Internal Auditor at American States Water Company

Golden State Water Company is one of the largest investor-owned water utilities in the United States. We have been all about water for more than 80 years. Our team of professionals delivers reliable, quality water and great service to customers in 75 communities across California.

 POSITION DEFINITION:  Internal Auditor     

The incumbent in this position has responsibilities for analyzing and gathering data for internal audit; researching regulations, Company’s policies and standards; assisting in the development of recommendations; and communicating results to the respective stakeholders. The Internal Auditor performs reviews to ensure compliance with those policies, plans, procedures, laws and regulations which could have a significant impact on the company’s operations, determines whether the respective business units are in compliance, and suggests improvements where required. 

The Internal Auditor is part of a professional team that execute financial, operational and other internal audit projects to promote and ensure a strong financial and business control environment of the company. Subsequently, the incumbent in this position brings extensive financial and operational audit experience to perform a mix of operational audits, financial audits, and SOX work. The individual in this position also has experience in testing, measuring and evaluating of internal controls; auditing of policies, procedures, practices; maintaining risk and control documentation; process improvement; drafting reports; and working on ad hoc projects on request.

Accountability:   The incumbent works in an environment of routinely sensitive and confidential issues; therefore, the person in this position must have the ability to achieve policy objectives with respect to fair and equitable treatment, including accountability for confidentiality of information. As a responsible professional, the incumbent must work independently and exercise initiative and judgment in the performance of the core job responsibilities of this position. The Internal Auditor is responsible for reviewing compliance with the company’s guidelines for ethical business conduct.
The Internal Auditor is accountable to both the SOX Compliance Supervisor and the Internal Audit Manager in identifying areas of risks and opportunities in order to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of auditees’ business processes.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
• Supports the team on a wide variety of internal audits: financial, operational, information technology, environmental, management reviews, management advisory services, and special projects
• Gathers and analyzes data through a variety of methods including interviews, financial research, downloads, etc.
• Assists in documenting and testing company’s ongoing compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley requirements
• Performs audits through and around the J.D. Edwards One World system and Customer Care and Billing (CCB) System
• Responsible for completion of individual audit projects, including development and completion of audit programs, performance of fieldwork, preparation of working papers, clearing audit comments, draft recommendations and draft reports with minimal supervision.
• Assists in development and completion of audit programs, performance of field work and preparation of working papers, audit comments and recommendations
• Provides support to the company’s public accountants as necessary
• Prepares comprehensive working papers in accordance with Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) standards
• Researches and understands current standards of auditing practices
• Works under direction of SOX Compliance Supervisor or Internal Audit Manager
• Performs other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications
• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Accounting, Finance or closely related discipline
• A minimum of three years of audit experience, preferably within a publicly traded company, a public accounting firm, or a public/ private mix, is required
• Professional certification as CPA, CIA, or advanced degree preferred
• If not a CPA or CIA, actively seeking to attain certification
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Products software (Word/Excel/Access) is required.
• Experience with the JD Edwards accounting software preferred
• SOX experience is required

Competencies:

• Skills, Knowledge and Audit Tools & Techniques
  • Strong oral and written communication skills; analytical and project management skills
  • Flexibility to handle multiple assignments
  • Ability to meet established deadlines
  • Demonstrated problem identification and solution skills
  • Ability to communicate, interact and work effectively and cooperatively with all people including those from diverse ethnic and educational backgrounds
  • Ability to recognize the importance of safety in the workplace, follow safety rules, practice safe work habits, utilize appropriate safety equipment and report unsafe conditions to the appropriate supervisor
  • Risk analysis and control assessment techniques
  • Identifying types of controls
  • Keeping up to date with industry and regulatory changes and professional standards
  • General Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS) as well as Internal Audit Standards
  • Ethics and Fraud
  • Enterprise risk management

The position will require approximately 20% travel out-of-town; local travel to field offices is frequent.

Qualities of a Successful Internal Auditor
• Trustworthy; strong personal integrity
• Demonstrates strong level accountability and ownership
• Executes with discipline and urgency
• Demonstrated negotiating skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; solid presentation skills
• Collaborative/Team oriented
• Emotional Maturity
• Exhibits professionalism with internal and external contacts
• Organized with strong attention to detail and time management skills
• Data analysis skills including ability to use advanced features of Excel (pivot tables, graphs, charts)
• High degree of initiative; self-starter

The above job description is not intended to be, nor should it be construed as, exhaustive of all responsibilities, skills or competencies associated with this job.
May include but not limited to travel to other Company facilities, standing, climbing, walking, lifting, bending, pulling and/or pushing, grasping, reaching, stooping and crouching, sitting, typing, walking, reading, writing, color determination, speaking and listening for extended periods of time.