Vice President, Internal Audit

Description

RPI Executive Search is currently partnering with AutoCanada (TSX : ACQ) in their search for a Vice President, Internal Audit.

AutoCanada is a publicly traded, multi-location automotive dealership group operating in both Canada and the United States.

Headquartered in Edmonton, the organization maintains operations across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Illinois.

The multi-location dealership model enables AutoCanada to serve a diversified geographic customer base providing a range of services to customers including new and used vehicle sales, financing, leasing, automotive service and repair, collision repair, and parts sales.

Since its inception in 2006, AutoCanada has experienced significant growth and success. In 2023, the organization generated revenues over $6B and sold over 100,000 vehicles.

AutoCanada currently has 66 Canadian franchise dealers, 18 US franchise dealers, 28 brands, 27 collision centres, 13 RightRide division locations, 3 used vehicle dealerships, and 1 used vehicle auction business, and over 6,000 team members.

The Opportunity

The Vice President, Internal Audit will lead the implementation and operations of the Internal Audit function to help AutoCanada manage and mitigate risks.

The Vice President, Internal Audit will serve as a strategic partner within the business to help ensure alignment with the strategic plan, referred to as Project Elevate.

As a result, the role requires a healthy amount of collaboration, adaptability, an entrepreneurial mindset, and a hands-on, sleeves-rolled-up approach.

As the most senior audit professional within AutoCanada, the Vice President, Internal Audit will report directly to the Audit Committee and indirectly to the Chief Financial Officer.

The Vice President, Internal Audit will be responsible for internal audit-related planning, programming, reporting, review, advisory, and communication with relevant stakeholders.

The Vice President of Internal Audit will oversee and collaborate with the Company’s internal audit co-source partner. You will also work closely with the Vice President of Finance, the Vice President of Operational Finance, and the Vice President of Information Management, and operational leaders throughout the organization.

Key Responsibilities

The responsibilities of this role include, but are not limited to :

• Working with the Audit Committee and the Chief Financial Officer to grow the Internal Audit function.
• Leading Internal Audit activities in alignment with the Strategic Plan to elevate and standardize processes across the organization, such as store internal audits and Project Elevate readiness assessments.
• Develop and maintain enterprise-wide risk management program including major risk register.
• Managing the relationship and internal audit activities performed by the co-source partner(s).
• Generating the risk-based 3-Year Internal Audit Strategic Plan and Annual Internal Audit Plan.
• Participating in quarterly Audit Committee meetings and weekly leadership meetings.
• Presenting information to key stakeholders.

Short-term focus areas include :

• Implementing the Internal Audit function and communication with key stakeholders.
• Reviewing the design of the Anti-Fraud program, including the Whistleblower Hotline, and implementing enhancements.
• Executing the 2024 Internal Audit Plan.

Long-term focus areas include :

• Providing leadership and guidance to support a desired long-term strategy of transitioning the Internal Audit functionality in house.
• Ongoing monitoring of Disclosure Controls and Procedures ( DC&P ) and Internal Controls over Financial Reporting ( ICFR ), and the Anti-Fraud Program (including the Whistleblower Hotline).
• Collaborating with the Operations Team to include advisory activities into the Internal Audit Plan that support the company’s strategic initiatives.
• Providing enterprise risk management leadership and support, including maintaining and enhancing an enterprise-wide risk register.

Candidate Experience

While no individual will embody every quality, the successful candidate will bring many of the following professional qualifications and personal competencies :

Experience and Functional Competencies

• In-depth experience conducting risk assessments and evaluation of controls related to IT systems, financial (DC&P, ICFR) and operational audits.
• Experience developing and / or implementing enterprise risk management programs.
• Experienced in maintaining a strategic view of the Internal Audit function in relation to broader business goals and directions.
• Experience identifying risk and developing a risk-based internal audit plan.
• Experience working within a complex, multi-location business environment.
• Skilled in process and procedure transformations and improvements.
• Experience presenting in a business context.
• Knowledge of Oracle, CDK, OneStream and Tableau applications would be considered assets.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and French would be considered an asset.

Education

• Completion of a relevant undergraduate degree.
• CPA, CIA, CISA, or other relevant professional designations.

Behavioural Competencies and Personal Attributes

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• A well-defined sense of diplomacy, including negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• Purposeful and career-focused attitude with an enterprising spirit and a fervent desire to be successful.
• Meticulous, initiative-taking, and resourceful with a growth mindset.
• The capability to remain agile and adaptable in the face of change.
• Skilled both in working independently with minimal oversight and in collaborating effectively.
1 day ago