Asta Vacancies

Vacancy: Head of Internal Audit

Date: 4th July 2019

Job Profile

Main purpose of job

To provide independent and objective assurance to the Executive and Audit Committee regarding the state of operations and risk / control environment of business operations managed or overseen by Asta and managed clients. Act as a trusted advisor to the Board and Executive Management in providing value-added services and proactive strategic advice.

Key tasks

1. Maintain the documented audit universe and draft an annual audit plan (with supporting documentation and discussion papers sufficient to enable the Audit Committee to approve the annual plan).
2. Ensure that the audit plan is aligned to the key risks and strategic priorities of the business.
3. Maintain an adequate understanding of current and emerging audit, business, regulatory, corporate governance and risk management issues to ensure these are incorporated on a timely basis into the audit plan where necessary.
4. Deliver the agreed annual audit plan using both internal and co-sourced resources. Oversee the scoping of each audit and communication of this to the business/managed syndicates, including managing the appropriate timing of audits.
5. Ensure all audit activities are undertaken in line with professional internal audit standards and regulatory requirements.
6. Ensure informative and timely reporting to both management and the Audit Committee on matters of governance, risk management and internal control. Attend the Audit Committee and any other Committees as appropriate.
7. Ensure that adequate management information is available for the business to identify and follow up in a timely manner where owners are not implementing agreed action points.
8. Support the embedding of effective risk management within the business. Through the internal audit process, assist senior management in monitoring the effectiveness of Risk Management activities. Co-operate with other managers involved in corporate governance, compliance and risk management functions to ensure effective coordination of all assurance functions both during the formulation of annual assurance plans and on an ongoing basis.
9. Manage all staff within the internal audit team, including ensuring that their development needs are met. Manage all co-source partners, ensuring that their work is of an adequate standard and managing the effectiveness of their audit approach and quality of their output.
10. Make appropriate use of technology to ensure the efficient management of internal audit activity and monitoring of actions.

Key personal skills required

1. Excellent influencing, networking and relationship management skills with the ability to establish good working relationships, both within the organisation, managed syndicates and external co-sourcing partners.
2. Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to address both senior management and senior syndicate technical staff, finance staff and small groups within the business.
3. The ability to analyse, interpret and present complex data effectively.
4. The ability and credibility to be able to take a stand on material issues to satisfy regulatory requirements and be independent and objective to the business.
5. Lateral thinking to be able to provide solutions to business issues.

Key technical skills, knowledge and professional qualifications required

1. Deep understanding of IIA Professional Standards and latest industry approaches and apply these to all audits.
2. Practical experience in working in Financial Services sector (preferably in Insurance including the Lloyd’s of London market).
3. Experience of working in a Professional Services auditing / consulting environment an advantage.
4. Experience of reviewing and editing technical reports sufficient to challenge and enter into discussions with Partners of co-sourcing entities.
5. Excellent report writing skills and ability to communicate complex issues clearly and concisely in writing, provide papers adequate to enable senior management, and in particular the Audit Committee, to adequately arrive at informed decisions and to monitor the activities of Internal Audit function.
6. IT (Microsoft Office) and the ability to adapt to the use of other appropriate IT tools as necessary.

To apply for this position please email Ann Bearwish, HR Director, a.bearwish@asta-uk.com

The deadline for applications is 12th July 2019.

Strictly no agency calls or emails please