Principal Auditor - Office of the State Auditor

Location: Augusta,Maine,United States

Office of the State Auditor

Principal Auditor

Opening Date:  May 22, 2024
Closing Date:  June 13, 2024
Job Title:  Principal Auditor

Job Class Code:  0339
Grade:  30

Administrative Unit:  Confidential

Salary: $69,742.40 – $94,827.20* 
Position Number:  007000591

OPEN FOR RECRUITMENT:  May 22, 2024 – June 13, 2024

*Actual starting salary will depend upon factors such as experience, certifications, recommendations, and education.

Are you an accounting and auditing professional with strong critical thinking and managerial skills? Are you looking to be part of a team of dedicated professionals who deliver critical services to the citizens of the State of Maine?  If so, we have an opportunity for you! 

Agency Information:  The Office of the State Auditor is an innovative organization that acts as the independent auditor for the State of Maine.  The Office works with Maine State Government agencies to complete the State’s annual Single Audit, comprised of the financial statement and Federal compliance audits.  The Office has the statutory authority to audit all accounts and other financial records of State government, including any counties, municipalities, and any organization, institution or other entity receiving or requesting an appropriation or grant from State government.  The Office is also authorized to review departmental budgets and capital programs for better and efficient management of State government, and to serve as a staff agency to the Legislature and the Governor in making investigations of State’s finances.  The Office conducts its audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, and the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996, United States Code, Section 7501-7507.

Job Duties:  The Principal Auditor serves as a technical expert assisting senior management in planning, designing, and administering complex audit assignments, performing controversial high profile audit assignments, including special examinations requested by the Maine Legislature, and providing interpretation of State and federal laws, rules and regulations and changes in accounting principles to managers of other State agencies under audit. The Principal Auditor develops procedures to improve efficiency of overall audit process, provides supervision to other staff auditors and independently evaluates their performance to identify an individual’s professional development and training needs and assisting senior management in developing new uses of technology in the audit process. The position requires sound judgment and the ability to work independently. The assigned work schedule is five days per week.

The Principal Auditor must have the following knowledge and abilities:

·        Expertise regarding generally accepted accounting principles (FASB/GASB)

·        Expertise regarding AICPA/GAO auditing standards for governmental organizations

·        Expertise applying modern management principles, practices, and techniques

·        Expertise applying State and federal laws, rules, and regulations

·        Knowledge of diverse operational environments of other governmental entities

·        Ability to interact with all levels of government personnel and to effectively represent the Office

·        Ability to obtain and process information, reach a conclusion, and then explain and defend position, if necessary

·        Ability to review the work of staff for accuracy, completeness, and conformance to auditing standards

·        Ability to analyze and evaluate complex accounting transactions, information technology systems, and systems of internal control

·        Ability to develop and implement policies, interpret complex laws and technical information

·        Ability to plan, organize, assign, and direct audit activities

·        Ability to assess audit risk and adjust to changes as necessary

·        Ability to present before Legislative committees and other high-level meetings with State agency personnel

·        Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field AND eight (8) years of progressively responsible auditing experience, or six (6) years of auditing experience directly related to the government environment.  Experience must include as least three (3) years of supervisory experience.  S