Director, Internal Audit

Job Description

Kiavi, formerly known as LendingHome, is one of the largest lenders to real estate investors in the United States. With Kiavi’s technology platform and innovative financing solutions, real estate investors are empowered to make informed decisions, close deals faster, and realize the full potential of their real estate investment strategies.

The Team

Founded in 2013, Kiavi is committed to helping customers revitalize approximately $25 trillion worth of aged U.S. housing stock and provide move-in ready homes and rental housing for millions of Americans across the country. We have funded $7.8 billion dollars worth of loans across about 35,000+ projects, becoming one of the nation's largest bridge loan lenders.

Combining our technology and industry expertise, Kiavi has grown to a team of over 400 and has won many awards over the years including Forbes Fintech 50, Finovate Awards: Best Digital Mortgage Platform, Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies, and many more .

• Loans funded: More than $7.8 billion
• Geography: Lends in 27 states plus Washington, D.C., which account for more than 80% of the nation’s real estate market
• Homes financed: About 35,000
• Principal and interest returned to investors: More than $5.18 billion
• Employees: Over 400 employees

This position can be based anywhere in the United States—remote or in-office. Our hybrid distributed workforce philosophy allows us to find the best talent in the country and build diverse teams, while allowing our colleagues to work from the location that works best for them. For those who prefer to work in-office, we have locations in San Francisco and Pittsburgh. We also plan to use these spaces to bring together teammates to drive creativity and innovation.

The Role

We are looking for an experienced Director of Internal Audit to build out and oversee our Internal Audit function. As our first ever Director of Internal Audit, you will play a critical role at Kiavi.

Reporting to the Audit Committee with a dotted line to the Chief Risk officer, you will leverage your cumulative knowledge to work directly with management and our external auditors to create an internal audit program. You will bring a systematic and disciplined approach to evaluating the effectiveness of the Company’s governance, risk management, compliance and control practices. You will help us operate like a public company and collaborate with cross-functional teams including Finance, Operations, Risk, IT, and Security.

The Director of Internal Audit will be responsible for preparing and implementing a risk-based audit plan to assess, report on, and make suggestions for improving the company’s key operational and finance activities and internal controls with a focus on developing “public company” standards and controls. The successful candidate will possess a thorough knowledge of accounting guidance, internal audit professional standards, public company requirements, and sound judgement and objectivity.

Responsibilities

• Develop annual audit universe and schedules using a risk-based approach, creating a pipeline of projects for short-, medium-, and long-term, related to operational compliance, regulatory compliance, and controls over financial reporting
• Allocate sufficient flexibility in the audit plan to accommodate risk profile changes or respond to urgent events, while maintaining appropriate coverage of high-risk areas
• Develop and maintain a strong knowledge of Kiavi systems, operations, practices, and business issues
• Oversee operational and compliance audits, including the scoping, testing and documentation of the results; communicate findings and propose recommendations and track the remediation and closure of findings
• Develop appropriate staffing and resourcing plans including leveraging co-sourcing partners
• Work collaboratively with the SOX team on the appropriateness of internal control documentation for financial processes, IT applications, and ITGCs, including planning documents, narratives, process maps, walkthroughs, and tests of controls
• Develop written reports for executive management and the Audit Committee; ensure quarterly reports and issues are communicated to the Audit Committee. Provide regular reporting to the Audit Committee on the activities of the Internal Audit Department.
• Reviewing board and other stakeholder reporting for completeness and accuracy
• Develop and maintain close working relationships with Audit Committee, external auditors and key cross functional leaders, ensuring a holistic understanding of key risks and processes of the organization and oversight of relevant work streams
• Proactively advise management on key risk areas and drive remediation plans balancing risk mitigation with pragmatic processes

Qualifications

• 10+ years experience in internal and/or external auditing.
• BS degree in Accounting or Finance.
• CIA (certified internal auditor) and/or CPA (certified public accountant)
• Prior Big 4 experience is highly desirable
• Proven knowledge of the IPPF, internal auditing standards and procedures, laws, rules and regulations.
• Experience working with a Board Level audit committee
• Experience at emerging growth company, and/or post IPO experience desired
• Advanced understanding of financial and business processes and the risks surrounding those processes
• Strong understanding of IT risks and controls and their overall impact to financial control environments
• Experience managing a team that is a mix of company employees and third-party co-source provider
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Strong analytical, organizational, and presentation skills
• High attention to detail and excellent analytical skills
• Sound independent judgment while maintaining a collaborative approach to communications

Benefits and Perks

• Product Ownership : All employees think like an owner because all employees own equity in the company and play a critical role in making our business great.
• Health Insurance : Our medical, dental, and vision plans are completely free for employee-only coverage, and the company pays 80% of the total premium for dependents.
• Whole-Person Wellness : Anyone can schedule no-cost unlimited virtual therapy sessions, use a monthly subsidy for fitness facilities, and access reimbursements for fertility services.
• Retirement Savings . Employees who participate in our “no fee” 401(k) receive an immediately-vested employer match on 100% of contributions up to 3% of compensation.
• Career Growth : We foster an environment that encourages opportunities to use your voice, do better for our customers and each other, and support your career journey.
• Flexible Time Off : With no cap on the number of days of PTO each year, employees are encouraged to enjoy a well-rounded lifestyle with work, travel, and family.
• Paid Leaves : You’re immediately eligible for up to 12 weeks of paid leave each year to bond with a new child (mothers & fathers) and up to 8 weeks for medical or caregiver leave so you come back ready to deliver high-impact results.
• Remote-First : We win together while still being fully remote, and each employee receives a stipend for their home office setup and a monthly allowance to help with the cost of internet/phone.

Kiavi in the News:

• Forbes: The Future Of Real Estate: Fintech 50 2019 and Real Estate on a Threshold of a “Moneyball” Moment
• HousingWire: 2019 HW Tech100 Winner: LendingHome
• Pittsburgh Business Times: Voted a “ 2019 Best Places to Work ” and won first runner-up in large company category
• Mortgage Professional America: LendingHome surpasses $5 billion in loans in five years
• Pittsburgh Business Times: San Francisco fintech aggressively expands, looks to hire in Pittsburgh
• Curbed: How Wall Street, Silicon Valley Institutionalized Home Flipping