Internal Auditor

Title: Internal Auditor
Schedule: Monday -Friday
Location: Longview, WA
Classification: Full-Time, Exempt
Opening Date: April 5, 2024
Salary Range: $101,574.24 to $121,889.09 DOQ
Closing Date: Open until filled, first review April 19, 2024.

***If you are an American Indian/Alaska Native and/or a Veteran and would like this to be considered for hiring, please note this on your cover letter and/or resume***

Position Summary:
Under the administrative direction of the Tribal Manager and Tribal Audit Committee, and reporting functionally to the Tribal Council, provides direction on policy, risk assessment, and corrective compliance issues. Ensures adherence with all regulations, tribal laws, policies, and procedures throughout the Cowlitz Indian Tribe in order to safeguard assets, verify the accuracy and reliability of accounting data, promote adherence to policies and procedures, and prevent and detect fraud. Provides independent and objective evaluations of the Tribe’s financial and operational business activities. Honors and represents the mission, vision, and values of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe.

***If you are an American Indian/Alaska Native and/or a Veteran and would like this to be considered for hiring, please note this on your cover letter and/or resume***

This list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only of the tasks performed by this position and is not all-inclusive.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Evaluates program, administrative, compliance, and accounting controls, processes and systemic procedures to ensure consistent use of the most efficient and effective methods of operation; prepares reports for the Tribal Manager, Tribal Audit Committee, and Tribal Council on compliance with Cowlitz Indian Tribal standards and government regulations.
• Protects tribal assets by establishing appropriate internal controls and ensuring adherence to internal controls.
• Develops audit programs and performs transaction testing necessary to review and evaluate performance and compliance with laws and regulations.
• Analyzes financial and program data and interprets and applies federal, state, and Cowlitz Indian Tribe policy guidelines.
• Tests the system of authorization and recording procedures to determine if they are adequate to provide reasonable accounting control over assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenditures.
• Assesses expenditures and program reports for compliance with grant or other federal regulations.
• Checks pertinent documents to determine if an audit trail exists for all records and systems.
• Prepares and assists in audits conducted by external auditors contracted by the Cowlitz Indian Tribe.
• Prepares reports of all work completed and submits to the Tribal Manager, Tribal Audit Committee, and Tribal Council for review, follow-up, and recommendations for action.
• Identify and document operational best practices that can be shared with other programs and departments throughout the organization.
• Discusses findings with supervisors/managers of areas evaluated; develops, maintains, and reviews corrective action plans; creates and upholds corrective action monitoring report models; and prepares formal monitoring reports.
• Assists with special studies that require data compilation; analyzes and interprets information; presents findings in verbal and written formats.
• Analyzes business processes, procedures, and activities with the goal of highlighting organizational issues and recommending solutions, using the three tenets of Quality Management: Quality Control, Quality Improvement, and Quality Assurance.
• Evaluates the efficacy of operations, the reliability of financial reporting, and other operational processes.
• Reports existing deficiencies and identifies the operation of a control that does not allow management or employees, in the normal course of performing their assigned functions, to prevent or detect misstatements on a timely basis.
• Contributes to a team effort and accomplishes related results as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of traditional form of government and tribal customs and traditions.
• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, county, and local laws, regulations, and requirements.
• Knowledge of department organization, functions, objectives, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge and full competence in Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Skill in investigating including data gathering and analysis and the use of spreadsheets and executive summaries.
• Skill in preparing, reviewing, and analyzing operational and financial reports using financial systems.
• Skill in coaching and advising employees at varying levels within the organization.
• Skill in operating various word-processing and database software programs in a Windows environment.
• Ability to understandi and uphold the Auditors Code of Ethics and Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing as developed by the Institute of Auditors.
• Ability to interpret applicable federal, tribal, state, county, and local laws, regulations, and requirements.
• Ability to work cooperatively in conjunction with senior management and organizational goals.
• Ability to evaluate program effectiveness and financial status.
• Ability to develop and present effective reports and presentations.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to build rapport quickly and effectively with staff to develop teamwork environment.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with co-workers at all levels and contribute to the creation of an inclusive environment.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment.
• Ability to analyze situations and adopt appropriate courses of action.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Business Management, or a related field; Accounting degree is strongly preferred.
• Must demonstrate thorough knowledge of accounting practices/procedures.
• Two years of audit experience; five years preferred.
• CPA or CIA designation preferred.
• Valid driver’s license is required when driving vehicles for work-related purposes.
• Must have and maintain a valid Driver's license and be insurable under the Tribe’s existing automobile insurance policy.

Tribal preference in accordance with Cowlitz Indian Tribe Code and CIT Employee Policies and Procedures Handbook shall apply to all positions. All positions are required to adhere to CIT’s established safety policies regarding vaccine requirements and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Background Investigation Requirements:

• Pre-employment drug screen.
• Reference checks, education and employment verification.
• Federal, state, and/or tribal criminal history and sanction checks.

Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly is required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee occasionally is required to stand; walk; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 20lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and clarity of vision at long distance.

Work Environment:
Work is generally performed in an office/clinical setting with a moderate noise level. Situations occur where PPE (personal protective equipment) is needed. Work may involve exposure to potentially dangerous situations. Overnight travel and/or evening work may occasionally be required. Tight time constraints and multiple demands are common.

***If you are an American Indian/Alaska Native and/or a Veteran and would like this to be considered for hiring, please note this on your cover letter and/or resume***

The Cowlitz Indian Tribe is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and a Drug & Alcohol-Free workplace.
Except as provided by Title 25 CFR, Section 472 which allows for Indian preference in hiring, the Cowlitz Indian Tribe does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, age, sex, national origin, physical handicap, marital status, politics, or membership or non-membership in an employee organization.