Investment Audit Specialist, PSERS

Are you seeking challenging and meaningful work that will give you a sense of accomplishment and opportunities to grow in your career? Do you have experience or knowledge in investment auditing and want to be the trusted advisor to our investment team? We are currently looking for an Investment Audit Specialist to join our Agency's Internal Audit Office. If you are an experienced audit professional and you can lead complex audit engagements, independently execute advanced audit procedures, and provide technical direction - then this role is for you. Apply to join PSERS team today!

The Pennsylvania Public School Employees' Retirement Systems (PSERS, www.psers.pa.gov) is an agency in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that administers the pension plan for Pennsylvania's public-school employees. The mission of PSERS is to maintain a financially sound System that supports over a half million members with a current pension fund of approximately $84 billion. This position will play a contributing part in ensuring PSERS fulfills its mission and values.

PSERS is located in Harrisburg, PA, a mid-size city situated along the Susquehanna River. The Harrisburg area is affordable and near many attractions including Hershey, and it is only two hours from major cities like Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington D.C.

This position reports to the Assistant Audit Executive, Investments, within the Internal Audit Office at PSERS. The role requires a high degree of independence and technical expertise in executing assigned audit engagements. The selected candidate will perform advanced auditing work across the Agency's investment operations, covering a wide range of complex activities.

Key responsibilities include leading and conducting financial, operational, compliance, and information systems audits of investment functions; evaluating complex investment structures and transactions across multiple asset classes; and assessing valuation methodologies, fair value measurements, pricing controls, liquidity classifications, and performance attribution models. The role also involves evaluating the effectiveness of internal controls; researching and interpreting federal and state regulations, fiduciary standards, contractual obligations, and industry guidance; and identifying emerging risks through comprehensive risk assessments.

The position requires the application of professional judgment to determine risk-based audit scope; identify evaluation criteria; establish materiality thresholds; design and execute advanced audit procedures; and assess risk severity. The candidate will be responsible for clearly communicating significant findings, control deficiencies, and emerging risks to senior leadership and the Board.

The ideal candidate is highly analytical, capable of independently planning and executing audits, and demonstrates strong professional judgment and skepticism. Success in this role also requires the ability to communicate complex technical concepts effectively, both in writing and verbally, to a wide range of stakeholders, including staff, executives, Board members, and external partners.

For more in-depth details regarding this position's duties and responsibilities please read the position description available through this link.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with 30-minute lunch. Hours may be negotiable.
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time. This position is hybrid telework eligible, dependent on operational and executive leadership requirements. The role will need to report to the office in Harrisburg one day a week. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Two (2) years of experience as a Junior Investment Audit Specialist, PSERS; OR
• A bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, economics, or a related business discipline, supplemented by a minimum of 18 credit hours in accounting and/or finance, and at least four (4) years of progressively responsible auditing experience, including two (2) years of direct exposure to investment auditing, investment accounting, investment operations, investment risk management, or investment compliance functions; OR
• An equivalent combination of experience and training.
• Successful completion of any of the following education or professional accreditations may be substituted for one year of relevant work experience:
  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
  • Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
  • Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
  • Master's degree (e.g., MBA, MPA, MFIN, MIS)

Additional Requirements:

• Your application must include a cover letter and resume.
• You must know auditing principles, standards, and practices.
• You must know institutional investment management, investment accounting, and portfolio operations.
• You must know valuation methodologies and financial reporting concepts.
• You must be able to plan and conduct complex audits independently.
• You must be able to evaluate internal controls and risk management frameworks.
• You must be able to analyze complex financial data and investment transactions.
• You must be able to apply advanced professional judgment and skepticism.
• You must be able to develop clear, well-supported audit findings and recommendations.
• You must be able to communicate complex technical information effectively.
• You must be able to lead audit engagements and guide the work of others.
• You must be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• You must be able to use advanced data analysis tools and techniques.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Preferred Qualifications (not required):

• Experience with auditing alternative investments, complex financial instruments, institutional portfolios, or multi-asset class environments
• Proficiency in advanced data analytics and visualization tools such as Excel, Power BI, Tableau, ACL, IDEA, or similar platforms

Legal Requirements:

• A conditional offer of employment will require submission of criminal history reports. See hiring agency contact information.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant's own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. *7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.