Senior Auditor - Underwriting Focus

JOB SUMMARY
The Senior Auditor - Underwriting Focus participates in all critical aspects of delivering independent audit assurance services to Company stakeholders and the Board of Directors, with a primary emphasis on credit underwriting and loan approval processes. This role develops and manages stakeholder relationships and performs audits across underwriting, credit administration, loan operations, compliance, and supporting financial and operational processes. The Senior Auditor will also contribute to the continued evolution of audit methodology and data analytics within the department. This position reports to an Audit Manager.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Identify key risks within underwriting and credit-related processes, including loan origination, approval, exceptions, and ongoing portfolio management, and propose appropriate controls to mitigate those risks.
• Perform walkthroughs of underwriting workflows, credit decisioning processes, and related systems.
• Design risk-based internal audit procedures and work programs based on underwriting guidelines, credit policies, regulatory expectations, process flows, and data analytics.
• Execute audit testing to assess the adequacy, effectiveness, and consistency of underwriting controls, credit quality standards, and adherence to approved policies and regulatory requirements.
• Evaluate compliance with internal credit policies, delegated authorities, underwriting guidelines, and applicable banking regulations.
• Discuss audit findings and recommendations with underwriting management, credit leadership, and business partners; escalate significant issues to senior management as appropriate.
• Prepare clear, well-supported audit issues and reports in accordance with the approved audit plan and departmental methodology.
• Monitor and validate timely implementation of management action plans resulting from audit findings.
• Identify opportunities to enhance audit efficiency, including the use of data analytics and continuous auditing techniques related to underwriting and credit risk.
• Monitor emerging trends in underwriting practices, credit risk management, and regulatory expectations.
• Assist with ad-hoc reviews, investigations, or special projects related to credit risk, underwriting, or other operational areas, as requested by senior management or the Audit Committee.
• Mentor and coach staff auditors, particularly in areas related to credit and underwriting audits.
• Adhere to Seacoast Bank's Code of Conduct.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Professional certification such as CPA, CIA, CISA, or CRC strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience with credit underwriting, loan review, credit administration, or underwriting audit within a financial institution or public accounting firm.
• Strong understanding of internal audit principles, COSO framework, internal controls, and risk assessment methodologies.
• Working knowledge of banking regulations and supervisory expectations related to underwriting and credit risk management.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, PowerPoint, advanced Excel).
• Experience with audit management and/or data analytics tools (e.g., TeamMate, ACL, SAS, or similar).
• Minimum of 5-7 years relevant experience in internal audit, loan review, underwriting, or a related credit risk role within financial services.