IT Audit Associate - Digital Risk Services

Overview

This role supports the execution of IT audit, technology risk, and assurance engagements. Working as part of an engagement team, the Associate assists in understanding technology environments, identifying and assessing technology risks, evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of controls, and documenting audit procedures and conclusions.

The Associate will gain hands-on experience with IT General Controls (ITGCs), automated and application controls, key reports, SOC reports, and other technology-dependent controls. The position also includes opportunities to work directly with client personnel and build foundational skills in IT audit, technology risk, and assurance.

Responsibilities

IT Audit, Risk & Controls

• Assist in planning and executing IT audit, technology risk, and assurance engagements, including:
  • IT General Controls (ITGCs)
  • internal IT audits
  • SOX 404 support
  • SOC 1 and SOC 2 engagements
  • other technology risk assessments
• Develop an understanding of clients’ business processes, technology environments, systems, infrastructure, and relevant technology risks and controls.
• Participate in process and control walkthroughs with client stakeholders to understand and document technology processes and control environments.
• Assist in identifying technology risks and the controls designed to mitigate those risks, including impact on business processes and the financial reporting control environment, as applicable.
• Under senior engagement team guidance, perform procedures to evaluate the design, implementation, and operating effectiveness of technology controls.
• Test ITGCs across enterprise applications, infrastructure, and cloud environments, including relevant logical access, change management, and IT operations controls.
• Assist with testing automated controls, application controls, key reports, interfaces, and other IT-dependent controls supporting business processes and audit objectives.
• Review SOC 1 and SOC 2 reports for third-party service providers and assist in evaluating relevant control objectives, complementary user entity controls, exceptions, and their impact on the client’s control environment.
• Support technology advisory and risk engagements related to system implementations, technology initiatives, and significant process or system changes.
• Analyze audit evidence and help identify potential control deficiencies, technology risks, and process improvement opportunities.
• Assist the engagement team in developing practical recommendations to strengthen controls, mitigate risks, and improve processes.

Engagement Execution & Documentation

• Prepare clear, accurate, and well-supported audit workpapers in accordance with applicable methodology, professional standards, and engagement requirements.
• Obtain, organize, and evaluate client documentation and audit evidence for accuracy, completeness, and relevance.
• Document walkthroughs, testing procedures, evidence obtained, results, and conclusions in a clear and concise manner.
• Apply professional skepticism and sound judgment when performing assigned audit procedures.
• Identify exceptions, unusual circumstances, or potential issues and communicate them promptly to senior engagement team members.
• Develop working knowledge of relevant AICPA, PCAOB, and other applicable professional standards and guidance based on assigned engagements.
• Incorporate review comments and feedback into workpapers and use feedback to improve audit execution and documentation.
• Complete assigned engagement responsibilities according to established schedules, budgets, milestones, and quality expectations.

Client & Team Responsibilities

• Develop effective professional relationships with client personnel and engagement team members.
• Communicate professionally with client contacts when requesting documentation, scheduling walkthroughs, performing testing, and following up on outstanding items.
• Provide timely updates on assigned responsibilities, potential issues, and engagement progress to Senior Associates, Managers, and other engagement leaders.
• Collaborate effectively with team members and contribute to a positive, inclusive, and supportive team environment.
• Take ownership of assigned responsibilities and deliver on commitments to clients and colleagues.
• Seek and apply coaching and feedback to strengthen technical, audit, documentation, project management, and client-service skills.
• Participate in professional development, technical training, and other learning opportunities to expand knowledge of emerging technologies, risks, regulations, and professional standards.

Requirements

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Accounting Information Systems, Information Systems, Information Technology, Computer Science, Finance, or a related field.
• Master’s degree in Information Systems, Accounting, Cybersecurity, or another relevant discipline is preferred.
• For candidates completing their undergraduate degree, relevant internships or coursework in IT audit, information systems, cybersecurity, accounting, internal audit, or risk management are beneficial.

Experience

• 0 to 2 years of professional experience in IT audit, technology risk, IT assurance, internal audit, public accounting, management consulting, cybersecurity, information technology, or a related field.
• Foundational understanding of information technology, internal controls, information systems, or audit and risk concepts through professional experience, internships, or relevant academic coursework.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, written communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage assigned responsibilities, meet deadlines, and work effectively in a team environment.

Preferred Experience

• Internship or professional experience in public accounting, professional services, internal audit, technology risk, cybersecurity, or management consulting.
• Exposure to ITGCs, including logical access, change management, and IT operations.
• Familiarity with SOX 404 compliance and technology controls supporting financial reporting.
• Exposure to automated controls, application controls, key reports, interfaces, or other IT-dependent controls.
• Familiarity with enterprise applications, technology infrastructure, or cloud environments.
• Exposure to SOC 1 and SOC 2 reports or third-party risk assessments.
• Familiarity with AICPA or PCAOB auditing standards or other applicable professional standards.

Preferred Certifications

Professional certifications are not required upon entry. Candidates who have obtained or are actively pursuing relevant certifications are encouraged to apply. Relevant certifications include:

• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
• Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
• Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• Certified in Cybersecurity (CC)
• ISO 27001 Lead Auditor or Lead Implementer
• Other relevant technology, cybersecurity, audit, or risk certifications

Core Competencies

Successful IT Audit Associates will demonstrate:

• Foundational understanding of technology, risk, internal controls, and audit concepts
• Intellectual curiosity and a desire to understand how technology supports business processes and introduces or mitigates risk
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities
• Attention to detail and commitment to producing high-quality work
• Ability to learn new technologies, systems, methodologies, and concepts quickly
• Clear, professional written and verbal communication
• Ability to ask thoughtful questions and appropriately escalate issues
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Ability to work independently on assigned responsibilities and collaboratively within an engagement team
• Receptiveness to coaching and constructive feedback
• Professionalism and sound judgment when interacting with clients and colleagues
• Commitment to continuous learning as technologies, risks, regulations, and professional standards evolve

Compensation & Benefits

• Generous time away and paid firm holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s
• Flexible work schedules
• 16 weeks of paid maternity and adoption leave, 8 weeks of paid parental leave, 4 weeks of paid and caregiver leave (once eligible)
• Health and wellness benefits, including wellness coaching and mental health counseling
• One-on-one professional coaching
• Leadership and career development programs

Location

Nine offices located in the fastest growing cities in the US (role supports engagement needs as assigned).

Accessibility & Reasonable Accommodation

The physical and cognitive/mental requirements and work environment characteristics described below are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Requirements

• Regularly required to remain in a stationary position
• Use hands repetitively to operate standard office equipment
• Talk or hear, both in person and by telephone
• Specific vision abilities including close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus

Cognitive/Mental Requirements

• Use written and oral communication skills
• Read and interpret data, information, and documents
• Observe and interpret situations
• Work under deadlines with frequent interruptions
• Interact with internal and external customers and others in the course of work