital, the Mitchell Cancer Institute, the Physician Enterprise, and the Whiddon College of Medicine. USA Health melds clinical care, research and healthcare education into the most advanced medical care in the region.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities
- Develops and maintains productive team-oriented client and staff relationships;
- Leads a team of professional staff including: determines departmental priorities and assign projects, matches employee skills with audit engagements, approves audit work plans, methods & procedures, and determines the overall scope of audit engagements;
- Reviews work for quality and conformance to departmental policy and audit standards;
- Ensures training and coaching for professional development;
- Leads the risk assessment process and creates the risk-based annual internal audit plan working to achieve engagement deadlines to ensure completion of the audit plan. Monitors and evaluates changes in the organization’s risk profile and adjust the audit plan accordingly;
- Collaborates with university leadership and other stakeholders to ensure audit priorities are aligned with organizational goals and objectives;
- Coordinates external audit assistance work and NCAA agreed-upon procedures as needed;
- Maintains all organizational and professional ethical standards and ensures all internal audit activities are in compliance with the IIA’s International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing (Standards);
- Fosters open and effective communication channels with the Board of Trustees Audit Committee, ensuring mandatory elements of the Internal Auditors’ International Professional Practices Framework are appropriately reported;
- Leads the ongoing process of departmental improvement as part of the Quality Improvement and Assessment Process (QAIP);
- Mediates conflicts with engagement stakeholders;
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Pursues professional development opportunities;
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Serves on organizational project teams or committees as needed;
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Performs related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in accounting, business, or a directly related field from an accredited institution;
- Progressive experience in internal audit, with a proven track record of leadership and success;
- Certification as a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Healthcare Internal Audit Professional (CHIAP) or Certified Public Accountant (CPA);
- Strong knowledge of auditing principles, practices, and standards, as well as regulatory requirements;
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
- Demonstrated ability to think strategically, manage complex projects, and drive change;
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills;
- Proficient in MS Office suite (Word, Excel and PowerPoint, etc.).
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in healthcare or higher education;
- Experience in data analytics;
- Experience with audit software, especially K10.
Nomination and Application Process
The Search Committee invites letters of nomination, applications (letter of interest, full resume/CV, and contact information of at least five references), or expressions of interest to be submitted to the search firm by January 2, 2024. Review of materials will begin immediately and continue until the appointment is made. For additional information, please contact:
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