Auditor (Audit and Compliance Division) - San Francisco Ethics Commission

  • Full-time
  • Work Hours: Regular
  • Job Code and Title: 1822-Administrative Analyst
  • Fill Type: Permanent Exempt

Company Description

ABOUT THE COMMISSION

The San Francisco Ethics Commission was created directly by the City’s voters with the passage of Proposition K in November 1993. Through its 24-member staff, the Commission is responsible for the independent and impartial administration and enforcement of laws related to campaign finance, public financing of candidates, governmental ethics, conflicts of interests, and registration and reporting by lobbyists, campaign consultants, permit consultants, and major developers. The Commission has an operating budget of roughly $4.8 million also administers a $7 million Election Campaign Fund that provides partial public financing for qualified candidates for City elective office.

Our mission is to practice and promote the highest standards of integrity in government. We achieve that by delivering impactful programs that promote fair, transparent, and accountable governmental decision making for the benefit of all San Franciscans. With public service a public trust, our aim is to ensure that San Franciscans can have confidence that the operations of the City and County and the decisions made by its officials and employees are fair, just, and made without any regard to private or personal gain.

The Ethics Commission is committed to recruiting, hiring, and retaining and a diverse, collaborative, and high performing staff of individuals whose individual experiences, knowledge, and talents collectively drive achievement of the Commission's unique mission in San Francisco city government. We honor and value diversity, inclusion, and engagement, and are committed to promoting racial equity and to creating and sustaining a work environment that reflects and engages the diversity of our communities. Applicants who contribute to this diversity are strongly encouraged to apply. The Commission provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability,  genetics, or any other protected category

ABOUT THE TEAM

To help fulfill the Ethics Commission’s independent oversight mandate, the Audit Division is charged with conducting audits and other compliance reviews of those whose activities are subject to the Commission’s regulatory and administrative enforcement authority. Key among the Division’s duties is responsibility to perform objective, thorough, and timely audits of campaign committees and lobbyists to assess compliance with applicable laws and issue public audit reports that promote improved understanding of the laws and accountability to the public.

In an era that has challenged the public’s faith in government, the oversight and accountability work of the Audit Division plays a vital role in supporting the Ethics Commission’s core mission to help build trust in city elections and in its governmental institutions.

Job Description

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Commission is seeking an Auditor with solid analytical and organizational skills, exceptional judgment, and a demonstrated commitment to accountable government to perform sensitive and detailed professional-level audit and other compliance review work as assigned. As one of three Auditors in the Division, the Auditor also will work as a member of a team to implement critical business process improvements addressed in findings and recommendations of the August 2020 Budget and Legislative Analyst Performance Audit of the Ethics Commission, including to reduce timeframes for completing audits while also ensuring the fairness, quality, and thoroughness of the Commission’s audit processes. This position reports to the Ethics Commission's Audit and Compliance Review Manager.

As with all positions at the Ethics Commission, the Auditor must be willing to forego involvement in all local political activity while a member of the Commission staff. In addition, to support objectivity in the Commission’s audit work, this position is among those designated in the Ethics Commission’s Conflict of Interest Code as a position required to file public Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700) to ensure that any possible conflicts of interests between personal financial interests and governmental duties can be detected and avoided.

Important and Essential Duties

Essential duties of the position include, but are not limited to the following:

1.       Perform complex and detailed professional-level audits of campaign, candidate, and political committees, including publicly financed candidates, and lobbyists active in San Francisco to evaluate their compliance with applicable laws.

2.       Maintain current working knowledge of applicable ordinances, rules, regulations, and policies; research applicable law provisions and other background information, as necessary.  

3.       Assist in development and implementation of standardized testing objectives, protocols, procedures, and templates used to review disclosed data, document analyses, and develop and report findings.

4.       Gather and evaluate a wide range of information and source documents to determine instances or patterns of non-compliance with laws within the Commission’s jurisdiction, including through research and audit interviews as may be necessary.

5.       Plan, organize, and conduct audit communications that are clear, timely, and complete to support effectiveness and timeliness of audit and compliance review processes.

6.       Organize, prepare, and maintain detailed work papers, and other progress and program tracking tools to ensure accurate, complete and timely recording of audit/analytic testing.

7.       Develop audit findings and recommendations that are complete, accurate, organized, and fully supported by analysis.

8.       Prepare and present clear verbal and written reports of audit findings and recommendations.

9.       Interpret, apply, and explain laws, auditing policies, and program procedures to auditees and others.

10.   Develop and conduct analytical compliance reviews of data disclosed in other program areas as may be assigned to develop findings based on established standards, document analyses, and findings, and prepare summaries and reports based on findings.

11.   Conduct analytical reviews for public campaign financing programs as may be assigned, including public financing qualification, disbursement eligibility, and other committee expenditure reports to determine courses of action based on applicable requirements of the law. Assist with procedures for disbursement of public financing funds to eligible candidates.

12.   Coordinate with external vendors as needed to ensure timely completion of any audits contracted out by the Commission.

13.   Prepare audit- and compliance-review-related guides, instructions, and materials to promote understanding of and compliance with applicable laws. Assist in maintaining and updating guides, manuals, and web content related to Audit Division procedures and guidelines, as assigned.

14.   Collaborate cross-functionally with other staff teams as appropriate in the development, implementation, and evaluation of legislation, regulations, administrative, or other operational processes to support effectiveness and auditability of applicable laws in practice.

15.   Assist in development of administrative procedures and reporting, including in preparation of Division reports and resource planning, and evaluate audit-related programs and processes to ensure their effectiveness. 

16.   Develop, implement, and maintain protocols and tools to track audit workload, timelines and objectives, including key program indicators to monitor, evaluate, and report on progress toward program goals.

17.   Participate in regular team and departmental meetings to provide updates on audit progress and results of audit testing, as appropriate.

18.   Under general direction, may supervise or serve as lead worker to clerical, technical staff and/or subordinate professional staff, depending on assignment.

19.   As assigned, participate in Commission meetings and engage with other City departments as needed in support of Audit Division-related programs and operations.

20.   Abstain from local political activities, disclose personal economic interests, and comply with outside employment restrictions.

21.    Perform other related duties as assigned.   

Qualifications

Highly Desirable Qualifications

During the selection process the following desirable qualifications may be used to identify applicants selected to become a job finalist.

  •  A Master's degree in public administration, business administration, accounting, public policy, or a related field of study.
  • Prior professional-level audit experience, including demonstrated knowledge of government auditing standards and auditing principles and practices, planning and performing complex research and analyses, and developing well-supported findings and recommendations.
  • Prior professional experience working on matters involving governmental ethics, campaign finance, lobbying issues or in related areas of government oversight.
  • Prior professional experience working in an oversight, regulatory, administrative, or law enforcement agency.
  • Demonstrated ability to plan and complete projects of high quality and on time, including effective use of organizational systems to regularly track and report on progress toward established goals and objectives.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Essential knowledge, skills, and abilities of the position include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Knowledge of methods and principles used in auditing, accounting, and/or compliance analysis.
  • Experience planning and performing audits and/or compliance analysis.
  • Experience gathering a wide array of source data on complex issues to identify relevant facts and evaluate compliance with applicable laws and policies, including by eliciting factual information through research and interviews.
  • Ability to objectively evaluate source documentation and to independently apply a broad knowledge base, strong reasoning skills, and sound judgment.
  • Ability to read, understand, and accurately apply provisions of complex laws to facts and discern instances or patterns of non-compliance.
  • Orientation to detail and ability to synthesize analyses and to develop findings and recommendations that are empirical and supported by documentation.
  • Ability to structure and write audit reports and other documents with appropriate supporting analyses that present clear and concise findings and recommendations.
  • Ability to prepare and make clear and concise presentations.
  • Strong computer and data analysis skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office suite (in particular Excel), are required. Familiarity with PowerBI, Tableau, or other statistical/analytics tools is a plus.
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to plan, prioritize, exercise initiative, and complete multiple competing projects within established timeframes while also ensuring accurate, high-quality work products.
  •  Ability to develop and maintain organizational systems to ensure effective tracking and reporting toward program goals and objectives.
  • Exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships that foster engagement and creative problem-solving as a member of a diverse staff team.
  • Ability to work comfortably within an open government environment while also maintaining confidentiality of sensitive and confidential information.
  • Ability to work objectively in a politically sensitive environment and a willingness to forego all local political activity.
  • Ability to exhibit professionalism and respect in politically sensitive and highly visible contexts.
  • Ability to exercise tact, sound independent judgment, and the highest standards of integrity in carrying out duties.

Minimum Qualifications

These minimum qualifications establish the education, training, experience, special skills and/or license(s) which the City and County of San Francisco requires for employment in the classification. 

1. Possession of a graduate degree (Master's degree or higher) from an accredited college or university; and one (1) year full-time equivalent experience performing professional-level analytical work, as described in Note A; OR

2. Possession of a graduate degree (Master's degree or higher) from an accredited college or university with major coursework as described in Note B; OR

3. Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, and two (2) years full-time equivalent experience performing professional-level analytical work as described in Note A; OR

4. Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework as described in Note B and one (1) year full-time equivalent experience performing professional-level analytical work as described in Note A;

SUBSTITUTION: Applicants may substitute up to 2 years of the required education with additional qualifying experience in budget analysis, financial analysis and reporting, legislative/policy analysis, or contract/grant administration. One year (2000 hours) of additional qualifying experience will be considered equivalent to 30 semester units/45 quarter units.

Notes on Qualifying Experience and Education:

A. Qualifying professional-level analytical experience must be in one or more of the following functional areas: complex budget analysis, development and administration; complex financial/fiscal analysis and reporting; development of complex contracting systems and administration of competitive bid processes and complex contractual agreements; development and evaluation of complex management/administrative policy; complex grant administration and monitoring; complex program evaluation and planning; complex legislative analysis; complex economic analysis; or other functional areas related to the duties of positions in Class 1822, where the primary focus of the job is complex professional-level analysis for evaluation, recommendation, development and implementation of major programs and functions of department/organization. Analytical experience equivalent to the duties of Class 1820 is considered qualifying.

B. Coursework applicable to a baccalaureate or higher degree in specialized subject matter areas such as public or business administration, management, business law, contract law, public policy, urban studies, economics, statistical analysis, finance, accounting or other fields of study closely related to the essential functions of positions in Class 1822.

Additional Information

How To Apply

To apply for this position, please submit the following documents using the Apply Now link at the bottom of this document:

  1. Statement of Interest that details your interest in the position and relevant work experiences, including any related to accountable government or public integrity.
  2. Current Resume

Applications that do not contain the requested information will not be considered.

Complete applications will be reviewed as they are received and applicants selected to advance to the interview process will be contacted by phone or email.

** Please note that due to ongoing COVID19 public health restrictions all candidate interviews will take place online using remote technology. In addition, subject to further official notice from the City and County of San Francisco, the successful candidate should expect to perform their duties working fully remotely at least through June 30, 2021, however any City employee may be called in for Disaster Service Work duty or to work on site subject to the City’s and Department’s established Health and Safety protocols. In such instances, employees may be required be on site with 24-hours’ notice.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Carol Isen - Human Resources Director 

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