Internal Audit Specialist

Company Overview

Recognized as a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Top Workplace for 14 consecutive years, including three years of being honored as number one! Join us at West Bend, where we believe that our associates are our greatest asset. We hire talented individuals who are conscientious, dedicated, customer focused, and able to build lasting relationships. We create and maintain an environment where you feel a sense of belonging and appreciation. Your diversity of thought, experience, and knowledge are valued. We’re committed to fostering a welcoming culture, offering you opportunities for meaningful work and professional growth. More than a workplace, we celebrate our successes and take pride in serving our communities.

Job Summary

The Internal Audit Specialist is an experienced auditor who leads complex financial and operational audits, provides day-to-day engagement oversight, and serves as a technical resource for audit staff. This role helps ensure audit work is well-planned, well-executed, and ready for manager review, without having direct people-management accountability. The Specialist also supports risk assessment, audit planning, stakeholder communication, and practical control improvement recommendations.

Work Location

Hybrid

This position offers a hybrid work schedule. Candidates who are located within 50 miles of a West Bend office location will work a hybrid schedule for collaboration days, team meetings or other in-person events. The position can be based in West Bend or Madison.

Responsibilities & Qualifications

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and execute financial and operational audit engagements from planning through reporting, ensuring audit work is risk-based, timely, well-documented, and aligned with professional standards. 
• Serve as a subject-matter expert in financial processes and core property & casualty (P&C) insurance operations, including underwriting, claims, reinsurance, reserving, investments, financial reporting, and enterprise support functions.
• Plan and conduct complex audits, which may include multiple departments, financial impact, regulatory compliance requirements, sophisticated systems and data, third-party relationships, or highly judgmental business processes.
• Confirm appropriate coverage of ERM and MAR risks and controls.
• Provide audit engagement oversight by monitoring progress, reviewing key audit deliverables, resolving audit issues, and ensuring audit observations and reports are accurate, well-supported, and ready for leadership review. 
• Coach and mentor audit staff, providing technical guidance and reviewing work for accuracy and completeness.
• Identify control weaknesses, assess risk exposures, and recommend practical, value-added solutions to strengthen governance, risk management, and internal controls.
• Assist in updating the risk assessment and developing the annual audit plan through ongoing liaison relationships with assigned business areas and areas of expertise. 
• Communicate audit findings clearly to management and support remediation efforts. 
• Stay informed on emerging risks, regulatory changes, and industry best practices. 
• Promote continuous improvement, adoption of innovative audit techniques, and enhancement opportunities to current processes.

Preferred Skills

• 6-8 years of experience performing and/or overseeing internal audit or related assurance functions.
• Ability to connect audit work to organizational objectives, key risks, Company strategy, and business priorities.
• Advanced understanding of risk-based auditing, internal controls, regulatory requirements, and practical risk mitigation.
• Ability to independently lead audit engagements, influence stakeholders, and provide technical guidance or informal coaching to team members.
• Knowledge of internal audit standards, risk management, and controls & frameworks (e.g., financial, operational, IT controls, statutory accounting practices). 
• Ability to interpret complex data and provide meaningful insights. 
• Effective written and verbal communication skills for stakeholder engagement and reporting. 
• Skilled in managing multiple audits and projects effectively. 
• Commitment to independence, objectivity, and professional standards.

Preferred Education, Experience and Training

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field.
• Professional certifications, such as CPA (Certified Public Accountant), CIA (Certified Internal Auditor) or equivalent, depending on experience.
• Completion of Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), Associate in General Insurance (AINS), or other relevant continuing education.

Salary Statement

The salary range for this position is $96,842 - $121,053

The actual base pay offered to the successful candidate will be based on multiple factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge/skills, experience, business needs, geographical location, and internal equity.  Compensation decisions are made by West Bend and are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate. 

Benefits

West Bend offers a comprehensive benefit plan including but not limited to:   

• Medical & Prescription Insurance  

• Health Savings Account  

• Dental Insurance  

• Vision Insurance  

• Short and Long Term Disability  

• Flexible Spending Accounts  

• Life and Accidental Death & Disability   

• Accident and Critical Illness Insurance  

• Employee Assistance Program  

• 401(k) Plan with Company Match  

• Pet Insurance  

• Paid Time Off. Standard first year PTO is 17 days, pro-rated based on month of hire. Enhanced PTO may be available for experienced candidates 

• Bonus eligible based on performance  

• West Bend will comply with any applicable state and local laws regarding employee leave benefits, including, but not limited to providing time off pursuant to the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act for Colorado employees, in accordance with its plans and policies.

EEO

West Bend provides equal employment opportunities to all associates and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, and promotion.

Compensation: 96842 to 121053 (USD)