Personal Independence Compliance Auditor, Associate

Personal Independence Compliance Auditor, Associate

Risk Management supports our people in managing the risks that arise during our daily working lives. We work closely with all parts of the organization to identify, manage, and monitor risk, providing coordinated advice and assistance on independence, conflicts, compliance, regulatory, policy, security issues, as well as dealing with claims and any queries regarding ethics.

The opportunity 

We are operating in an increasingly connected world which is changing how to manage risk. With fast-paced technology advancements, new innovations in emerging technologies, and an ever-challenging regulatory environment, it is business critical for our organization to identify not only the risks but the opportunities these present to us.  As Independence Compliance Audit Associate, you'll be responsible for auditing the personal financial independence of EY personnel thereby helping to mitigate this area of risk for the firm.

This position requires a general understanding of audit principles; and is responsible for learning Independence policies and procedures, determining required actions to standard situations and making recommendations based on firm guidance and professional standards. As the work product may be subject to review and scrutiny by outside regulators, you'll be responsible for reviewing and analyzing highly sensitive information and documenting the diligence with which tasks were performed and the conclusions reached.

• As a Personal Independence Compliance Auditor you will be responsible for following an audit program that stipulates the reviewing of financial interests and relationships of selected EY professionals including their securities and other investments, bank accounts, loans, insurance policies, etc.  The audit is designed to determine if the auditee provided the required self-disclosures in the firm’s monitoring system and if the auditee complied with firm policies and various regulatory pronouncements. This is determined through review of tax returns, account statements and other auditee disclosures.
• As a compliance auditor, you must meet audit productivity and quality requirements, manage your workload, and be prepared to communicate with PICT associates at all levels on issues noted, the status of your work, etc.
• Interaction with auditees of all ranks, up to and including partners, is a regular facet of the role. In addition, this position requires knowledge that has been expanded through exposure to diverse situations and requires the ability to provide counsel or guidance on standard matters and contribute to discussions on highly complex matters. 
• This position works independently with periodic feedback, taking responsibility for performing audits, conducting necessary research  and auditee outreach as required. You'll be expected to interface with EY personnel at all levels and must be able to demonstrate knowledge of compliance audit protocols and communicate processes, identifying issues and proposing solutions and conclusions. 
• The Independence Compliance Associate position requires independent decision-making skills in evaluating documentation for completeness, evaluating the allowability of investments and ensuring appropriate workpaper documentation to support conclusions. This position responds to or works on standard to highly complex non-standard matters that may deviate substantially from the norm. You will gain the knowledge and experience to appropriately determine if/when to escalate issues that require additional review by more senior team members to obtain the correct resolution. 
• This position requires auditor judgment on financial interest/relationship matters and an understanding of key requirements of firm Independence policies as well as regulator's independence rules. You'll reference existing policies and knowledge and experience to review situations, investigate matters through consultation and through inquiry of the auditee and propose resolutions as appropriate.

Your key responsibilities

• Understand and apply knowledge of key requirements of firm policies including the reporting requirements embedded in the Independence Confirmation as well as regulators' independence pronouncements.
• Document work processes and findings appropriately in accordance with the audit program.
• Communicate effectively and appropriately with auditees to clarify and/or obtain additional information. Cleary document and discuss open items, provide guidance, answer questions, and address questions and concerns.
• Facilitate and drive the process to completion by following up on requests to auditees and obtained required documents and/or explanations
• Propose suggestions and solutions for improvements and/or develop deliverables by leveraging audit knowledge, firm experience, and existing Q&RM processes
• Manage tasks and activities in a timely manner and support colleagues to meet their deadlines
• Maintain and expand knowledge of financial instruments and relationships and communicate new developments and resulting impacts to PICT associates
• Develop relationships and build a network of people within Q&RM and across the firm through regular interaction
• Meet monthly audit productivity requirements while contributing to additional projects to support the needs and goals of the team as assigned.
• Exercise judgment in how to accomplish the objectives of designated projects or parts of projects
• Overtime will be required throughout the year and will vary based on volume of work in the pipeline

Skills and attributes for success

• Good interpersonal and responsive customer service skills
• Strong oral and written communications skills
• Able to develop a broad knowledge of the firm and its practices
• Able to successfully manage multiple workstreams and tasks
• Good working knowledge of computers and common software packages
• Experience performing internal or compliance audits is ideal but not required
• Organizational skills and strong attention to detail
• Problem solving and research skills
• Exercise high levels of discretion as entrusted with highly sensitive and confidential data
• Flexibility

To qualify, you must have

• 1+ years related work experience but will consider recent graduates as well

• Bachelor's degree; or equivalent work experience
• Ability to work in the Philadelphia office in a hybrid schedule

What we look for 

We’re interested in people that will take responsibility for complex Risk Management/Independence projects or significant aspects of highly complex projects.