Audit Cross-Function - Senior Audit Manager / Vice President - SMBC - #2158868

SMBC: A trusted partner for the long term

Here at SMBC Group, we want to help you find the next step in your career so read on to discover if this opportunity is the one for you. We like to recognise potential in our people, so we welcome your application even when your experience doesn't perfectly align with the job description. Whilst we'll always strive to be better, we're proud of our inclusive culture, and encourage our applicants and colleagues to be their authentic, unique selves.

Who we are

United by a sense of purpose towards our customers - to be a trusted partner for the long-term - and our universal banking platform in EMEA, SMBC Group has an international growth agenda and award-winning products, meaning we provide exciting opportunities to work on a diverse range of projects and initiatives. We deliver a full suite of corporate finance products and solutions to our customers as well as investment banking and advisory services, and a range of innovative solutions in global capital markets. Read on to find out how you could enhance your skills and gain valuable experience, by joining us to support our clients transition to a sustainable future.

Role Summary

This role exists to provide an independent view and assurance over the control environment operating across EMEA entities (SMBC Bank International plc (SMBC BI), SMBC branches, and other subsidiaries within the EMEA region). The role undertakes and manages audits across a range of activities and supports audit teams in delivering in-depth testing and reviews to support audit opinions. It contributes to the audit opinion provided to EMEA Regional Management and the SMBC Group Audit Committee in Tokyo.

Business Area

Internal Audit Department (IAD) are asked for an independent opinion on the changes and controls implemented by the organisations within EMEA Region, this role aims to provide insight and opinion on the key controls in operation in the business areas under review and therefore must have the expertise to provide advice and consultancy services as required.

Position Description

IAD is responsible for the delivery of around 90 internal audit reports per year across the EMEA region. Due to the nature of each business and the audit cycle, the number of audits each Audit Manager is responsible for can vary from year to year. On average an Audit Manager would be responsible for the delivery of around 6-8 audits per year, and contribute to other audit assignments through delivery of fieldwork for other Audit Managers. This may include technically complex and highly regulated areas, large assignments, including theme audits across more than one jurisdiction/ business. These are scheduled so that some will overlap so that two assignments may be open at the same time, closing one and planning another, an Audit Manager will be able to manage both successfully.

Responsibilities

• Preparation of planning material to ensure that the internal controls covering the key risks are appropriately tested in order to provide reasonable assurance to the Board, Group Management, Entity Management and other stakeholders, including regulators, that an effective internal control environment exists.
• Overseeing the work performed for the audit assignment by other team members. Providing guidance and support to team members as necessary.
• Directing testing to cover key areas of risk and determine the scope and focus in agreement with the Audit Partner of the review, and share expertise in their area with other team members.
• Preparing draft Audit Findings for review by IAD Management. The Audit Findings must be factually accurate and clearly communicate the findings and recommendations. The Audit Manager / Vice President (VP) must clearly communicate the issues to IAD Management and then to business Management including senior stakeholders. In doing so, the Audit Manager / VP may experience some significant challenge and must therefore be resilient and articulate in their presentation of the issues.
• Preparing the final internal audit report. The report must clearly communicate areas of positive assurance as well as areas where improvement in the internal control environment is required.
• Undertaking follow-up and closure of internal audit recommendations. This process requires the validation of action taken by line Management for the closure of all High and Moderate Priority Findings and the provision of assistant and guidance to Management.
• May be also asked to assist the Audit Partner with maintaining relationships with Senior Management (D, ED and MD level) in a nominated area of responsibility, have insight into business activities and be able to comment on key areas of risk for those business areas.
• Contributing to IAD initiatives and work collaboratively across EMEA.

• The broad range of business areas subject to internal audit.
• Tight timelines for the delivery of internal audit assignments, and managing conflicting priorities.
• Challenge from IAD Management and line Management and the ability to successfully articulate issues identified.
• The need to manage different groups of IAD staff assigned to each audit assignment.

• Experience: Internal audit experience within financial services or a regulated environment.
• Technical Knowledge: Strong understanding of internal control frameworks, risk assessment methodologies, and audit standards.
• Analytical Skills: Ability to identify key risks, design appropriate testing strategies, and interpret complex data to form conclusions.
• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills to prepare clear, concise audit reports and present findings to senior stakeholders.
• Leadership & Team Management: Proven experience in overseeing audit assignments, guiding team members, and managing multiple priorities.
• Stakeholder Management: Ability to build and maintain relationships with senior management and influence decision-making.
• Resilience & Professionalism: Capacity to handle challenging discussions with senior stakeholders and articulate issues effectively.