| Detail | For this role |
|---|---|
| Department | Finance and Accounts |
| Level | Manager |
| Reports to | Head of Internal Audit |
| Direct reports | Internal Auditor, Audit Executive |
| Experience | 6 to 10 years in internal audit with team leading |
Internal Audit Manager job description template
Copy this job description, replace the text in square brackets and post it on your careers page or a job portal.
Job title: Internal Audit Manager
Department: Finance and Accounts
Reports to: Head of Internal Audit
Location: [City], [office, branch or site]
About the role
An Internal Audit Manager plans and runs internal audits and reports on how well controls and processes are working. They execute the audit plan, lead field work across functions and sites, document findings and follow up on fixes. The role reports to the Head of Internal Audit and leads auditors and executives. A good Internal Audit Manager tests the right risks, writes clear findings that people can act on, and drives real improvement rather than just listing gaps.
Key responsibilities
- Plan and scope individual audits from the approved annual audit plan.
- Lead field work across finance, procurement, operations, sales and stores.
- Test the design and operation of controls and gather evidence.
- Use data analytics to test full populations, not only samples.
- Document findings, root causes, risks and practical recommendations for each audit.
- Discuss findings with process owners and agree action plans and dates.
- Draft audit reports and present them to the Head of Internal Audit.
- Follow up open actions until they are closed and verified.
- Support fraud and special investigations when assigned by the audit head.
- Guide auditors and executives and review their working papers.
Requirements
- Chartered Accountant (CA) or CIA
- Strong internal audit experience
- CISA or CFE is an advantage
- 6 to 10 years in internal audit with team leading
KRAs and KPIs for a Internal Audit Manager
Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.
| Key result area | How to measure it |
|---|---|
| Audit delivery | Assigned audits completed within the plan schedule every quarter |
| Finding quality | Findings accepted by process owners with actions agreed at closing meetings |
| Action follow up | Open audit actions verified and closed within the committed timeline |
| Coverage | Assigned high risk areas fully covered in the year |
| Report timeliness | Draft reports issued within the agreed days of field work ending |
| Analytics use | Data analytics applied in every audit where data supports it |
Skills and tools
Tools used day to day: Audit management software, IDEA or ACL, Advanced Excel, SAP, Flowcharting tools.
Reporting line and career path
Next roles: Head of Internal Audit, Financial Controller, Risk Manager
Interview questions for a Internal Audit Manager
- How do you scope an audit so you cover the real risks?
- How do you test a control rather than just confirm it exists?
- How do you use data analytics in a procurement audit?
- How do you write a finding a busy manager will act on?
- How do you handle a process owner who rejects your finding?
- How do you make sure agreed actions actually get closed?
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What does an Internal Audit Manager do?
An Internal Audit Manager plans and runs internal audits. They scope audits from the annual plan, lead field work across functions and sites, test controls, use data analytics, document findings and follow up on fixes. They report to the Head of Internal Audit and lead auditors and executives, driving real process improvement.
What is the difference between an Internal Audit Manager and a Head of Internal Audit?
A Head of Internal Audit owns the audit plan, reports to the audit committee and sets strategy and independence. An Internal Audit Manager executes that plan: scoping, running audits, writing findings and following up. The head sets direction and reports to the board; the manager delivers the audits.
What qualifications does an Internal Audit Manager need?
Most Internal Audit Manager roles ask for a Chartered Accountant qualification or a CIA with six or more years in internal audit, including team leading. Strong controls testing, data analytics and report writing are essential. A CISA helps for IT audits and a CFE for fraud investigations.