Chief Audit Executive

Website University of Texas at Dallas

The University of Texas at Dallas seeks an accomplished, principled, and forward-thinking leader to serve as its next Chief Audit Executive (CAE). This is a compelling opportunity for a trusted advisor and strategic audit professional to lead an independent, high-impact internal audit function that strengthens institutional integrity, enhances risk management, and advances a culture of accountability and continuous improvement across the University.

As a strategic partner to university leadership and the Institutional Audit Committee, the Chief Audit Executive (CAE) helps advance the University’s approach to governance, risk management, and internal control in support of long‑term institutional success. The CAE provides vision, leadership, and direction for the University’s Audit & Advisory Services and its professional practices. In delivering independent, objective assurance and forward‑looking advisory services to the Institutional Audit Committee, the President, and senior management, the CAE offers insight, foresight, and perspective on emerging risks and opportunities. Through a systematic and disciplined approach, the CAE serves as a trusted advisor and thought leader, strengthening decision‑making, enhancing accountability, and fostering an ethics‑based culture across the campus.

Essential Duties

Provide independent assurance services by:
  • Developing an annual audit plan based upon an accepted risk assessment methodology and approved by the Institutional Audit Committee and by the Audit, Compliance and Risk Management Committee of the Board of Regents with input from the Institution President, University leadership, and the Institutional Audit Committee.
  • Managing the timely accomplishment of the audit plan and monitoring progress based upon the Institute of Internal Auditors’ Global Internal Audit Standards.
  • Providing verbal and/or written communications of audit findings and recommending improvements based upon results.
  • Performing follow-up of corrective action taken by management for recommendations; and
  • Coordinating external audits and reviews.
Provide advisory and consulting services, as appropriate, for campus leadership and institutional initiatives, including assessment of governance, controls, and risk management practices related to significant institutional efforts such as major capital projects.

Conduct investigations of suspected fraud or similar activities.

Report the status of activities to the UT System Audit Office, Institution President, the Internal Audit Committee, and institutional management as needed by:
  • Preparing Institutional Audit Committee meeting materials in coordination with the Audit Committee Chair.
  • Maintaining a close working relationship with the Institutional Audit Committee Chair.
  • Preparing the required UT System and State reports.
  • Reporting on the status of outstanding recommendations.
Maintain a position as a trusted advisor and provide value added services to the institution by:
  • Meeting with the President and senior management to nurture an effective working relationship with institutional management as appropriate to maintain a flow of communication.
  • Providing or assisting with training and awareness activities fostering a control conscious environment on campus.
  • Advising management of emerging risks and new compliance requirements.
Ensure resources are adequate and sustained to address campus risks by:
  • Hiring competent staff and encouraging staff to attain professional certifications.
  • Providing development and training opportunities to staff.
Coordinate with other internal and external providers of assurance and audit services to ensure appropriate coverage and minimize duplication of effort, and collaborate as appropriate with campus partners to advance the use of data analytics in audit activities.
Participate in outreach and external involvement to further promote the audit function and the profession by:
  • Participating in campus and UT System Committee meetings as needed.
  • Participating in appropriate professional organizations such as the Institute of Internal Auditors, the Association of College & University Auditors, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, etc.
  • Conducting professional speaking engagements or writing internal auditing articles, as appropriate.
Establish and maintain an active and continuous quality control and improvement program which includes, but is not limited to:
  • Ensuring that external quality assurance review is conducted in conformance with Global Internal Audit Standards and as required by the Texas Internal Auditing Act.
  • Conducting on-going quality control and improvement activities to ensure the highest quality audit program.
Provide administrative oversight for office operations that:
  • Establishes appropriate policies and procedures for office and auditing activities.
  • Ensures office budgets and accounts are appropriately maintained.
  • Conducts annual employee performance evaluations.

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in an applicable field. Ten (10) years of professional audit experience that demonstrates progressive leadership and decision making authority within an institution of higher education, a state or federal agency, or a large professional services firm. Six (6) years of related supervisory experience. Professional and supervisory experience will be counted concurrently. Position requires having and maintaining a current, unexpired Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) credential.

Preferred Qualifications: Master’s degree in business administration (MBA), accounting, management, information systems, or education administration. Experience working with modern, sophisticated, computer-based accounting and financial reporting systems. Experience advising executive or senior leadership.

To apply for this job please visit jobs.utdallas.edu.