Vice President, Internal Audit

Cooper-Standard Automotive•Northville, MI

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

As a direct report to the CFO and Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, the Vice President, Global Internal Audit will provide leadership, strategy, and planning for all internal audit activities across Cooper Standard. This position has final responsibility for all organization-wide audits, and ownership of the audit strategy and resulting audit business objectives and work products. The mission of the department is to provide an independent and qualitative assessment of risk and executive objective reviews. Further, Internal Audit will assist the business in driving continuous improvement in quality and execution by providing unbiased insight and recommendations to management, including value-added partnership via targeted process audits. Specifically, she/he will be expected to: Develop a risk-based audit plan annually that is discussed with Company executives and reviewed and approved by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors (“Audit Committee”) Promote a culture of integrity through communication and collaboration with all internal and external stakeholders. Lead the Company’s Sarbanes-Oxley Act compliance testing program as determined with finance management. Direct the planning and performance of all audits of the Company’s activities, including the issuance of objective audit reports. Evaluate business processes to identify areas of risk, identify related operational and financial controls, assess efficiency and effectiveness of controls and processes, and assist in developing recommendations for improvements. Direct the performance of investigations, special assignments, and other projects requested by the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Legal Officer Provide financial and IT controls consulting and support to IT, finance, and business management. Coordinate with the external auditors to ensure proper audit coverage, elimination of duplication of effort, and improvement in the efficiency and effectiveness of audit activities. Lead the Company’s Enterprise Risk Management process to ensure that risks are identified and reviewed annually and that risk management plans are embedded in various business processes. Keep abreast of all internal and external professional and technical developments that may affect audit requirements, approach, or reporting, and take appropriate courses of action to meet such developments. Manage, recruit, and develop a professional audit staff with the knowledge, skills, and experience to achieve effective auditing, with an increased focus on leadership development and collaboration. Be accountable for audit goals, budgets, staffing and operations. Benchmark the department and audit procedures on a regular basis in pursuit of better practices and continuous improvement.

Requirements

The successful candidate will have a minimum of fifteen years progressively more responsible audit and finance experience, ideally in both public accounting and within a large, global industrial corporation.
Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting or related business field required.
CPA required; Big 4 public accounting experience preferred.
15 + years of finance and accounting experience, preferably in a publicly traded, global company.
Five plus years of public accounting, internal controls, or internal auditing experience, preferably at the senior manager level
Solid understanding of accounting principles and application, business processes, and internal controls
Ability to operate effectively within a diverse, global, multinational company.
Proven track record of attracting, retaining, and developing a diverse audit or finance team, with strong emphasis on leadership development.
Understanding of information technology general controls and auditing financial systems
Unquestioned ethics and integrity
Ability to think and act independently and objectively.
Strong executive presence and credibility with all stakeholders including senior management, Board members, and external auditors.
Excellent interpersonal skills, including ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing into a form suitable for an executive-level audience.
Superior analytical, problem solving, critical, and strategic thinking skills; strong judgement.
Intellectual curiosity: ability to quickly assimilate relevant information in unfamiliar situations.
Successful track record of managing and developing a team with diverse backgrounds and levels of expertise.
Ability to thrive in a fast paced, rapidly changing work environment with many competing priorities.
Ability to collaborate and build strong relationships with all stakeholders including auditees, external auditors and other constituents through strong business partnering skills.
Ability to build consensus through strong influencing and negotiation skills, especially when delivering unfavorable findings.

Nice To Haves

MBA or other advanced degree(s) considered a plus.
Exposure to manufacturing desirable
Experience beyond Audit highly desired; interest and ability to move into other senior finance roles in the future.

Responsibilities

Develop a risk-based audit plan annually that is discussed with Company executives and reviewed and approved by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors (“Audit Committee”)
Promote a culture of integrity through communication and collaboration with all internal and external stakeholders.
Lead the Company’s Sarbanes-Oxley Act compliance testing program as determined with finance management.
Direct the planning and performance of all audits of the Company’s activities, including the issuance of objective audit reports.
Evaluate business processes to identify areas of risk, identify related operational and financial controls, assess efficiency and effectiveness of controls and processes, and assist in developing recommendations for improvements.
Direct the performance of investigations, special assignments, and other projects requested by the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Legal Officer
Provide financial and IT controls consulting and support to IT, finance, and business management.
Coordinate with the external auditors to ensure proper audit coverage, elimination of duplication of effort, and improvement in the efficiency and effectiveness of audit activities.
Lead the Company’s Enterprise Risk Management process to ensure that risks are identified and reviewed annually and that risk management plans are embedded in various business processes.
Keep abreast of all internal and external professional and technical developments that may affect audit requirements, approach, or reporting, and take appropriate courses of action to meet such developments.
Manage, recruit, and develop a professional audit staff with the knowledge, skills, and experience to achieve effective auditing, with an increased focus on leadership development and collaboration.
Be accountable for audit goals, budgets, staffing and operations.
Benchmark the department and audit procedures on a regular basis in pursuit of better practices and continuous improvement.