Chief Audit Officer

Chief Audit Officer

Degroof Petercam

Brussels, Belgium

Your position

Main focus and challenges:

• Lead the audit team to help the Degroof Petercam Board of Directors and the Executive Committee to protect the assets, the reputation and the continuity of the Bank;
• Lead the internal audit function in providing independent, objective assurance and consulting services designed to add value and improve the organization’s operations. The role ensures compliance with IIA standards, NBB Circulars (e.g., NBB_2015_21), and FSMA expectations, while enhancing risk management, control, and governance processes;
• Adequately and professionally manage the team.

Specific responsibilities:

• Define the three-year audit plan, establish yearly audit plans, allocate resources and plan reviews in order to prioritize the activities of the audit team in line with the organization; Ensure a continuous adaptation of the initial plans depending on the evolution of the risks and the Audit Committee and Executive Committee’s requests;
• Oversee audits covering governance, risk management, compliance, operations, and IT. Ensure audits are conducted in accordance with the IIA standards and local regulatory requirements;
• Organize and prepare the Audit Committee’s meetings, prepare the reporting of audit conclusions and recommendations as well as main issues towards the Audit and Executive Committee. The objective is to ensure regular feedback and an objective evaluation of the internal control activities within all departments of Degroof Petercam Indosuez;
• Determine the objectives, evaluate on a permanent basis the team’s members and manage talent recruitments and development in order to build a strong talents pool;
• Coach and develop the team members to make their expertise grow and improve their professionalism;
• Define the audit strategy, decide on projects’ scope and pilot them to reach the professional performing objectives, manage general costs and continuously improve service quality, ensuring standardization of the delivered output;
• Be the contact person within his/her scope of responsibilities towards the Audit Committee, external stakeholders, other departments and the management to establish a constructive and collaborative environment.

Your profile

• The candidate would preferably be a Chartered Accountant, Certified Public Accountant or Certified Internal Auditor, with career experience with one of the major public accounting firms or major banking institutions. He/She understands and possesses ‘wealth & asset management’ audit experience and has a broad financial services industry background;
• The Chief Audit Officer must have the executive presence to effectively represent the Audit function with the regulators, with the Audit Committee, the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee;
• You have a master’s degree with specialization in Finance, Economics, Actuary or Engineering. Other professional certifications will be considered;
• You have at least 10 years of experience auditing in a financial services environment, ideally in a number one role;
• You have excellent leadership skills, well-defined interpersonal skills and outstanding communication skills;
• You have demonstrated in-depth knowledge of the banking sector, especially asset management and wealth management, including risks and internal controls;
• You can manage multiple priorities, to meet established deadlines, and to effectively adapt to a rapidly changing audit and risk environment;
• You can demonstrate aptitude for establishing and maintaining effective and trusted relationships;
• You have boardroom presence and the ability to operate successfully with senior management, the Audit Committee and the regulators;
• You have an experience in IT concepts, risk and internal controls. You have experience with working with data analytics (a plus);
• You have an analytical, synthetic mind and good English writing skills;
• You are fluent in English, French and preferably Dutch.