Forensic Audit Manager

The opportunity Internal Audit is an independent and objective organization and an integral part of the Finance function. In the current set-up, the Internal Audit department supports occasionally the Office of Special Investigations (OSI) in investigating alleged integrity violations of the Hitachi Group Code of Ethics and Business Conduct and internal policies, end-to-end lifecycle management of integrity concerns and reports outcomes to the appropriate disciplinary and decision-making bodies.

In the future set up, the newly created Forensic Audit team will fully dedicate their resources in supporting on any alleged integrity violations related to finance and forensic accounting, but will also assist in other so-called “License to Operate” investigations (such as Bribery & Corruption, Conflicts of Interest, theft, embezzlement, and other fraud related issues).

The Forensic Audit Manager strengthens this mandate as head of the Forensic Audit team (in total 3 to 4 individuals) but will also be working within the operations of the investigation process. Acting as OSI’s extended investigative arm and as the subject matter expert for finance and forensic accounting, the role leads assigned investigative work and supports investigations led by OSI across the full investigation lifecycle. Integrity investigations include complex, sensitive and cross-border investigations.

How You Will Make An Impact

• You will work under OSI’s case ownership and direction while applying independent, objective and professionally qualified investigative expertise. Key responsibilities include:
• Managing the end-to-end lifecycle of investigating integrity concerns and/or supporting OSI in any step in their investigations. This includes the intake process, data collection & analysis, interview and reporting phase.
• Acting as the subject matter expert for finance and forensic accounting. Reconstruct transactions, follow funds, quantify potential loss or exposure, identify control circumvention, and assess indicators of fraud, bribery, corruption, conflicts of interest, and other integrity concerns (‘License to Operate’ concerns).
• Using data analytics and technology with your knowledge of and experience. Key systems include SAP S/4HANA and related platforms such as Ariba, Concur and other business systems. Using Power BI, Tableau or comparable tools, and using E-Discovery tools (Reveal, Relativity).
• Coordinating and communication with stakeholders such as Finance, Legal, HR, Compliance, IT, Security and external experts as appropriate.
• Supporting OSI in identifying gaps in the control environment and proposing corrective actions. Analyzing individual and aggregated cases to identify recurring schemes, root causes, control weaknesses and opportunities to strengthen policies, procedures and preventive controls.
• When investigation demand permits, performing self-service analytics and targeted detection activities based on prior cases, including analyses of expenses, procurement, third parties and other risk areas. Develop reusable tests, indicators, and investigative methods that improve early detection and investigation efficiency.
• When no OSI investigations are ongoing, supporting Internal Audit assignments as agreed, while remaining fully available for reassignment to investigations at short notice.
• Maintaining high-quality investigation files, contribute to consistent methodologies and templates, share lessons learned, coach colleagues, and continuously develop expertise in investigations, forensic accounting, analytics and relevant legal and professional requirements.
• Providing timely updates to the OSI investigator and other authorized stakeholders. Communicate significant developments, evidence gaps, delays and constraints, and promptly escalate urgent legal, regulatory, financial, safety or reputational matters through the agreed channels.
• Leading the Forensic Audit team, train the team, update the team on developments and any other management activity required, including HR related matters such as the yearly appraisal process, develop the team’s expertise and knowledge.

Reporting Lines and Governance

• Reporting to the Head of Internal Audit and functional reporting to the Head of OSI.
• Joint governance between Internal Audit and OSI for target setting, performance management, case allocation, availability and capacity management, and competence and career development.
• OSI own…