Senior Internal Auditor

Overview of the role

We are recruiting a Senior Internal Auditor on a 12 month fixed term contract to add delivery capacity to a small Internal Audit function.

The role exists to help deliver the approved annual audit plan and to strengthen the way audit findings are tracked through to evidenced closure. You will run audits end to end, from scoping and fieldwork through to reporting and follow up, across a regulated payments business operating in the UK and the DIFC.

This is a hands-on role in a lean team. You will own your audits rather than supervise others delivering them, and you will work directly with executive stakeholders. There is real scope to develop your report writing through the papers you produce for the Audit and Risk Committee and the Board including opportunity to present where needed.

IFX Payments is an FCA-authorised Electronic Money Institution trading under the ibanq brand, with a licensed entity and office in Dubai. We serve fintechs, defence and corporate clients who are underserved by tier-one banks.

As an EMI rather than a bank, our regulatory framework is the Electronic Money Regulations 2011, the Payment Services Regulations 2017 and the Money Laundering Regulations 2017, with client funds held under safeguarding arrangements.

Internal Audit is an independent third line function reporting to the Audit and Risk Committee. This role reports to the Head of Internal Audit.

Key Responsibilities

Audit delivery

• Plan and deliver assigned audits from the annual plan, agreeing scope and terms of reference with the business
• Carry out risk and control assessments, design and perform testing, and document work to a standard that withstands external scrutiny
• Draft clear, evidence-based findings with a defensible risk rating and a practical recommendation
• Agree findings, management actions, owners and target dates with the relevant executive and action owner
• Produce audit reports for the Audit and Risk Committee

Follow up and action tracking

• Maintain the consolidated action log, including original and revised target dates, reasons for any slippage and risk rating
• Obtain and assess evidence of closure, and close actions only where the evidence supports it
• Chase action owners for progress updates and escalate where delivery is at risk
• Prepare overdue action reporting for the Board and the Audit and Risk Committee

Regulatory and third-party reviews

• Track and validate the closure of findings raised by external reviewers, regulators and skilled persons
• Support responses to regulatory information requests where Internal Audit input is needed

Stakeholder management

• Build working relationships with first and second line owners across Compliance, Operations, Risk, Finance and Technology
• Hold a position under challenge, and set out the basis for a finding or a closure decision clearly and without overstating it

Function development

• Contribute to the risk assessment and the annual audit plan
• Help improve audit methodology, working paper standards and reporting templates

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Substantial internal audit experience gained preferably in a regulated environment, either in-house or in professional services. Payments or e-money experience is useful but not a requirement, and we will consider strong candidates from other sectors who can transfer their skills
• A track record of delivering audits end to end with limited supervision, including scoping, testing, reporting and follow up
• Working knowledge of a comparable UK regulatory framework, and the ability to get up to speed quickly
• Experience auditing financial crime systems and controls, including customer due diligence, sanctions and PEP screening, transaction monitoring and suspicious activity reporting
• The ability to write findings and reports that are clear, proportionate and defensible to an external reader
• Confidence dealing with senior stakeholders, including holding a position where a finding is challenged
• Strong working paper discipline and attention to evidence
• A professional qualification such as CIA, ACA, ACCA, CISA or an equivalent, or qualification by experience

Desirable experience

• Experience of safeguarding and client money audits, including reconciliations and account provider due diligence
• Experience validating the closure of skilled person, s166 or other third-party review findings
• Experience auditing fraud controls, including APP fraud and the mandatory reimbursement regime
• Familiarity with auditing technology change, data migrations or system implementations
• Experience in a function building or maturing its audit methodology, rather than operating an established one

How you will work

This is a small function, so the ideal candidate needs to be comfortable picking something up and running with it. In practice that means:

• Self-sufficient, able to work from a scope to a finished report without being managed through it
• Pragmatic about what a finding is worth, and willing to say when something does not warrant a finding
• Direct but constructive with action owners, most of whom are delivering remediation alongside a day job
• Comfortable flagging a problem in your own work before someone else finds it
• Able to pick up a partially complete piece of work and establish the position from the evidence available.

Benefits

We believe great people do their best work when they feel supported, rewarded, and empowered to grow. That’s why we offer a benefits package designed to support your career, wellbeing, finances, and life outside of work.

• Time to Recharge

  • 25 days’ annual leave, plus bank holidays
  • An extra day off for your birthday
  • Holiday loyalty scheme rewarding long-term service
  • Work abroad scheme for added flexibility

• Financial Wellbeing

  • Competitive pension scheme via salary exchange
  • Annual discretionary bonus scheme (eligible after probation)
  • Financial education, planning & coaching platform
  • Interest-free Season Ticket Loan for London travel
  • Salary exchange nursery fee scheme

• Health & Wellbeing

  • An in-house fully equipped gym, including instructor-led classes for pilates, HYROX and more
  • Life Insurance
  • Healthcare platform including:
    • Cashback on dental, optical & physio
    • Virtual GP access
    • Mental health and stress support helplines
    • Additional wellbeing resources

• Family & Lifestyle Support

  • Enhanced parental leave
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • Flexible benefits that support everyday life

• Growth & Career Development

  • Career development and progression tools
  • Opportunities to grow within a fast-scaling international business
  • IFX-sponsored training budget for your individual learning & development

• A Great Team Culture

From sporting events and pub nights to seasonal celebrations and socials, we make time to connect and celebrate together.

Diversity & Inclusion

We believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to our success. We are committed to fostering a culture where everyone feels valued and respected, regardless of their background, identity or experiences. By embracing diverse perspectives and promoting equity, we aim to create an environment where all employees can perform and reach their full potential.

What’s next?

• We will review your application and come back to you as soon as possible.
• You must be eligible to work in the UK to be considered for this position.
• Full background checks will be carried out on all successful candidates.