Internal Audit Manager

About the role

You will partner with Internal Audit leadership to execute a risk-based operational audit program that evaluates the design and operating effectiveness of controls across governance, regulatory, financial, and operational processes. This role places an immediate priority on leading post-acquisition integration audits, assessing readiness and overseeing the onboarding of acquired entities into the established control environment. You will evaluate integration and change risk across governance, regulatory licensing, finance and operations, data migration, key-person retention, and conduct and culture. In this position, you will direct co-sourced specialist support for deep-technical areas while retaining full Internal Audit ownership of judgment and conclusions. You will lead the application of AI-enabled auditing, using generative AI, agentic workflows, and data analytics to expand coverage and efficiency without compromising human oversight. You will lead multiple audit engagements concurrently, managing the full lifecycle from planning through fieldwork to reporting and remediation tracking. You will document audit findings, including control gaps and root cause, and draft clear, well-supported workpapers and reports for stakeholder consumption. You will contribute to the continuous improvement of audit methodologies and frameworks, ensuring strict conformance with the IIA Global Internal Audit Standards and the function's quality assurance requirements.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Lead risk-based operational audits across the business, encompassing governance, regulatory, financial, and operational processes, and help shape the strategic coverage of the audit plan.
• As the current priority, lead post-acquisition integration audits, including readiness assessments, onboarding of acquired entities into the control environment, and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of controls in acquired businesses.
• Assess integration and change risk across governance, regulatory licensing and change-of-control conditions, finance and operations, data migration, key-person retention, and conduct and culture.
• Perform risk assessments to identify key areas of exposure and prioritize audit coverage across the plan and the acquisition pipeline.
• Direct co-sourced specialist (SME) support for deep-technical areas, retaining Internal Audit ownership of judgment, conclusions, and final deliverables.
• Lead AI-enabled auditing by applying generative AI, agentic workflows, and data analytics across the audit lifecycle to expand coverage and efficiency while retaining human ownership of judgment and conclusions.
• Lead multiple audit engagements concurrently, managing planning, fieldwork, and reporting end-to-end in a complex, multi-jurisdictional environment.
• Document audit findings, including control gaps and root cause, and draft clear, well-supported workpapers and reports that communicate results to appropriate stakeholders.
• Track and validate the remediation of identified issues, escalating delays or gaps to Internal Audit leadership as necessary.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of audit methodologies and frameworks, ensuring alignment with evolving regulatory expectations and internal quality standards.
• Ensure conformance with the IIA Global Internal Audit Standards and the function's quality assurance requirements across all engagements.
• Partner with stakeholders across the business, Compliance, Legal, Risk, Finance, and Engineering teams to communicate audit results and advise on control improvements.
• Monitor the audit plan, the acquisition pipeline, and evolving regulatory expectations across the jurisdictions relevant to Payward's business.
• Partner with other Internal Audit managers and co-sourced specialists to ensure coordinated, non-overlapping coverage across the audit plan.
• Mentor junior auditors within engagement teams to ensure quality and timely delivery of audit objectives and work products.
• Support the assessment of third-party risk where integrated entities introduce new control environments and operational complexities.
• Drive the collection and analysis of key audit metrics to support executive reporting and continuous function improvement.

Requirements

• 8+ years of experience in internal audit, risk management, or regulatory examination within financial services, fintech, or crypto.
• Strong generalist audit background with proven ability to plan and lead audits across business, financial, operational, and regulatory processes.
• Experience auditing complex, regulated environments; exposure to post-acquisition or M&A integration is a strong plus.
• Multi-jurisdiction experience, including auditing or assessing controls across more than one regulatory regime, ideally with globally distributed teams.
• A demonstrated understanding of risk-based audit methodologies, including the ability to develop risk assessments, audit programs, and testing procedures.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information into clear, concise, and actionable recommendations for senior stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced, dynamic environment while maintaining attention to detail.
• Experience with audit management and workflow tools, as well as data analytics techniques, is required.
• Familiarity with regulatory and licensing considerations for financial services and crypto businesses across multiple jurisdictions is required.
• Knowledge of SOX control frameworks and testing methodologies is required.
• Ability to work effectively with co-sourced and third-party service providers, managing relationships and expectations to ensure audit objectives are met.
• Commitment to maintaining independence, objectivity, and professional skepticism in all engagements.
• Willingness to adhere to the high ethical standards and professional codes of conduct defined by the IIA and the firm.

Practical notes

The role is based in the United States and is a full-time engagement. The position operates under standard employment terms consistent with Payward's global hiring practices. Travel may be required to support audit programs across jurisdictions and entities as business needs dictate. Any applicable visa sponsorship considerations will be managed in accordance with local regulations and corporate policies. The candidate must be available to start in alignment with business needs and the integrated acquisition timeline.