Chief of Internal Audit (CIA) / Head of Internal Audit

About the role

The Chief of Internal Audit (CIA) / Head of Internal Audit is a senior executive responsible for leading the internal audit function of a prominent financial services and micro‑finance institution in Sri Lanka. Reporting to the Board Audit Committee and senior leadership, the role provides independent assurance and advisory services to strengthen risk management, internal controls, and governance.

Key responsibilities

• Champion a risk‑based internal audit culture, maintain the IA Charter and ensure alignment with IIA standards, central bank guidelines and group governance manuals.
• Lead enterprise‑wide risk assessments and develop dynamic audit plans covering branch, process and IT operations.
• Provide strategic direction to audit teams, review critical control findings and oversee data‑analytics integration.
• Manage issue tracking, escalation and remediation protocols, and evaluate risk‑acceptance requests.
• Prepare and deliver quarterly and annual reports to the Board Audit Committee, escalating critical gaps, regulatory issues or fraud incidents.
• Drive adoption of modern audit management software, continuous auditing tools and automated data‑monitoring processes.
• Oversee major fraud investigations, manage the whistle‑blowing framework and advise on preventive controls.
• Serve as primary liaison for regulatory examinations, central bank inquiries, external auditors and quality‑assurance reviewers.
• Lead, mentor and develop the internal audit team, promoting professional certifications and succession planning.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Accountancy, Finance, Banking or a closely related discipline.

Required skills