Job Description
The Senior Internal Auditor conducts audit, advisory and consulting services that provide assurance on critical Company enterprise risks. It executes Internal Audit’s engagement activities over financial reporting/SOX 404 processes utilized to prepare Darden’s consolidated financial statements and/or operational processes that relate directly to the Company’s strategic priorities and enterprise risks. Audit and or consulting coverage includes various financial reporting, Company/functional policies and procedures, operational, vendor, compliance, fraud, and governance-related matters.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
-Perform financial audits of Darden business functions to assess compliance with technical accounting and financial reporting guidance, Company/functional policies and procedures, and other regulatory requirements, including SOX and PCAOB standards
-Perform operational, vendor, compliance, fraud and governance-related audits and advisory services
-Utilize a risk-based approach to set the scope engagements that considers cross-functional input and leverage of second lines of defense
-Help develop and execute test plans that assess the design and operating effectiveness of controls needed to address operational/compliance objectives and/or internal controls over financial reporting guidance
-Work collaboratively and cross-functionally to identify enterprise opportunities, process mapping and other improvement recommendations that drive value for the business function
Provide audit and liaison assistance to independent auditors in the performance of their external audits of Darden’s financial statements (e.g., integrated audit, employee benefit plan audits, etc.)
-Research technical accounting or regulatory guidance as needed
-Ensure the nature, extent and timing of audit procedures allows for effective and efficient audit of assigned areas, including leveraging technology, data analytics and continuous audit techniques where appropriate
-Prepare audit work papers, final reports and other deliverables in accordance with relevant audit standards
-Assist in communicating engagement results/recommendations to management, independent auditors, vendors, etc.
-Tailor communications and engagement findings/recommendations to various audiences
-Evaluate the adequacy of management action plans needed to address engagement recommendations and follow up regularly with action item owners to help ensure eventual remediation
-Prepare financial reporting-related materials for Disclosure Committee purposes members
-Support Darden ERM facilitation activities designed to proactively identify and respond to evolving enterprise risks/opportunities
-Help prepare and/or coordinate Audit Committee meeting materials for distribution to Audit Committee and senior management
-Provide thought leadership and personal development for team and business partners
-Utilize appropriate benchmarking, technology and similar tools (such as continuous auditing, data analytics, sampling and audit management software, etc.) that enhance the audit efficiency and effectiveness of the Internal Audit function
-Use technology (continuous auditing, analytics, RPA, IDEA, TeamMate, etc.) to enhance the effectiveness of the Internal Audit function
Participate in periodic Internal Audit function quality assessment and improvement initiatives
-As necessary, travel domestically/internationally to perform/lead select engagement projects (expected to be less than four weeks per year)
REQUIRED TECHNICAL SKILLS
-Certified Public Accountant
-Minimum of three (3) to four (4) years in public accounting and auditing, consulting or equivalent experience
-Experience in executing and documenting audit work associated with SOX/operational audit objectives
-Proven financial, analytical and risk assessment skills
REQUIRED EDUCATION
-Bachelor’s in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration (or related field)
OTHER KEY QUALIFICATIONS
-Self-starter, with good organizational skills
-Strong project management, agile thinking and self-leadership skills
-Ability to work independently and produce accurate, descriptive and timely results
-Excellent verbal and written communication skills
-Strong interpersonal, facilitation and consulting skills necessary to challenge the status quo
-Demonstrated flexibility and teamwork capabilities
-Strong documentation and executive report writing/presentation skills that drive strategic insights
-Critical thinking capacity, specifically with consideration to internal controls and their application to business processes and risk assessments
Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously and manage competing priorities
-Strong Microsoft Office skills
-Experience in developing and executing data sampling and analysis strategies
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
-CIA, CFE and/or similar certifications
-Master’s in Accounting, Finance, Engineering or Business Administration (or related field), a plus
-Proficiency in TeamMate, Oracle, PeopleSoft, Microstrategy Business Intelligence, Hyperion, and Discoverer applications, as well as data retrieval, sampling and analysis tools such as Alteryx, IDEA or ACL, a plus
-Restaurant, hospitality, and retail industry auditing experience a plus
-Process improvement, Lean, or Six Sigma certification or conceptual understanding a plus
