Role description
About the Audits Division
The Audits Division is responsible for conducting thorough and timely audits pursuant to the Commission’s Charter authority and mandate under City law. The purpose of the Commission’s audits is to determine whether auditees have materially complied with applicable requirements of State and local laws, including campaign finance, Form 700 disclosures, conflict of interest, government ethics, lobbying, and public disclosure laws. The Division’s audits are extensive and complex and are carried out within defined deadlines and in accordance with established auditing standards. The Audits Division also supports the work of the Commission’s Enforcement Division, which is responsible for pursuing penalties, where appropriate, for violations of law discovered through audits. The Audits Division collaborates with the Enforcement Division on cases that were developed based on audit findings and other cases in which financial or compliance audit work is warranted.
The Audits Division is also responsible for conducting performance audits of programs within the Ethics Commission. This work supports the Commission’s overall effectiveness by periodically reviewing operations to identify ways to improve internal controls, standardize and optimize processes, track key performance indicators, and improve program outcomes. Internal audits are performed in accordance with established auditing standards.
During election years, the Division also administers San Francisco’s public campaign financing program by reviewing requests and supporting documentation to determine candidate eligibility and public funds disbursements.
Role Description
Under general supervision, incumbents in this position plan, organize, and conduct various types of audits for the Ethics Commission. Auditors interact with City officials, candidates, political treasurers, campaign consultants, lobbyists, permit expediters, and others who are regulated by the Ethics Commission. Auditors also collaborate closely with staff in other Commission divisions to support and review their operations. In a fast-paced and team-oriented environment, our auditors engage in financial, forensic, compliance, investigative, and performance audits, program evaluations, and other analytical activities to ensure compliance with campaign finance and ethics laws and to promote efficient and effective operations within the Commission. Auditors also play a key role in reviewing claims for public financing to ensure that City funds are only distributed to qualified candidates and in accordance with program requirements. This position reports to the Audit Manager and is responsible for leading audits and other projects.
As with all positions at the Ethics Commission, Auditors must be willing to forego involvement in all local political activity while a member of the Commission staff and publicly file an annual Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700).
Essential duties for this job include, but are not limited to:
PERFORMING AUDITS
Audits and investigates within all areas of the law administered by the Commission to evaluate compliance and identify violations of law.
Conducts extensive testing, including collecting, analyzing, and documenting audit evidence as it relates to the audit objectives.
Develops audit findings and recommendations that are fully supported by analysis.
Conducts audit follow-up activities, including vetting audit findings through the Enforcement Division, providing auditees with notice and comment opportunities, and publishing final audit reports.
Conducts performance audits of Commission programs and operations. Identifies and evaluates internal controls.
Performs all assignments in accordance with office policies, division protocols, and Government Auditing Standards, as appropriate.
PLANNING AUDITS
Scopes audits, including researching legal mandates and other background information, determining needs of key stakeholders, and identifying potential sources of evidence.
Performs risk assessments to determine audit scope and objectives for different projects of all levels of complexity.
Develops audit scope and objectives with limited or no prior audit information, and prepares detailed audit plans to conduct testing, detailed timelines, and milestones. Audit plans are prepared in alignment with Division protocols.
COMMUNICATION, PRESENTATION, & WRITING
Interviews management and staff of audited entities to obtain key information as it relates to the audit objectives.
Plans, organizes, and conducts audit entrance and exit conferences and periodic meetings with auditees to inform them of audit progress and results.
Prepares presentations and may present audit results to a variety of audiences including Department management and public hearings.
Prepares written audit reports that effectively and concisely communicate audit results.
Critically reads audit reports and provides feedback on persuasiveness, clarity, consistency, style, and grammar.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT, TEAMWORK & LEADERSHIP
Maintains close contact with the Audit Manager, Director of Enforcement, and/or Executive Director regarding project progress and problems.
Reviews team members' work for completeness, technical accuracy, organization, content, tone, grammatical accuracy, and compliance with audit standards.
Provides on-the-job training and evaluation feedback to team members.
Actively contributes to team effort and takes a lead role in planning, conducting, and completing large, complex audits, or portions thereof.
Prepares and maintains audit procedures, documents, and trackers in a centralized manner. Publishes and maintains audit guides, reports, web content, and other information on the Commission’s web site.
Prepares data and performs analysis related to the division’s programs. Assists with preparing budget estimates for the division’s programs and operations.
Assists with streamlining and automating the division’s business processes to maximize program performance and efficiency.
Performs other duties as needed, including: providing input into the annual audit work plan to identify audit risks and priorities; maintaining the appropriate level of confidentiality and sensitivity; recommending and/or developing standard operating procedures for the Audits Division; maintaining professional proficiency through continuing professional education and participation in professional associations; may assist in investigating cases in collaboration with the Enforcement program; may construct records and data that may have been destroyed or falsified; may participate in the IT risk assessment and development of the IT audit plan program for the division and lead and execute IT audits, including testing internal IT controls; administration of the City’s public campaign financing program; and performs other related duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Full details are provided in the job announcement.
Role description
About the Audits Division
The Audits Division is responsible for conducting thorough and timely audits pursuant to the Commission’s Charter authority and mandate under City law. The purpose of the Commission’s audits is to determine whether auditees have materially complied with applicable requirements of State and local laws, including campaign finance, Form 700 disclosures, conflict of interest, government ethics, lobbying, and public disclosure laws. The Division’s audits are extensive and complex and are carried out within defined deadlines and in accordance with established auditing standards. The Audits Division also supports the work of the Commission’s Enforcement Division, which is responsible for pursuing penalties, where appropriate, for violations of law discovered through audits. The Audits Division collaborates with the Enforcement Division on cases that were developed based on audit findings and other…