Sr. Auditor - Berkley

"Our Company provides a state of predictability which allows brokers and agents to act with confidence."

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.

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 50 businesses worldwide and is divided into two segments:  Insurance and Reinsurance and Monoline Excess.  Led by our Executive Chairman, founder and largest shareholder, William. R. Berkley and our President and Chief Executive Officer, W. Robert Berkley, Jr., W.R. Berkley Corporation is well-positioned to respond to opportunities for future growth.

Senior Auditor

The position is located: Open to locations with Berkley Operating Units in Central and Eastern time zones

Description:   

W.R. Berkley Corporation is seeking a highly motivated, self-managed individual to join our Internal Audit Department.  In this role you will plan and conduct high quality, risk-focused audits of Operating Units and Corporate Processes. You will have the opportunity to work closely with Operating Units both in learning the business and testing controls all while building relationships with key stakeholders.  You will conduct audits in accordance with Internal Audit Policies, methodologies and standards to identify meaningful issues, risks and other exposures within Finance and Operational areas. This individual is a key member of the Internal Audit Department who takes ownership and pride in their work and the success of the team.

Key Responsibilities

• Participate in and/or lead audits which includes: contributing to and/or leading the pre-audit planning process, exercising professional skepticism in evaluating and analyzing evidentiary evidence as a base to make an objective decision on the effectiveness of internal controls.

• Prepare and lead effective walkthroughs to gain an understanding of the financials and/or operational process(es) being audited. This includes documenting walkthrough results via narratives and flowcharts for financial and operational processes.

• Analyze data from Operating Units to identify and interpret trends and patterns to provide meaningful insights in the audit process.

• Partner with operational audit teams to perform audits of financial, operational and other business risk areas for adequate management controls, efficiency, and compliance with policies, regulations and accounting principle.

• Design audit programs or audit steps as it relates to new audits in accordance with professional audit standards.

• Follow up periodically with the Operating Unit in regards to the action plan progress taken by the Operating Unit until issue remediation.

• Learn new businesses, processes and regulations effectively and quickly.
• Communicate well with clients and Audit team members.
• Engage in relevant training regarding audit, businesses, financial controls, regulations or a particular specialty.
• Must be able to quickly assimilate new information in order to analyze the risks and controls effectively.
• Identify problems that are not consistent with past audits and begin to structure a solution or remedy to address issue(s).
• Staff at this level will be expected to own sections of the audit program and bring them to completion with minimal supervision.
• Appropriately analyze control environment and develop effective audit steps to test controls where necessary in line with internal audit methodology.

• Drive efficiency and effectiveness of financial and operational audit testing and reporting to help manage department costs
• Work independently and in a team environment to maximize performance
• Demonstrate leadership through engagement, personal development and fostering a spirit of continual improvement.
• Participate in special projects as assigned by management.
• Maintain audit proficiency through self-study, training and professional association memberships.

Skills

• Knowledge of internal controls over financial reporting and proper documentation.

• Ability to complete tasks efficiently (on time, on budget, accurately).

• Strong written and verbal communications skills, including reflective listening, presenting, interviewing, workpaper documentation and report writing.
• Knowledge of property and casualty insurance industry, a plus
• Knowledge of Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) Professional Practices Framework, a plus.

• Relevant knowledge of financial institutions and all applicable regulatory requirements is expected.
• Should be able to think creatively as well as take direction.
• Needs to display flexible and adaptive problem-solving skills due to the variety of operational and technological infrastructures within the Company.

• Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office Excel and Word is a must; knowledge of PeopleSoft, Hyperion Smart View is a plus.

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor's in accounting, business administration or finance
• Minimum 5 years' experience in Audit and a total of 7-10 years professional work experience. 
• Professional certification (CPA, CIA or equivalent) preferred.

• Possess a strong understanding of the audit process with knowledge of internal control expectations including COSO, IIA, GAAP and SOX.

• Capable of evaluating risks, businesses/processes and data with strong analytical and critical thinking skills, in order to identify potential issues and improvements that add value for the organization.
• Good analysis, problem resolution and communication skills, both verbal and written. Good time and project management skills, with the ability to prioritize and multitask.
• A high level of accuracy and attention to detail.

Travel

The job will require overnight travel (approximately (30% - 35%) to Operating Unit locations and/or Corporate Home Office.  Travel is mostly within the United States but there is some international travel as well.