Chief Internal Auditor

The Arizona Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS) is currently seeking qualified candidates for the position of Chief Internal Auditor. The Chief Internal Auditor reports functionally to the Board of Trustees via the Administration (Audit) Committee and administratively to the PSPRS Administrator.

The Chief Internal Auditors duties are to plan perform and direct audits for the Board of Trustees and the Administrator to promote operational efficiency and effectiveness and to provide assurance that the System is in compliance with its internal policies procedures laws regulations and terms of its contracts. Additionally the Chief Internal Auditor is responsible for conducting employer and local board compliance audits. The Chief Internal Auditor leads a professional staff of two auditors.

Duties include but are not limited to conducting an annual risk assessment developing and implementing an annual internal audit plan and preparing formal reports for presentation to the Board of Trustees Administration (Audit) Committee and the Administrator.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely within Arizona based upon the departments business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility autonomy and trust. Across our many agencies boards and commissions many State employees participate in the States Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes in offices and in hoteling spaces. All work including remote work should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

Act as the primary point of contact for the Administrator for handling all matters related to audits examinations investigations or inquiries of the Auditor Generals Office and any and all external auditors and consultants associated with audits to ensure deliverables meet auditor compliance and risk standards.
Plans performs and directs financial compliance and operational audits of agency functions programs and contracts including oversight of contracted audits.
Perform independent analyses of significant operations to evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of existing systems of internal control and the quality of performance (economy efficiency and effectiveness) in carrying out its business objectives.
As appropriate in maintaining independence of the Internal Audit Office provide advisory services to management that add value and improve the agencys governance risk management and control processes.
Complete special requests or projects as directed by the Board of Trustees or Administrator.
Supervises employees and coordinates personnel-related activities.
Attend monthly meetings with the Board of Trustees and their subcommittees and report on the progress and findings of the Internal Audit function.
Perform an annual enterprise-wide risk assessment and develop and administer the annual Internal Audit plan using a risk-based methodology and assure compliance with auditing standards and guidelines.
Conduct audit follow-up to monitor and report on the status of management actions including effective implementation or senior management acceptance of risk.

Implement a quality assurance and improvement program. Obtain an external assessment no less frequently than every five years.
Manage the Internal Audit function annual budget and make related budget recommendations.

Knowledge of:
Audit standards techniques and principals
Audit supervisory principles and practices
Report writing skills
Federal state and departmental policies and procedures
Arizona Revised Statues
Institutional investment principles practices and regulations
Data analytics techniques and software
Common computer software (Microsoft Office including Excel Word Outlook PowerPoint)

Skill in:
Planning prioritizing organizing budgeting and directing an audit program.
Working and communicating with others from a staff level to the top management levels
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Planning supervising and/or conducting a financial compliance and/or operational audit in an entity operating in a complex environment
Analyzing a variety of information including financial accounting and other business operations and systems
Interpreting accounting principles at a complex level

Ability to:
Plan supervise and conduct a financial compliance and/or operational audit in an entity operating in a complex multi-automated environment and analyze a variety of information including accounting investment information technology and operational
Problem Solve: Assess processes identify areas for improvement and recommend solutions
Critical Thinker:
o Look beyond the immediate explanation to identify possible areas for additional review
o Analyze and interpret the audit work of others
Take Initiative: Identify anomalies and inconsistencies
Collaborative: Work in both a team environment and independently
Public Speaker: Communicate findings and recommendations to the process owners management and the Board of Trustees
Results Oriented: Perform reviews addressing internal control issues of PSPRS policies and procedures

Bachelors or Masters Degree from an accredited college or university with specialization in accounting auditing business administration or related field.
Certified Public Accountant Certified Internal Auditor or Certified Information Systems Auditor.
Professional experience as a lead auditor for a public pension large fund financial institutions or similar organization.
The Chief Internal Auditor is the primary auditor for the System and requires significant demonstrated experience performing audits independently.
Familiarity and understanding of institutional investments and/or pension plans.
Familiarity with data analytics.

Employment is contingent on the selected applicant passing a background investigation to include credit and criminal history.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

At PSPRS we promote the importance of work/life balance by offering workplace flexibility a learning environment and a team-oriented culture. Among the many benefits of a career with PSPRS are 10 paid holidays per year accrual of sick and annual leave affordable medical benefits participation in the Arizona State Retirement Plan (after 6 months of employment) optional participation in a 457 deferred compensation program and employer matching on employee deferrals in the 457 plan (limited to a matching of 6% of salary on a per pay period basis).

For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona please visit our benefits page

Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). Please note that for individuals new to ASRS enrollment eligibility becomes effective after 27 weeks of employment. Currently the employee and employer contribution rate is set at 11.98% per pay period on a pre-tax basis.

If you have any questions please contact Andrew Goodwin at or for assistance. The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.