Responsible for providing risk-based, value-add, independent and objective assurance, advice and insight to Management and the Board of Directors through process improvement, appraisal, evaluation and reporting of the adequacy and effective application of administrative, accounting, and operating procedures/controls and risk identification and analysis for the protection of all Association assets.

Note: There is one position available, and this position will be filled at either the Staff Auditor (NB20) or Senior Staff Auditor (NB21). This decision will be based on the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate and Tri-State business needs at the time of hire.

Tri-State recognizes the value of a highly-engaged and committed workforce and provides an excellent benefits program that includes: Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Flexible Work Schedules, Health Savings Account (HSA), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Tuition Reimbursement, Life Insurance, Retirement Option, Long Term Disability (LTD), Short Term Disability (STD), Employee Assistant Program (EAP) and Paid Leave Benefits.

Senior Staff Auditor

Hiring Salary Range: $88,000-$111,000

Staff Auditor

Hiring Salary Range: $80,000-$101,000

Actual compensation offer to candidate may vary outside of the posted hiring salary range based upon work experience, education and/or skill level.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct routine audits of Association activities.
• Conduct complex or specialized audits of Association activities, external affiliated organizations and vendors.
• Develop specialized audit programs and risk assessments to perform audit assignments related to activities, procedures and/or systems for financial, contract, operational and/or information technology functions.
• Review procedures and methodologies and validate internal controls related to the performance of cycle counts, test counts or other audit techniques for the verification of materials and supplies inventory and other physical assets.
• Examine tests, evaluate and provide advisory services in the development of Association financial, accounting treatment, administrative and operational controls, IT systems, programs and procedures.
• Prepare oral and written reports for management and the Board of Directors to summarize audit work performed, evaluate audit testing results and provide recommendations for rectifying deficiencies and/or improving operations.
• Perform audit work for the External Auditors under the Direct Assistance model in conjunction with the Association's annual financial audit; including financial process walkthroughs and financial control testing.
• Assist with and provides support to others auditing the Association.
• Serve as audit coordinator for jointly-owned project audits.
• Participate in the annual risk assessment and audit planning process covering financial, operational, contract and information technology areas.
• Plan, organize and direct the work of associate staff auditors and staff auditors when assigned to assist with special/complex audits.
• Perform general management responsibilities in the absence of the Senior Manager Internal Audit.
• Adhere to and demonstrate compliance with appropriate electric utility industry regulatory requirements. Attain knowledge and remain knowledgeable of development in regulations, laws, standards and best practices applicable to the functional area including, but not limited to, Standards of Conduct, Environmental, Employment Law, NERC Reliability Standards and Safety. Must be familiar with, and comply with, all aspects of Corporate Policy C-54, Compliance.
• Demonstrate behavior consistent with Tri-State's culture embodied in the Cooperative principles and spirit and core values of technical competency, respect and dignity, accountability, integrity, trustworthiness, and servant leadership to empower or otherwise enable others to optimally perform their job responsibilities. Demonstrate and promote ethics and behaviors consistent with Tri-State's culture, Board policies, and business practices. Understand and fulfill the role and responsibility for all compliance programs within the company.
• Because Tri-State is an electric utility with continuous service obligations to its customers, regular, reliable, and predictable performance of the essential functions and responsibilities is an essential function of the job.
• Because Tri-State has an obligation to provide continuous, reliable electric service to its customers, the ability to work overtime at any time of the day or week is considered an essential function of the job.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Train and educate members of the Internal Audit team or other personnel on audit methods, internal controls, emerging risks or information technology as needed.
• Advise and collaborate with management on system upgrades, implementation and action plans as needed.
• Participate in special projects, reports, or teams.

SUCCESS FACTORS/JOB COMPETENCIES:

• Persuasion and collaboration: ability to establish a level of trust that provides the basis for reliance on the auditor's judgement and facilitates management acceptance and implementation of audit recommendations.
• Planning: ability to think ahead and plan within timelines and resources; develop scopes, plan and schedule work; set priorities and goals; anticipate and adjust for problems; evaluate workloads; measure and evaluate performance against established goals.
• Decision making: ability to weigh options, consider alternatives, predict outcomes and determine options which are best for the Association. Understand how to balance emotion with reason and make decisions that positively impact themselves, their co-workers, their audit clients and the Association.
• Time management: ability to successfully plan and implement objectives within established timelines and work schedules.
• Critical thinking and analytics: ability and willingness to raise issues and challenge existing practices.
• Ability to analyze problems, make balanced assessments of all relevant circumstances, identify root causes/effects and develop effective solutions.
• Demonstrate behavior consistent with company values.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Confidentiality: respect the value and ownership of information received in the course of audit assignments and safeguard against disclosure without appropriate authority, legal or professional obligation.
• Ethics/code of conduct: adhere to the principles and expectations defined by the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) governing integrity, objectivity, confidentiality and competency in the performance of internal audit services, as well as demonstrate behaviors required to comply with Association values.
• Strong team player: accomplishes tasks by working with others and being a good team player. Recognizes how his/her decisions may impact others; seeks input from others.
• Computer proficiency in operating a personal computer and standard business office applications including Microsoft Office suite, databases, and other related applications.
• Ability to work independently, with minimal direction as a highly motivated self-starter.

REQUIRED JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Training

• Bachelor's degree in, accounting, finance, computer science, management or related area.
• Possess and maintain one of the following certifications: Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)

Knowledge, Skills, and Ability:

• Expert level knowledge of Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) International Professional Practices Framework (IPPF) mandatory guidance and recommended guidance and IIA Code of Conduct.
• Expert understanding of the AICPA Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS) to ensure the accuracy, consistency and verifiability of the auditor's actions and reports.
• Expert understanding of the U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX), the provisions of Section 404 for internal control over financial reporting (ICFR) and COSO's Internal Control-Integrated Framework.
• Working knowledge of the process flows and information technology systems for electric utility generation, transmission, and mining operations and maintenance, energy markets, fuel management, and system interfaces with other business units.
• Ability to perform detail work with a high degree of accuracy in a timely manner.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and verbally.
• Expert level knowledge of computer based financial/accounting/operations systems, data analytical and report writing software, personal computers, spreadsheets, and/or computer program languages.
• Effective interpersonal skills to relate proficiently with all levels of internal and external personnel.
• Ability to lead, facilitate discussions and collaborate with others to effectively solve problems and accomplish Association goals.
• Respect for and ability to exercise sound judgment in the handling of confidential data.
• Expert level knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Practices (GAAP) and theory.
• Working knowledge of information systems controls, security techniques.

Experience:

• Eight (8) years accounting, finance, budget, IT or other related experience.
• Minimum four (4) years auditing experience.
• Experience with data analytics, statistical sampling methods, and root cause analysis.

Other:

• Willingness to travel as required. (Must possess a valid driver's license.)
• Respect for and ability to exercise sound judgment in the handling of confidential data.
• Must be able to demonstrate that he/she can perform all of the essential functions of the position.

Note: The above requirements describe the experience and education qualifications for the Senior Staff Auditor. Those with less experience will be hired at the Staff Auditor level.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical demands: While performing the duties of this position, the incumbent is required to sit for long periods of time and occasionally stand, walk, stoop, bend, reach above and below shoulder level and push/pull objects of varying weights, and lift up to ten pounds. Incumbent is frequently required to use hands and fingers to handle, or feel objects, or controls, talk and hear.

Mental demands: While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent is required to read, write, perform basic math, analyze data and reports, exercise judgment, develop plans, procedures and goals, and present information to others and work under pressure.

Work Environment: While performing the duties of this position, the incumbent is exposed to a moderate level of noise. All of the duties are performed indoors and at a desk, operating office equipment.