Finance Audit Leader

Join to apply for the Finance Audit Leader role at W. R. Berkley Corporation

Founded in 1967, W. R. Berkley Corporation has grown from a small investment management firm into one of the largest commercial lines property and casualty insurers in the United States.

Company Details
Our Company provides a state of predictability which allows brokers and agents to act with confidence. Along the way, we’ve been listed on the New York Stock Exchange, become a Fortune 500 Company, joined the S&P 500, and seen our gross written premiums exceed $10 billion.

Today the Berkley brand comprises more than 60+ businesses worldwide and is divided into two segments:
Insurance and Reinsurance and Monoline Excess.

Performs and/or leads high quality, risk-focused audit fieldwork, in accordance with Internal Audit policies, methodologies, and standards to identify meaningful issues, risks and other exposures within Finance and Operational areas.

• Lead and/or perform financial and operational examinations, partnering with operational and IT audit teams to assess adequate management controls, efficiency, and compliance with policies, regulations, and accounting principles using sound, independent judgment.
• Demonstrate leadership through engagement, reflective listening, collaboration, sound judgment, personal development and fostering a spirit of continual improvement.
• Provide guidance and training to less experienced members of the Finance audit team, through effective communication and demonstration.
• Develop a risk-based approach for each financial audit during the pre-audit planning process.
• Identify, document, and assess business processes and controls to evaluate risks and controls.
• Conduct walkthroughs to gain an understanding of the financials and/or operational process(es) being audited.
• Understand the audits steps being performed by the Operational and/or IT teams and complete a gap analysis of all key processes to ensure the completeness of the audit scope.
• Document all testing in accordance with best practices and the department’s standards.
• Develop and apply alternative audit procedures beyond those contained in standard Audit Program Guides, where applicable.
• Lead meetings with the Business Unit management to provide audit status updates and/or communicate audit findings and recommendations.
• Work independently and in a team environment to maximize performance.
• Follow up periodically with the Business Units regarding the action plan progress taken by the Business Units until issue remediation.
• Learn new businesses, processes and regulations and apply new knowledge to audit work performed.
• Build positive working relationships with all auditees, particularly with Senior Management.
• Communicate well with clients and Audit team members.
• Staff at this level will be expected to own sections of the audit program and bring them to completion with minimal supervision.
• Analyze data from Business Units to identify and interpret trends and patterns to provide meaningful insights in the audit process.
• Collaborate with internal audit team members to find opportunities to use audit analytics in Internal Audits.
• Participate in special projects as assigned by management.
• Engage in relevant training regarding audit, businesses, financial controls, regulations, or a particular specialty.
• Maintain audit proficiency through self-study, training, and professional association memberships.

• A minimum 10 years of total professional experience including a minimum of 7 years auditing experience (public and/or internal).
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in the Property and Casualty insurance industry or equivalent relevant training or experience.
• Experience in a financial reporting or similar role is a plus.
• Some relevant/recent experience in audit analytics and/or continuous audit monitoring programs a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and problem solve with the ability to prioritize and multitask.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, proven ability to communicate with all levels of an organization.
• A high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office Excel and Word is a must; knowledge of People Soft, Hyperion Smart View is a plus.
• Strong work ethic, ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines.
• Strong business acumen and risk awareness.
• Strong analytical, organizational, project management and communications skills (written and oral).
• Strong knowledge of internal controls over financial reporting (COSO, Sarbanes-Oxley, and Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) Professional Practices Framework).
• Strong knowledge of property and casualty insurance industry, GAAP and Statutory accounting principles as well as claims and underwriting operations.
• Should be able to think creatively as well as take direction.
• Self-starter, able to work independently with minimal supervision, and demonstrate accountability for results.
• Need to display flexible and adaptive problem-solving skills due to the variety of…