The main purpose of this role is to lead and manage the Internal Audit team to ensure effective and timely delivery of the Internal Audit Annual Plan, approved by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. The Internal Audit activity is agreed upon and coordinated collectively with the Internal Audit Iberdrola Group based in Spain and members of the Group Audit Team in other countries within the overall framework of the Groups Basic Internal Audit Regulations, and this role actively leads those activities. This role reports to the Vice President of Avangrid Internal Audit & Risk.
Employee has access to Avangrid’s company records, properties, and personnel; freedom to appraise policies, plans, procedures, and records relevant to the subjects under audit and review; make recommendations to strengthen controls, improve operating effectiveness, and increase efficiency.
MAJOR ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provides input to the development and approval process of the Internal Audit Annual Plan.
- Effectively plans, organizes, and delivers the Internal Audit Plan through coordination and management of Audit resources.
- Assists in the recruitment, development, supervision, review, mentoring, and training of the audit staff. This includes supervision of the work of the assigned staff to ensure that work is performed in accordance with professional standards.
- Develops and maintains effective working relationships with management of the Operating Companies to facilitate effective and value-added audit activity and builds partnerships with auditees.
- Reviews all internal departmental processes on an ongoing basis and implements process improvements where appropriate.
- Works with Business Executives to improve efficiency and internal controls of the Business areas.
- Ensures the Company’s SOX internal controls are executed and tested according to the Company’s plans and regulatory requirements.
- Supervises ongoing audits, identifies critical control issues, and recommends corrective actions.
- Manages communications of findings, conclusions, and recommendations to senior management. Communications include formal, written reports as well as presentations and follows up on management actions. Ensures that audit reports clearly communicate risks, conclusions, audit findings, and recommendations.
- Assesses the adequacy of management’s plans for addressing and correcting audit findings and issues. Provides monitoring, reporting and review of the status of outstanding audit findings.
- Periodically works with a diverse global team on specific multi-national audits or requests.
- Attends relevant auditing and accounting technical training to continue to improve knowledge and education.
- Provides assistance and guidance to the external auditors, when applicable, to ensure efficiency and effectiveness.
Skills, Knowledge, & Experience:
Education Required:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Management, or a related field of study.
Experience Required:
- 10+ years of progressive experience in Auditing, Accounting, Risk Management, or other related work experience.
- Graduate level education or equivalent in Finance/ Accounting/ Business.
- Appropriate professional qualification (Certified Internal Auditor or Certified Public Accountant is preferred).
- Extensive experience with operating at a senior level in an Internal Audit department of a multinational and/or listed company; alternatively, extensive, and wide-ranging experience (preferably in a variety of industrial sectors) of operating in an external audit environment.
- Proven people leadership, team building, and management experience.
- Track record of effective negotiation and conflict resolution.
Required Technical Knowledge:
- Accounting standards (US GAAP) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
- International Internal Audit professional rules
- Internal Control Methodology (COSO Model)
- Corporate Governance Rules
- Risk Management
Complexity and Creativity:
- Management of relationships at senior level in potentially sensitive situations.
- Maintenance of such relationships in the face of having to provide constructive criticism of Business control processes.
- Use of objective criteria or evidence to provide the rationale for any requirement to change Business control processes.
Judgment and Decisions:
- Capacity to use judgment and agility when there is a difference of opinion about an audit report or recommendation.
Other Requirements / Personal Qualities:
- Enthusiastic with ability to motivate a team, showing passion for the future of the Company and inspiring others.
- Understanding of operating as part of a large multinational Group.
- Flexible and yet rigorous approach to working with others.
- Business orientation and results driven.
