Chief Audit Executive

Florida State University seeks an experienced, strategic, and collaborative audit professional to serve as the Chief Audit Executive.   

 As one of the nation’s most elite research universities, and one of the largest and oldest of the 12 institutions of higher learning in the State University System of Florida, FSU offers a distinctive academic

environment built on its cherished values and unique heritage. With nearly 44,000 students, approximately 6,600 employees and an operating budget of $1.62 billion, FSU provides a welcoming campus environment on the oldest continuous site of higher education in Florida with a prime location

in the heart of the state capital. Underlying the educational experience at FSU is the development of new generations of citizen leaders, based on the concepts inscribed in the University’s seal: Vires, Artes, Mores — Strength, Skill and Character.

 The Chief Audit Executive (CAE) at FSU leads a comprehensive audit program covering the University’s entire mission and is charged with maintaining awareness of a broad array of industry trends and standards so as to be able to provide proactive partnership as regulations change and drivers of risk evolve. They are forward-thinking and proactive in considering the impact that broader trends and external factors may have on the plans, programs, and operations of all of the University and its affiliates. The CAE contributes to leadership and board-level discussion of the University’s distributed governance, notably in the risk assessment and risk mitigation discussions with senior leaders and the audit committees.  The CAE reports directly to the President and functionally to the Audit and Compliance Committee of the Board of Trustees and ensures the appropriate staffing and planning for the office.  Currently, the office has a full-time professional staff of approximately 10.

 Viable candidates will have at least 8-10 years of experience as an auditor. If they are not coming from a peer academic or medical institution, they will demonstrate the ability to learn quickly and will have relevant audit experience with large, matrixed, and highly complicated organization(s).   In addition, successful candidates will bring a track record of effective leadership of high-performing teams and can demonstrate experience reporting to and advising executive leadership and governing boards; the ability to establish relationships of trust with varied constituencies; the ability to engender trust in ambiguous situations based on integrity, critical thinking, and interpersonal skills.  An active Certified Public Accountant or Certified Internal Auditor certification is required. Additional credentials, such as a master’s degree in accounting or business management, and CFE, CISA, or CCEP certifications, would be valued though are not required.   

 For a full description of the role, please see here.

Florida State University has retained Opus Partners to support the recruitment of this position. Katie Dean, Associate Partner; and Marisea Rivera, Senior Associate, are leading the search.  Applications, and nominations should be sent by email to Marisea (Marisea.rivera@opuspartners.net ).  Applications should include a cover letter and resume that should address your experience related to the position responsibilities and the required and preferred qualifications.

FSU is an Equal Opportunity/Access/Affirmative Action/Pro Disabled & Veteran Employer. FSU’s Equal Opportunity Statement can be viewed at: hr.fsu.edu/PDF/Publications/diversity/EEO_Statement.pdf