General Job Function

The Interim Audit Manager is responsible for support, coordinating, and overseeing the district's internal audit functions to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws, Board policies, administrative regulations, and special audit from the New Mexico State Auditors office generally accepted accounting principles. The position provides leadership in evaluating financial operations, internal controls, business processes, and risk management practices while promoting accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement throughout Española Public Schools.

The Interim Audit Manager serves as the primary liaison between the district and external auditors and works collaboratively with district leadership to strengthen internal controls, improve operational efficiency, and ensure fiscal integrity.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The following statements describe the general nature and level of work performed and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities.

Audit Management

• Develop, implement, and manage the District's internal audit program.
• Plan, conduct, supervise, and complete operational, financial, compliance, and special audits.
• Develop annual and long-range audit plans based on organizational risk assessments.
• Establish audit objectives, scope, methodologies, and timelines.
• Monitor audit progress to ensure projects are completed efficiently and accurately.

Compliance and Risk Management

• Evaluate compliance with:
• • Federal laws and regulations
  • State of New Mexico statutes
  • New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) requirements
  • Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) standards
  • Board policies and administrative procedures
• Identify financial, operational, and compliance risks.
• Evaluate internal control systems and recommend improvements to reduce risk and strengthen accountability.
• Ensure corrective actions are implemented following audit findings.

Financial Analysis

• Review and analyze financial records, accounting systems, payroll, procurement, grants, and business operations.
• Assess the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls.
• Identify process inefficiencies, duplicate procedures, and opportunities for operational improvements.
• Analyze financial statements and supporting documentation for accuracy and compliance.

Reporting

• Prepare comprehensive audit reports documenting:
• • Findings
  • Risk assessments
  • Recommendations
  • Corrective action plans
• Present audit findings to the Superintendent, Executive Leadership Team, Board of Education, and other stakeholders.
• Monitor implementation of corrective action plans and conduct follow-up reviews.

External Audit Coordination

• Serve as the District's primary liaison with independent external auditors.
• Coordinate audit schedules, documentation requests, and communications.
• Ensure timely completion of annual financial audits and other required reviews.
• Assist departments in preparing documentation requested by external agencies.

Leadership and Supervision

• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate audit personnel.
• Assign work based on staff expertise and workload.
• Review audit work papers for completeness and quality.
• Promote professional development through coaching, training, and performance feedback.
• Foster collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Operational Improvement

• Identify business process risks and operational inefficiencies.
• Develop testing methodologies to evaluate control effectiveness.
• Recommend improvements that increase operational efficiency and fiscal accountability.
• Assist departments with implementing best practices.

Resource Management

• Allocate personnel and resources to maximize efficiency.
• Prioritize audit projects based on organizational risk.
• Maintain audit schedules and project timelines.

Other Duties

• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive financial and personnel information.
• Stay current with auditing standards, governmental accounting practices, and regulatory requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Superintendent.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The successful candidate shall demonstrate:

• Thorough knowledge of governmental auditing standards and practices.
• Knowledge of accounting principles, financial reporting, budgeting, and internal controls.
• Knowledge of school finance and governmental accounting preferred.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to assess organizational risk and evaluate internal control systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and project management abilities.
• Ability to interpret laws, regulations, policies, and financial data.
• Ability to prepare clear and comprehensive reports.
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and financial management software.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a closely related field.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible auditing, accounting, or financial management experience.
• Minimum of two (2) years of supervisory or leadership experience.
• Experience conducting operational, financial, and compliance audits.
• Valid driver's license.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
• Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
• Certified Government Auditing Professional (CGAP)
• Experience with governmental or public-sector auditing.
• Experience in New Mexico public schools or other governmental agencies.
• Knowledge of NMPED regulations and federal grant compliance.

Working Conditions

• Primarily performed in an office environment.
• Frequent use of computers and standard office equipment.
• Occasional travel between district facilities and external agencies.
• May require extended hours during audit cycles and fiscal year-end activities.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

• Sit for extended periods.
• Stand and walk as needed.
• Lift and carry up to 25 pounds occasionally.
• Bend, reach, and stoop.
• Use hands and fingers for keyboarding and document handling.

Communicate effectively in person and by telephone.

General Job Function

The Interim Audit Manager is responsible for support, coordinating, and overseeing the district's internal audit functions to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws, Board policies, administrative regulations, and special audit from the New Mexico State Auditors office generally accepted accounting principles. The position provides leadership in evaluating financial operations, internal controls, business processes, and risk management practices while promoting accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement throughout Española Public Schools.

The Interim Audit Manager serves as the primary liaison between the district and external auditors and works collaboratively with district leadership to strengthen internal controls, improve operational efficiency, and ensure fiscal integrity.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The following statements describe the general nature and level of work performed and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities.

Audit Management

• Develop, implement, and manage the District's internal audit program.
• Plan, conduct, supervise, and complete operational, financial, compliance, and special audits.
• Develop annual and long-range audit plans based on organizational risk assessments.
• Establish audit objectives, scope, methodologies, and timelines.
• Monitor audit progress to ensure projects are completed efficiently and accurately.

Compliance and Risk Management

• Evaluate compliance with:
• • Federal laws and regulations
  • State of New Mexico statutes
  • New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) requirements
  • Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) standards
  • Board policies and administrative procedures
• Identify financial, operational, and compliance risks.
• Evaluate internal control systems and recommend improvements to reduce risk and strengthen accountability.
• Ensure corrective actions are implemented following audit findings.

Financial Analysis

• Review and analyze financial records, accounting systems, payroll, procurement, grants, and business operations.
• Assess the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls.
• Identify process inefficiencies, duplicate procedures, and opportunities for operational improvements.
• Analyze financial statements and supporting documentation for accuracy and compliance.

Reporting

• Prepare comprehensive audit reports documenting:
• • Findings
  • Risk assessments
  • Recommendations
  • Corrective action plans
• Present audit findings to the Superintendent, Executive Leadership Team, Board of Education, and other stakeholders.
• Monitor implementation of corrective action plans and conduct follow-up reviews.

External Audit Coordination

• Serve as the District's primary liaison with independent external auditors.
• Coordinate audit schedules, documentation requests, and communications.
• Ensure timely completion of annual financial audits and other required reviews.
• Assist departments in preparing documentation requested by external agencies.

Leadership and Supervision

• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate audit personnel.
• Assign work based on staff expertise and workload.
• Review audit work papers for completeness and quality.
• Promote professional development through coaching, training, and performance feedback.
• Foster collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Operational Improvement

• Identify business process risks and operational inefficiencies.
• Develop testing methodologies to evaluate control effectiveness.
• Recommend improvements that increase operational efficiency and fiscal accountability.
• Assist departments with implementing best practices.

Resource Management

• Allocate personnel and resources to maximize efficiency.
• Prioritize audit projects based on organizational risk.
• Maintain audit schedules and project timelines.

Other Duties

• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive financial and personnel information.
• Stay current with auditing standards, governmental accounting practices, and regulatory requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Superintendent.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The successful candidate shall demonstrate:

• Thorough knowledge of governmental auditing standards and practices.
• Knowledge of accounting principles, financial reporting, budgeting, and internal controls.
• Knowledge of school finance and governmental accounting preferred.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to assess organizational risk and evaluate internal control systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and project management abilities.
• Ability to interpret laws, regulations, policies, and financial data.
• Ability to prepare clear and comprehensive reports.
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and financial management software.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a closely related field.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible auditing, accounting, or financial management experience.
• Minimum of two (2) years of supervisory or leadership experience.
• Experience conducting operational, financial, and compliance audits.
• Valid driver's license.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
• Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
• Certified Government Auditing Professional (CGAP)
• Experience with governmental or public-sector auditing.
• Experience in New Mexico public schools or other governmental agencies.
• Knowledge of NMPED regulations and federal grant compliance.

Working Conditions

• Primarily performed in an office environment.
• Frequent use of computers and standard office equipment.
• Occasional travel between district facilities and external agencies.
• May require extended hours during audit cycles and fiscal year-end activities.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

• Sit for extended periods.
• Stand and walk as needed.
• Lift and carry up to 25 pounds occasionally.
• Bend, reach, and stoop.
• Use hands and fingers for keyboarding and document handling.

Communicate effectively in person and by telephone.