Internal Audit Director

Location: London

Status: Permanent

Reports to:  Chair of the IFRS Foundation Audit and Risk Committee, who is a member of the IFRS Foundation Trustees.

Job purpose

The Internal Audit Director role provides assurance on the effectiveness of the Foundation’s internal controls, governance, and risk management processes to the Foundation’s Trustees, through the execution of a comprehensive internal audit program leveraging a partially outsourced operating model.  The role requires close engagement with senior Foundation staff including the Executive Director, the Operational and Technical leadership, the Chairs and Vice-Chairs of the standard setting Boards and the IFRS Foundation’s wider leadership team.

Principal accountabilities:

Key focus areas

• With reference to and with respect for input from the Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee, develop and implement a prioritised, risk-based internal audit strategy, to include a robust execution plan and approval process
• Work autonomously leading the internal audit program with independent, objective assurance, develop recommendations with refence to the internal audit strategy, assessing the effectiveness and efficiency of operations and identifying potential risks and control weaknesses across key business areas, including:
  • reliability of financial and management reporting
  • compliance with laws, regulations and policies
  • policies, including those related to operational practices such as business travel
  • technology offering (IT and telecoms) and its capacity to support the business through its growth trajectory
  • optimising processes and identifying those that could be automated
  • resourcing strategy and recruitment policy and practices to ensure they are fit for purpose and meet the strategic and practical needs of the business
  • safeguarding of assets
  • scope of sustainability-related risks and level of integration into the Foundation’s strategic plans
• Facilitate the development of an annual update of the internal audit strategy in consultation with and with respect for the views of the Audit and Risk Committee.
• On a periodic basis, assess the internal audit operating model and recommend any changes to the Audit and Risk Committee.

Reporting

• Attend meetings with stakeholders, monitor progress and resolution status and report on progress on a regular basis to the Audit and Risk Committee and the wider Trustee group, as required
• Clearly communicate risk management and control issues identified, proactively recommend the most appropriate/effective resolutions and present audit reports effectively to management. 
• Liaise with the Chair of the Audit and the Risk Committee to agree the agenda of associated meetings, produce supporting papers and to ensure all follow-up actions are completed.

Third party engagement

• Manage the engagement and relationship with the third party/outsourcing partner, including reviewing outputs, monitoring the status of the work, reviewing invoices against budget and querying rates and hours as needed.
• Assess third party auditors or subject matter experts that support the delivery of the internal audit plan
• If required, develop a tender process, present recommendations to the Audit and Risk Committee.

Relationships with stakeholders

• Operate the internal audit function as a positively focused, learning orientated, collaborative but objective and challenging colleague
• Communicate internal audit requirements to internal stakeholders to ensure outputs are understood. Follow up on recommendations to ensure agreed actions have been adequately addressed
• Build and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders, in particular, the Operational and Technical Leadership team, to ensure internal audit work adds value and contributes to strategic decision making in relation to governance, compliance, finance, risk and control
• Continuously work toward broadening network, educating staff on the role of internal audit and strengthening relationships across business areas.

Skills, experience and qualifications required

• Professional accountancy or internal audit qualification (e.g. ACA, CMIIA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA)
• Extensive internal audit experience and practical application of current internal audit tools and techniques with an appreciation of sound risk management and governance practice
• Ability to exercise professional judgement objectively and with integrity, independently with strong conceptual and analytical skills
• Ability to relate to the needs and operating environment of an international, not-for-profit body with a public interest mission
• Strong communication, influencing, collaboration and relationship-building skills with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels across different jurisdictions
• The ability to handle sensitive and confidential material with tact and diplomacy
• Track record of working effectively at C-suite level
• Experience of working under pressure to tight deadlines and juggling a range of priorities.

 

Application Closing Date:  20th July 2025

Please note that while we have a closing date for this application, we reserve the right to interview candidates and potentially close the role early should we find a suitable candidate before the closing date.

 

 

Help shape the future of reporting for global financial markets

The IFRS Foundation is a public interest, not-for profit organisation that sets corporate reporting standards for the capital markets globally. IFRS Accounting Standards are required for use by more than 140 countries whilst IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards are rapidly becoming the global baseline for sustainability disclosures worldwide.

We are a highly diverse and inclusive organisation. Our 350+ staff come from more than 45+ different countries and are united in supporting the mission of the Foundation to bring transparency, accountability and efficiency to capital markets worldwide. With offices in London, Frankfurt, Montreal, Tokyo, Beijing and San Francisco, the Foundation is truly a global standard-setter.

 

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