09/30/2011 03640

EXECUTIVE AUDIT SPECIALIST

DEFINITION: This is advanced professional work in the auditing of organizations, programs, activities and functions in the Governor’s Office of the Budget, Office of Comptroller Operations.

An employee in this job independently performs financial and performance audits, attestation engagements, and provides non-audit services as a result of a Commonwealth-wide enterprise risk assessment of all agencies under the Governor’s jurisdiction. Work includes either independently conducting low and medium risk audits that involve analyzing, evaluating and reporting on the effectiveness of financial and operational management controls, or assisting an Executive Senior Audit Specialist in complex and high risk audit work. Independent assignments that are of low to medium complexity and can encompass any of the Commonwealth’s funds, programs, activities, operations, information systems, grants, or services under the Governor’s jurisdiction. Work in this job series is distinguished from the Commonwealth’s Audit Specialist job series based on a comprehensive risk-based approach of assessing risk across all agencies under the Governor. Work involves identifying fraudulent or abusive accounting practices, areas for cost savings, cost recoveries, and operational improvements throughout the Commonwealth. Work is performed in accordance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations as well as generally accepted accounting and auditing principles and standards. Work is performed under general supervision with supervisory guidance being provided in unusual and exceptional situations. Completed audits are reviewed by a professional supervisor for conformance to established policies, procedures, standards and timeframes, and for the validity of conclusions and recommendations.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Assesses the extent to which low and medium risk Commonwealth programs are operating effectively and intended goals and objectives are being achieved.

Performs enterprise-wide risk assessments and risk assessments of medium risk agencies or functional areas and assists in high risk and complex assessments for large agencies or complex functional areas.

Reviews ERP and medium risk agency information systems’ general controls including security management, environmental controls, physical and logical access, segregation of duties, change management, network communications, and continuity planning.

Reviews ERP and medium risk agency information systems’ application controls including: processing controls; input and output controls; error correction; balancing controls; monitoring; and interfaces to and from other distributed applications, data management, and operation procedures.

Facilitates control self assessments to assist management in evaluating multi-agency and Commonwealth processes and functions; assist management in attaining objectives by identifying risks and controls and recommending revised or additional controls and process improvements.

Leads audits that range from low to medium risk and complexity where the scope, methodology and client needs are well defined.

Assists an Executive Senior Audit Specialist on complex and high risk audit work.

Performs data mining techniques and applies analytical methods, such as determining patterns, trends, or irregularities, benchmarking, synthesizing information and drawing conclusions using audit software tools.

Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

An employee in this job may participate in the performance of subordinates’ work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and practices.

Knowledge of generally accepted auditing standards.

Knowledge of computerized accounting and auditing techniques.

Knowledge of auditing sampling techniques used to select, test and evaluate data.

Ability to read and interpret procedures, agreements, contracts, policies, legislation, rules and regulations controlling the activity being audited to determine compliance.

Ability to analyze and interpret transactions maintained and reported through information systems.

Ability to communicate effectively orally.

Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: One year as an Executive Financial Associate;

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One year of professional auditing experience and a bachelor's degree including 24 credits in accounting;

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An equivalent combination of experience and training that included one year of professional auditing experience and completion of 24 college credits in accounting.