We are recruiting for a Head of Internal Audit position for an established and growing global wealth management group’s office in London. This role will initially manage a team of 2 auditors based in the London office (but will also be drawing on / collaborating with an co-source Internal Audit team of around 30 professionals across different offices / locations) and be responsible for overseeing, planning, and executing the Internal Audit function in the UK. The relevant candidate will be already SMF5 accredited (or an eligible candidate to become SMF5). The offices are based in Central London and the individual must have a strong foundation of internal audit experience within a wealth / asset management or private banking business (or from the wider banking sector).
Profile Criteria:
*Professional Audit/Accounting qualification or Degree is preferred (ACA, ACCA, CIA, etc.).
*Experienced audit professional (10 years+ post-qualification experience) who is either currently in a Head of Audit position (or their next career move is to secure their first Head of Audit position). Candidate must be suitably qualified to hold SMF 5 and possess solid experience at a Head of Internal Audit or Senior Audit Manager level with an audit firm or a financial institution
*Working experience in private banking, wealth management and asset management industries (ideal) but my client will also consider those from the wider banking sector.
*Experience managing audits across a broad range of activities, including financial, compliance, regulatory, operational, systems, etc. The individual must also be hands-on with the day-to-day work, leading from the front / by example, able to conduct their own audits as well.
*Knowledge of UK banking legislation, regulations and rules (PRA/FCA)
*Current or previous experience dealing with change (i.e., integrations, etc.)
*Able to evolve the Internal Audit function into more of an advisory function
Responsibilities / Tasks / Coverage:
*The Head of Audit is responsible for managing, planning, and administering the Internal Audit function in the UK, Channel Islands and Gibraltar regions for all activities of the firm.
*Plan, supervise and take part in audits across all activities of the firm’s UK operations including financial, regulatory, compliance, operational audits as needed.
*Develop and maintain good relationships with the head and key management personnel of all activity pillars across the firm’s UK operations.
*Make recommendations for organisational and internal controls improvements of the firm’s UK operations.
*Prepare Audit reports, and summaries of findings and audit reports and recommendations to the Group Audit department, as well as key management stakeholders of the firm’s UK operations.
*Follow-up of audit recommendations until their implementation.
*Make recommendations for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the audit process.
*Managing and engaging with various stakeholders across all departments of the firm’s UK operations at a senior level.
*Liaise with external auditors and regulators.