Audit Manager- Ethics Commission (1686) - City and County of San Francisco

NOTE: *09/11/2024 - This posting has been republished to collect additional applications. If you have already applied, there is no need to submit another application. This posting may be taken down at any time but no sooner than 9/23/2024. Applicants are encouraged to apply ASAP.

NOTE: *09/4/2024 - This posting has been republished to collect additional applications. If you have already applied, there is no need to submit another application. This posting may be taken down at any time. Applicants are encouraged to apply ASAP.

Appointment Type

TPV:

Temporary Provisional (TPV), limited to no more than 3 years in duration. This temporary position is excluded by the Charter from the competitive Civil Service examination process, is considered "at will" and shall serve at the discretion of the Department Head. This position will be subject to the Permanent Civil Service examination process. Successful participation in the Permanent Civil Service examination and selection through an open competitive process is needed in order to be considered for the permanent appointment.

Application Opening: August 19, 2024

Application Deadline: September 3, 2024 (original end date)

Compensation Range: $134,212- $163,124

Recruitment ID: RTF0150354-01139639

About the Commission: The San Francisco Ethics Commission was created by the City’s voters with the passage of Proposition K in November 1993. Our mission is to practice and promote the highest standards of integrity in government. We achieve that by shaping and promoting compliance with the laws and by delivering impactful programs that promote fair, transparent, and accountable governmental decision making for the benefit of all San Franciscans. The Ethics Commission is responsible for the independent and impartial administration and enforcement of laws related to campaign finance, public financing of candidates, governmental ethics, conflicts of interest, and registration and reporting by lobbyists, campaign consultants, permit consultants, and major developers.

The successful candidate should expect to perform their duties in a hybrid work environment with at least three days onsite per week per current City policy. Additionally, any City employee may be called in for Disaster Service Work duty or to work onsite with 24-hours’ notice.

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 direction, the Audit Manager assigns, directs and supervises the activities of auditors. The Audit Manager is responsible for the design, planning, organization and conduct of 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.

The Audit Manager interacts with City officials, candidates, political treasurers, campaign consultants, lobbyists, permit expediters, and others who are regulated by the Ethics Commission. The Audit Manager also collaborates closely with staff in other Commission divisions to support and review their operations. The Audit Division is also responsible for 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 Executive Director and is responsible for all programs assigned to the Audits Division.

As with all positions at the Ethics Commission, the Audit Manager 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 position include, but are not limited to:

PERFORMING & LEADING AUDITS

• Supervises, supports, and provides leadership on all phases of audits, reviews, and assessments, including planning, data gathering, conducting interviews, data analysis and testing, reconstructing records and data that may have been destroyed or falsified, evaluating internal controls, findings development, and report writing in accordance with office policies and professional auditing standards.
• 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.  
• 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. Ensures the development of value-added recommendations to strengthen Commission practices, operations, and controls.
• Reviews auditors’ written work and deliverables for completeness, technical and grammatical accuracy, clarity, organization, content, and tone, and to ensure that project objectives and professional standards are met.
• Ensures timely and effective administration of the City’s public campaign financing program.
• Develops and maintains an understanding of complex aspects of Commission divisions, programs, activities, and operations.
• Orally presents audits, project results, status, and other related information at public hearings and to a variety of audiences, including meetings with and presentations to stakeholders, departmental management, City leadership, and staff.
• Ensures that all Audits Division work is performed in accordance with departmental policies, divisional protocols, and Government Auditing Standards, as appropriate.

LEADERSHIP, TEAM DEVELOPMENT & PROJECT MANAGEMENT

• Supervises, coaches, mentors, trains, and evaluates auditors and analytical and/or administrative support staff.
• Completes and manages staff performance plans and evaluations.
• Meets regularly with staff individually, in teams, and as a unit to monitor performance, track project progress and schedules, provide information and constructive feedback, and encourage team members to challenge themselves and actively contribute to team effort and growth. Reviews team members' work for completeness, technical accuracy, organization, content, tone, grammatical accuracy, and compliance with audit standards.
• Leads streamlining and automating the division’s business processes to maximize program performance and efficiency.
• Builds and fosters highly creative teams that are cohesive, collaborative and able to perform at levels commensurate with the organization’s strategic objectives.
• Resolves conflict in a positive and constructive manner.
• Builds and maintains relationships with department management, fellow staff, and stakeholders to achieve maximum effectiveness and gain their trust and respect. Maintains close contact with the Executive Director, Deputy Director, and Director of Enforcement regarding project progress and problems.
• 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.
• Streamlines and automates the division’s business processes to maximize program performance and efficiency.
• Administers and monitors leave and reporting attendance for staff.
• Oversees multiple audits and reviews while actively participating in other critical unit initiatives, adjusting to shifting priorities while meeting key deadlines.

OPERATIONAL SUPPORT

• Manages and coordinates with contractors, including developing, monitoring, and reviewing consultant project deliverables and contracts.
• Maintains appropriate involvement in unit oversight, decision making and problem solving. Leads and assists in development of work plans, policies and procedures and organizational efforts, including identifying audit priorities and coordinating projects to ensure effective unit practices. Recommends, develops, and assists in implementing operational and organizational changes and improvements.
• Provides assistance in staff recruitment and selection. Interacts regularly with stakeholders to obtain feedback and ascertain ways to improve audit processes and results.
• Maintains professional proficiency through continuing professional education, participation in professional associations, and remaining current with industry trends, emerging risks, and innovative audit methods.
• Maintains an appropriate level of confidentiality and sensitivity.
• Performs other duties as needed, including: developing standard operating procedures for the Audits Division; may assist in investigating cases in collaboration with the Enforcement program; may construct records and data that may have been destroyed or falsified; and 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.

Minimum Qualifications

Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, in business or public administration, accounting, finance, statistics, the social sciences, English, or a related field.

and

Four (4) years of verifiable professional auditing or related analytical experience; strong understanding of local government operations; demonstrated expertise in government auditing standards and auditing principles and practices.

Substitution: A master's degree in business or public administration, accounting, finance, statistics, or a related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience.

One year of full-time employment is equivalent to 2000 hours. (2000 hours of qualifying work experience is based on a 40-hour work week.) Any overtime hours that you work above forty (40) hours per week are not included in the calculation to determine full-time employment.

Desirable Qualifications

• Professional certification as a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Internal Auditor, or Certified Fraud Examiner.
• A Master's degree in public administration, business administration, accounting, public policy, or a related field of study.
• Prior professional-level experience using established government auditing standards.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and complete projects of high quality and on time, including effective use of organizational systems to regularly track and report on progress toward established goals and objectives.
• Experience working objectively, efficiently, and effectively under strict deadlines and in highly visible, highly sensitive or highly politicized settings.
• Experience managing and supervising teams to ensure consistent and high quality performance.

Verification: 

Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education verification is required, information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at https://sfdhr.org/how-verify-education-requirements”

Note: Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.

All work experience, education, training and other information substantiating how you meet the minimum qualifications must be included on your application by the filing deadline. Information submitted after the filing deadline will not be considered in determining whether you meet the minimum qualifications.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City and County of San Francisco application.

Applications completed improperly may be cause for ineligibility, disqualification or may lead to lower scores.

Selection Procedure:

The selection process will include evaluation of applications in relation to minimum requirements. Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement to the interview. Depending on the number of applicants, the Department may establish and implement additional screening mechanisms to comparatively evaluate the qualifications of candidates. If this becomes necessary, only those applicants whose qualifications most closely meet the needs of the Department will be invited to participate in the next stage of the selection process. The stated desirable qualifications may be considered at the end of the selection process when candidates are referred for hiring.

Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:

• Information About the Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview  
• Equal Employment Opportunity 
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Veterans Preference
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement

HOW TO APPLY

Applications for City and County of San Francisco jobs are only accepted through an online process. Visit https://careers.sf.gov/ and begin the application process.

• Select the “Apply Now” button and follow instructions on the screen
• A cover letter that details your interest in this position and the work of the Ethics Commission and describes your relevant skills and experience. Please also address any prior experience or exposure to governmental accountability and oversight work.
• Current resume

Applications that do not contain the requested information will not be considered.

Applicants may be contacted by email about this recruitment and, therefore, it is their responsibility to ensure that their registered email address is accurate and kept up-to-date. Also, applicants must ensure that email from CCSF is not blocked on their computer by a spam filter. To prevent blocking, applicants should set up their email to accept CCSF mail from the following addresses (@sfgov.org, @sfdpw.org, @sfport.com, @flysfo.com, @sfwater.org, @sfdph.org, @asianart.org, @sfmta.com, @sfpl.org, @dcyf.org, @first5sf.org, @famsf.org, @ccsf.edu, @smartalerts.info, and @smartrecruiters.com).

Applicants will receive a confirmation email that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.

Human Resources Analyst Information: If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please send your inquires to Nikki Chew, Sr. HR Consultant at nikki.chew@sfgov.org

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.