Audit Manager- Ethics Commission (1686)

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.