The Role
Lead and execute risk-based internal audits across financial, operational, compliance, and technology areas. Develop audit plans, evaluate control design and effectiveness (including FDICIA), manage engagement teams and co-sourced professionals, coordinate with regulators and external auditors, track remediation, and report findings to management and the Audit Committee. Support continuous improvement of audit methodologies and mentor staff while preserving independence.
Summary Generated by Built In
Job Summary & ResponsibilitiesThe Director of Internal Audit supports the Chief Audit Officer in administering a risk-based internal audit program that provides independent assurance over governance, risk management, internal controls, financial reporting, and compliance. This position leads assigned audits and program activities, evaluates the design and operating effectiveness of controls, and communicates results to business and executive leadership. The role also provides day-to-day leadership to audit team members and co-sourced professionals, supports risk assessment and audit planning, monitors issue remediation, and builds collaborative relationships across Bell Bank. The position exercises significant independent judgment while escalating strategic, high-risk, or sensitive matters to the Chief Audit Officer.
Responsibilities
Bell Bank Culture, Policy and Accountability Standards
Education, Experience, and Other Expectations
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Responsibilities
- Audit Program
- Support the Chief Audit Officer in maintaining a comprehensive, risk-based internal audit program aligned with Bell Bank’s size, complexity, risk profile, applicable requirements, and recognized internal audit standards.
- Lead significant components of the annual risk assessment, audit plan, audit calendar, resource planning, and ongoing monitoring of emerging risks.
- Develop, maintain, and enhance audit methodologies, procedures, templates, quality expectations, and written audit programs to reflect changes in operations, risks, regulations, and industry practices.
- Recommend changes to audit coverage, timing, scope, or resources based on changes in risk and business priorities.
- Audit Procedures
- Plan, lead, execute, and review risk-based audits, advisory reviews, control assessments, and continuous monitoring activities across financial, operational, compliance, technology, and other business areas.
- Evaluate the design and operating effectiveness of processes and internal controls, including controls supporting financial reporting and FDICIA requirements.
- Establish audit objectives, scope, testing strategies, staffing needs, and timelines for assigned engagements.
- Review audit workpapers and reports for accuracy, completeness, clarity, sufficient support for conclusions, and conformance with internal audit standards and regulatory expectations.
- Identify root causes, assess risk and impact, develop practical recommendations, and communicate results timely to management and executive leadership.
- Lead opening, status, and closing meetings, including discussions involving complex or sensitive audit matters.
- Audit Coordination & Support
- Coordinate audit activities and information requests involving management, external auditors, regulators, examiners, and co-sourced or third-party professionals.
Provide day-to-day direction, coaching, review, and technical guidance to audit team members and other professionals supporting the audit plan. - Monitor engagement budgets, timelines, deliverables, and resource needs, and resolve or escalate barriers to timely completion.
- Develop collaborative relationships with business leaders while preserving Internal Audit’s independence and objectivity.
- Serve as a subject matter resource on internal controls, risk management, audit practices, and effective issue remediation.
- Coordinate audit activities and information requests involving management, external auditors, regulators, examiners, and co-sourced or third-party professionals.
- Reporting & Issue Tracking
- Prepare and review clear, concise audit reports, executive summaries, presentations, dashboards, and other communications for management, executive leadership, and the Audit Committee.
- Oversee the tracking and validation of audit findings, management action plans, corrective action deadlines, risk acceptances, and overdue issues.
- Identify recurring, thematic, or systemic control issues and communicate trends to the Chief Audit Officer and relevant stakeholders.
- Support reporting on Internal Audit performance, audit plan progress, issue status, and other key indicators.
- Promote knowledge sharing, professional development, consistent execution, and continuous improvement within the Internal Audit function.
Bell Bank Culture, Policy and Accountability Standards
- Know and live Bell Bank’s values, bottom line, customer service standards, Golden Rules, and LOCBUTN by building personal connections with customers and employees and using their names as often as possible.
- Conduct activities consistent with established Bell Bank policies, procedures and systems, the Code of Conduct, the Bank Secrecy Act and all applicable state and federal laws and regulations.
- All employees are responsible for information security, including compliance with policies and standards which protect sensitive information.
- Prompt and reliable attendance.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Education, Experience, and Other Expectations
- Bachelor’s Degree in accounting, finance, business, information systems, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
- 8-10 years of progressively responsible experience in internal audit, external audit, public accounting, regulatory examination, risk management, or a related assurance function.
- 4-6 years of experience in the financial services industry is preferred.
- Demonstrated experience leading complex audits, reviewing workpapers and reports, managing multiple engagements, and providing direction to staff or co-sourced professionals.
- Experience with financial reporting controls, FDICIA, banking operations, regulatory examinations, and applicable banking requirements is preferred.
- CPA, CIA, CISA, or another relevant professional designation is strongly preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Ability to exercise independent judgment, manage confidential and sensitive matters, influence stakeholders, and escalate significant risks appropriately.
- Proven leadership, coaching, project management, and resource coordination skills.
- Exceptional analytical, critical thinking, research, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
- Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills, including the ability to communicate complex and sensitive matters clearly to varied audiences.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, exercise sound judgment, work independently, and deliver high-quality work within established timelines.
- Ability to build effective relationships, influence change, and maintain independence and objectivity.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and audit management or data analytics tools. Experience with AuditBoard is preferred.
- Due to the nature of the audit function, must maintain a high level of confidentiality at all times.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business, information systems, or related field (or equivalent experience)
- 8-10 years of progressively responsible experience in internal audit, external audit, public accounting, regulatory examination, risk management, or related assurance function
- Demonstrated experience leading complex audits, reviewing workpapers and reports, managing multiple engagements, and directing staff or co-sourced professionals
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and audit management or data analytics tools
- Experience in the financial services industry (banking)
- Experience with financial reporting controls, FDICIA, banking operations, and regulatory examinations
- Professional designation (CPA, CIA, CISA, or other relevant credential)
- Maintain a high level of confidentiality and exercise independent judgment when handling sensitive matters
Bell Bank Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Bell Bank and has not been reviewed or approved by Bell Bank.
-
Strong & Reliable Incentives — Bonuses and performance incentives are a recurring component of pay, including in some frontline and part-time roles. Variable pay appears to augment base salaries across multiple job families.
-
Equity Value & Accessibility — An employee stock ownership plan is highlighted alongside profit sharing, giving employees accessible ownership participation. This structure can add long-term value beyond base pay.
-
Leave & Time Off Breadth — Paid vacation and holidays, bereavement leave, and paid volunteer hours are included. Parental leave options (maternity, paternity, adoption) further broaden time-off coverage.
Bell Bank Insights
Am I A Good Fit?
Get Personalized Job Insights.
Our AI-powered fit analysis compares your resume with a job listing so you know if your skills & experience align.
Success! Refresh the page to see how your skills align with this role.
The Company
What We Do
People matter at Bell Bank – and it shows in how our team members treat each other, our customers and those around us. As members of the Bell Bank family, we provide unequaled personal service, working in the best interest of those we serve. Our award-winning workplace promotes success, recognizes achievement – and offers an environment focused on having fun while helping others. At Bell, we build careers. We build community. We positively impact lives around us. Employees are actively encouraged to volunteer (receiving 16 hours of paid volunteer time annually), and our unique Pay It Forward initiative has empowered more than $17 million in employee giving to people and causes we care about. Founded in 1966 and headquartered in Fargo, North Dakota, Bell has grown to become one of the nation’s largest independently owned banks. A family- and employee-owned company, Bell has full-service bank locations in North Dakota, Minnesota, and Arizona and mortgage offices in multiple states. Bell Bank is a Member FDIC, Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and an Equal Housing Lender (we lend without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, handicap or familial status). Investment and wealth management services are not FDIC insured, have no bank guarantee, may lose value, not a deposit and not insured by any federal government agency.
