Senior Internal Auditor

Job purpose/summary:

The Senior Internal Auditor is responsible for executing operational, financial, and compliance audits across the organization. This role supports the Internal Audit function in evaluating the effectiveness of risk management, internal controls, and governance processes. The Internal Audit Senior leads audit fieldwork, develops recommendations for process improvements, and partners with business stakeholders to enhance control effectiveness while providing independent assurance to management and the Audit Committee. The Senior Internal Auditor supports the real estate investment trust (REIT) and hospitality divisions of B.F. Saul Company. This position will perform assigned audits under the guidance of the Vice President - Internal Audit.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities at present but may serve as a coach and mentor for interns, contractor resources, or other team members as needed.

Summary of Competitive Benefits & Perks:

• Health/Medical Insurance including Dental and Vision
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off
• Bonus/Target Incentive
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Complimentary usage of modern in-house fitness center
• On-premise full-service dining center discounts
• Discounts via the company’s EAP
• Monthly Employee Recognition Programs
• Referral bonus
• Pre-tax transportation options
• Plus more!

Company Core Values:

• Excellence: Demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement, innovation, and achieving the highest possible standards for performance.
• Ethics: Demonstrates a commitment to integrity, peer respect, and fairness. Continuously demonstrates a strong work ethic by exhibiting an indisputable drive to get the job done.
• Results: The product of consistently going above and beyond to deliver exceptional value for the team and the organization.

Essential Job Functions of the Senior Internal Auditor:

Audit Planning and Execution

• Lead and perform risk-based internal audits in accordance with the annual audit plan.
• Conduct walkthroughs, process reviews, and control assessments to identify risks and control gaps.
• Develop audit programs and testing procedures aligned with audit objectives and identified risks.
• Execute audit testing, analyze results, and document findings with appropriate supporting evidence.
• Assess the design and operating effectiveness of financial, operational, regulatory, and technology controls.
• Ensure audit workpapers comply with Internal Audit methodology and professional standards.

 

Risk Assessment and Internal Controls

• Evaluate key business risks and emerging risk areas.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen internal controls and improve operational efficiency.
• Assess management's action plans to address identified control deficiencies.
• Participate in enterprise risk assessment activities and audit planning processes.

 

SOX and Financial Controls

• Execute and support the Company's Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance program.
• Assess and test key controls over financial reporting, including entity-level controls and significant business processes.
• Partner with control owners to evaluate changes in processes, systems, and risks impacting SOX compliance.
• Assist with deficiency evaluation, remediation validation, and management reporting.
• Coordinate with external auditors to support reliance on Internal Audit testing where appropriate.

 

REIT and Real Estate Operations Risk Management

• Evaluate risks and controls related to:
• Property management operations
• Leasing and tenant administration
• Revenue recognition and rental income processes
• Capital projects and development activities
• Property acquisitions and dispositions
• Treasury, debt compliance, and cash management activities
• Assess compliance with REIT-specific operational and regulatory requirements.
• Review controls supporting key performance metrics and investor disclosures.

 

Reporting and Communication

• Prepare clear, concise, and well-supported audit observations and recommendations.
• Draft audit reports and communicate audit results to management.
• Present findings and recommendations to business leaders and audit management.
• Monitor and validate remediation efforts for audit findings.

 

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build productive relationships with business and functional leaders.
• Serve as a trusted advisor while maintaining independence and objectivity.
• Collaborate with external auditors and compliance teams, as appropriate.
• Support special projects, investigations, and consulting engagements.

 

Continuous Improvement

• Utilize data analytics and audit technologies to enhance audit coverage and efficiency.
• Stay informed of industry trends, regulatory developments, and emerging risks.
• Contribute to enhancements of audit methodologies, tools, and analytics capabilities.

Required Skills and Abilities of the Senior Internal Auditor:

• Strong understanding of internal control frameworks and risk management principles.
• Knowledge of auditing standards and professional practices.
• Ability to identify root causes and develop practical recommendations.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments and meet deadlines.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Understanding of REIT business models, real estate accounting, property operations, and related risks preferred.
• Experience with data analytics tools and audit technologies preferred.

Required Education / Required Experience of the Senior Internal Auditor:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 3 to 5 years of experience in internal audit, external audit, risk management, compliance, or related fields.
• Experience conducting end-to-end audits and control assessments.
• Experience working with cross-functional stakeholders in a complex business environment.
• Experience with SOX 404 compliance programs and internal control frameworks.
• Real estate, REIT, property management, construction, or real estate investment industry experience preferred.

Additional Job Qualifications of the Senior Internal Auditor:

• Professional credentials, such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) or demonstrated progress toward certification.

Core Job Competencies of the Senior Internal Auditor:

• Communication - Interact with employees at many levels of the organization and must have the ability to express ideas and information orally and in writing keeping in mind the intended audience.
• Analysis skills - Can be counted on to gather, understand, and process information that is critical to the organization’s operations.
• Planning & Organization - Accomplishing specific goals while managing time and resources to meet deadlines and expectations.
• Attention to Detail - Focusing on all areas of a project and paying close attention to all aspects of it.