Director, Performance Audit

Title:  Director, Performance Audit                           Classification: Band 4

Organization: Office of the Auditor General               Work Unit:  Performance Audit and Related Assurance

 Supervisor title: Executive Director, Performance Audit           Supervisor Position #: 00112088

 

CONTEXT

The Office of the Auditor General of British Columbia serves the legislative assembly and, by extension, the people of British Columbia by providing independent assessments of government’s financial statements and operations that enhance government accountability and performance. The auditor general’s authority is derived from the Auditor General Act.

 

The work of the office spans all government ministries, as well as crown corporations, and the broader public sector. Reports resulting from direct assurance engagements are presented to the legislative assembly and are then made public.

 

JOB OVERVIEW

Reporting to an executive director, performance audit, the director is responsible for ensuring audits are designed and carried out in compliance with office policies, professional standards, and the office’s system of quality control. The director runs multiple, concurrent audits of government organizations, with considerable independence, and routinely makes informed professional judgements on complex technical and strategic audit issues.

 

When acting as the engagement leader the director, performance audit is responsible for the overall quality of the audit and makes recommendations to the assistant auditor general and auditor general on the scope and content of audit reports. Under the direction of the executive director, the director leads corporate initiatives that contribute to the management of the portfolio.

 

ACCOUNTABILITIES

  • Directs the planning, conducting, and reporting of concurrent audits and/or assessments of complex and sensitive topics, ensuring work meets professional standards and the office’s expectations for quality.
  • Oversees the development of proposals for audit topics to be included in the performance audit coverage plan.  
  • Maintains subject area expertise and represents the office with external stakeholders in assigned sectors (such as health, environment, or social services).
  • Builds and manages relationships with the audited entities from the initial planning stages, through audit delivery, and evaluation of the audit process.
  • When the director acts as an engagement leader, they have overall responsibility for the performance of assurance engagements including:  
    • The assignment of roles and responsibilities within the audit team.
    • Supervision and review of the underlying work.
    • Confirmation that the audit conclusions reached are based upon sufficient/appropriate evidence.
    • Recommending the scope content and issuance of the report to the auditor general and assistant auditor general.
    • Identification and management of threats to the team’s independence.
    • Ensuring that audit teams have the necessary competencies, capabilities, resources, and time to perform audits in accordance with professional standards.
    • Encouraging a culture of consultation, knowledge sharing and communication within the team.
    • Assisting the auditor general in presenting findings and recommendations before the public accounts committee of the legislature, senior management of public sector entities, and external audiences.
  • A director may also act in the role of an engagement quality control reviewer, providing an objective evaluation of significant judgements made and conclusions reached by an assurance team in formulating their report. 
  • Under the direction of the executive director, leads projects and tasks related to portfolio management, such as coverage planning, follow up, staff scheduling, workforce planning, and budget management.
  • Represents the office on external committees and working groups to share knowledge and promote improvement in performance audit practices.
  • Directly manages complex performance audits, as needed.
  • Supervises staff including assignment of work, development and evaluation of performance plans, approval of leave and disciplinary processes.

 

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience:

  • A post-graduate degree or equivalent credential1in a field related to the mandate of the office2, and a minimum of eight years of performance audit experience, including five years of experience managing performance audits3.

1Equivalent credential includes a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation, Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) certification with a bachelor’s degree, or law degree.

2Field related to the mandate of the Office includes business, accounting, law, economics, public administration, political science, environmental science, engineering, health, social sciences, transportation.

3Experience leading performance audit includes the following:

  • Management of performance audits in a public sector setting.
  • Experience leading audit teams, including providing direction, supervision, coaching, mentorship, and motivation to staff.
  • Project management, including project life cycle organization, planning, budgeting, execution, monitoring and controlling, communications management, risk management, and project closing.
  • Applying professional standards to guide the quality of audits.
  • Creating and delivering executive-level presentations for the purpose of decision making.
  • Preference may be given to experience working in a legislative audit office on performance audits.

Candidates must be willing and able to:

  • Be flexible regarding ongoing changes in responsibilities, assignments, and corporate structures.
  • Travel occasionally.

 

PROVISO

  • Successful completion of security screening requirements of the BC Public Service, which may include a criminal records check, and/or Criminal Records Review Act check, and/or enhanced security screening checks as required by the Office of the Auditor General.

 

 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Project and People Management

  • Ability to direct staff toward the achievement of results.
  • Ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects concurrently, ensuring projects achieve objectives, are completed within approved timelines/budget, and meet internal office policy and standards.
  • Ability to supervise, coach, motivate and mentor staff.
  • Ability to oversee contract management activities.
  • Ability to provide leadership in times of change.

 

Relationship Building

  • Ability to maintain the confidence of the auditor general by maintaining constructive relationships with auditees and external stakeholders.
  • Ability to collaborate with internal staff members to achieve results.
  • Ability to build a culture of inclusion and diversity.

 

Communications

  • Exceptional oral and written communication skills.
  • Ability to communicate in a clear, fair, and objective manner with auditees, team members and supervisors.
  • Ability to communicate strategically and prepare information for the media.

 

Audit Methods and Standards:

  • Knowledge of generally accepted auditing standards.
  • In-depth knowledge of CPA quality control and performance audits standards.
  • Ability to adapt methodology to changing circumstances while ensuring audit standards are met.
  • Ability to analyze and strategically address highly technical and complex audit issues.
  • Well-developed understanding of public administration.
  • In-depth knowledge of the role of independent offices of the legislative assembly and the mandate of the Office of the Auditor General.
  • Knowledge in a field related to the mandate of the office.

 

To be considered for this role candidates must submit a cover letter, qualifications matrix and resume to hr@bcauditor.com. We are accepting email applications until July 7, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. PDT

For more information about what the role entails, please contact LHatt@bcauditor.com.

Attachments

  • Job Profile
  • Qualifications Matrix

For more information, please see https://bcpublicservice.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/Posting/view/78134