Professional Experience
30+ years of professional internal audit experience ranging from performing detailed audits and risk assessments to managing and directing all facets of the internal audit function. 6 years of public accounting experience. 3+ years of experience in financial industry regulatory compliance and risk management functions.
Principal Areas of Practice
Internal audit specialist with strong skills in financial audit, compliance audit, COSO-based internal controls design and evaluation, and developing and reporting recommendations. Internal and external audit coordination to maximize efficiencies. Experience in developing risk management processes and related risk assessments.
Major Projects
Risk Management for $17 billion multi-bank holding company
- Responsible for working with multiple management teams to develop and implement risk assessments related to bank regulator expectations (Model Risk Management, Fair Lending, FACT Act) and developing supporting documentation for Board of Director approval.
- Established a process to identify and measure risks related to the use of internal and external models used in management decision-making. Developed standards for managers to follow as and assess as they managed the relationships.
- Working with key members of the compliance function, developed a framework to assess the level of inherent risk, strength of control design and resultant residual risk for specific regulations. Based on results of the assessment, management was expected to identify areas that required improvement is controls and implement the changes.
Chief Audit Executive for a $17 billion multi-bank holding company
- Responsible for all facets of the internal audit program including hiring, directing and developing a professional staff of 24. Reported results and recommendations to senior management, affiliate bank Boards of Directors and the Audit Committee of the holding company.
- Developed annual risk-based internal audit plan to be responsive to Audit Committee expectations and business risk. The annual audit plan covered all business processes of the company and included coordination with external auditors.
- Implemented a comprehensive risk assessment process that covered technology, regulatory compliance, financial and operational audit units and/or segments. The risk assessment was designed to provide sufficient coverage, over a three year period, of all auditable units.
- Determined required staffing levels and necessary expertise to complete the annual plan and implemented actions to hire staff or use co-sourced third part arrangements.
- Designed approach to achieve audit efficiencies by incorporating testing required by Sarbanes-Oxley into the annual audit plan and give consideration to external audit firm’s needs in order to enhance coordination.
Manager of Regional Internal Audit Outsourcing Provider
- Responsible for managing the relationship with assigned clients (generally 7 to 9 community banks) including completion of an audit plan approved by client management and Board of Director. Managers were responsible for developing and presenting internal audit results to Board of Directors. As a manager, responsible for identifying resource needs and managing those resources through a cost effective audit process over the course of a year. Mangers also played a role in new business development.
- The major challenge during my tenure was to assist the clients in the documentation and assessment of internal controls over financial reporting as required by Sarbanes-Oxley. The processed involved coordination of staff and testing at multiple clients in a condensed time frame, while developing a standardized approach to documentation of controls.
Education
- Pennsylvania State University –
- BS Secondary Education
- MS Business Administration – Accounting
- ABA Stonier Graduate School of Banking
- Ongoing professional education courses
Licensed as a CPA in Pennsylvania and Virginia
Served as officer, director and member of local, state and national professional organizations – Institute of Internal Auditors ; Pennsylvania Institute of CPAs
