Director of Internal Audit

We are a Firm where people truly believe in what they do and strive to achieve the highest standards of performance and success.

This position is based in the Firm's global operations center in Tampa, FL.

General Description:

Holland & Knight’s Director of Internal Audit (“DIA”) role has been created to provide an independent, objective assurance and internal consulting function that will help the Firm improve its risk management, compliance, and operational performance.  The DIA will help the Firm maintain a high level of financial integrity, operating efficiency, and compliance across its offices. The DIA will exhibit the objectivity, judgment, and professionalism described by The Institute of Internal Auditors’ (IIA) International Professional Practices Framework. The role reports to the General Counsel (“GC”) and the Chief Operating Officer (“COO”).

Regular guidance to the DIA will be provided by both the GC (primarily relating to compliance audits) and the COO (primarily relating to financial, efficiency, and information systems audits). To facilitate coordination and prioritization, the DIA will meet jointly with the GC and COO on a quarterly or more frequent basis to review progress and plans, and will also have access as needed to the Firm’s Chair and CEO.

In addition to these day-to-day reporting lines, the DIA may also contact the Firm’s elected Chair of the Directors Committee in the event there are sensitive issues to raise outside of the Firm’s formal reporting structure. In this hybrid position, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues both in person and virtually.

Key Responsibilities and Essential Job Functions:

Enterprise Risk Assessment

• Develop and annually update an enterprise risk assessment (“ERA”) document that identifies potential risks across the Firm, analyzes their probability and potential impact, and prioritizes them for internal audit attention. This will require advance consultation with the GC, COO, and Firm leadership, among others, and sensitive handling of the confidential assessment results.
• Utilize the ERA as a key input to developing a proposed internal audit plan that will be discussed first with the GC and COO and then coordinate with the Firm’s external auditors to achieve overall audit effectiveness, efficiency, and audit cost savings. 

Financial Audits

• Conduct internal audits of the Firm’s financial policies, controls, and guidelines to identify any control weaknesses and/or reporting irregularities.
• Develop Limited Scope Review Procedures for higher risk areas (e.g., accounts payable, treasury, cash application, time/expense reporting)
• Perform testing, document audit findings, and prepare recommendations. Create a report for each financial audit describing the approach, scope, findings, recommendations, and management responses from the CFO and/or other responsible parties. Share all reports with the GC and COO.

Operational Efficiency and Information Systems Audits

• Plan operational efficiency and information systems audits and prioritize that work in consultation with the COO, taking into consideration the results of the ERA, any third-party reviews, and other factors.
• Evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of internal controls, processes, and procedures.
• Recommend improvements to enhance performance and risk management. Create a report for each operational efficiency and information systems audit describing the approach, scope, findings, recommendations, and management responses from the relevant department heads or others. Share all reports with the GC and COO.
• Document findings, recommendations, and management responses, and monitor implementation of recommended changes.

Compliance Reviews

• Evaluate compliance with the Firm’s established policies and procedures.
• Plan compliance reviews and prioritize that work in consultation with the GC, taking into consideration the results of the ERA and other factors.
• Evaluate compliance and present results in compliance audit reports that outline the approach, scope, findings, recommendations and management responses from the responsible parties. Share all reports with the GC and COO.
• Issue internal audit reports of findings, obtain responses to each finding from the responsible party(ies), and monitor implementation of recommended changes.

Other

• Lead, plan, execute, and follow up on special projects requested by the GC, COO, and/or the Chair and CEO.
• Comply with the Institute of Internal Auditors’ Code of Ethics, which outlines rules of internal audit conduct pertaining to integrity, objectivity, confidentiality, and competency.
• Consult with the GC on proposed internal audit activities so that the GC can determine whether to involve the Legal Department from the onset to protect Attorney-Client Privilege.
• Consult in advance with the GC and/or COO when projects will require additional resources.

Required Skills:

• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Outstanding communication skills, including active listening, clear and concise writing, and professional speaking. Ability to adapt communication style as needed to address a variety of audiences. Ability to clearly document work.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Thorough understanding of general ledger accounting, internal controls, and auditing principles and practices.
• Ability to assess the efficiency, effectiveness, and overall performance of the Firm’s operations. Skilled in identifying the need for process changes, recommending improvements, and documenting the recommendations.
• Familiarity with relevant legal/regulatory requirements and ability to assess compliance (in consultation with the GC as needed).
• Demonstrated ability to produce results under time constraints.
• Requisite integrity and discretion to work with confidential / sensitive information.
• Experience with technology applications such as email, spreadsheets, word processing programs, internet, general ledger, etc.
• Experience with enterprise risk management practices, models, and documentation.
• Work effectively as an “individual contributor” in most cases with little or no staff assistance.
• Able to work collaboratively and build productive, trusting work relationships, notwithstanding that the nature of the role is to identify weaknesses for colleagues to address.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, especially Excel.

Required Qualifications & Education:

• 8+ years of progressively responsible professional auditing experience as an internal or external auditor, including financial audits, operational audits, information systems audits, and compliance reviews.
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field.
• Thorough knowledge of audit principles, practices, and methodologies, including a deep understanding of audit principles that govern objectivity and independence.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
• Willingness to learn and develop in the field of internal audit and to pursue other professional certifications such as Certified Internal Auditor, Certified Fraud Examiner, Certified Information Systems Auditor, Six Sigma certification, and Project Management Professional.

Preferred Qualifications & Education:

• Experience with cash basis and/or modified cash basis accounting.
• Public accounting experience from a Big Four or similar firm and/or law firm experience is strongly preferred.
• Spanish language skills preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Travel to the Firm’s offices for in-person internal audit work on a rotational basis and as requested by the GC, COO, and/or Chair and CEO.
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time.
• Ability to review online and hard copy documentation.
• Moderate or advanced keyboard usage.

Benefits: Our goal is to promote a work environment in which individuals have access to the resources they need to be their best both professionally and personally, which includes resources that encourage individuals to focus on their health and well-being.

Below is a list of just some of the benefits we offer: comprehensive medical (PPO and HDHPs), dental and vision plans including coverage for domestic partners; life and AD&D insurance; short and long term disability insurance; tax-advantaged accounts for health care expenses, including FSAs and HSAs; FSAs for dependent care; health advocacy services; behavioral health and counseling resources for all family members; 401(k); profit sharing; pre-tax transit and parking program; backup dependent care; senior care planning support; resources for individuals with development disabilities and their caregivers; and paid holidays and other paid time off, including paid leave for new parents.

Benefits may vary by position and office.

Holland & Knight is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related conditions, transgender status, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status or any other factor prohibited by law.

Personal Information collected from applicants will be used for the purpose of processing the application throughout any recruitment or employment process, as well as inclusion in a personnel file. Categories of data collected may include name, address, phone numbers, email, Social Security Number, and signature. Holland & Knight may collect further information if you consent to a background check. This includes criminal background, employment, and certifications. Please visit Legal Information Portal for Holland & Knight LLP’s privacy policies.