Audit Specialist – Risk and Control Enhancement

Northern Trust

Audit Specialist at Northern Trust focusing on operational risk and control transformation. Leading audit validation efforts and collaborating with teams to improve effectiveness and compliance.

Posted 7/6/2026full-timeChicago • Illinois • 🇺🇸 United StatesSeniorLead💰 $114,700 - $194,900 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead audit validation work focused on operational risk and control transformation
Partner with audit teams to plan, challenge, and deliver high-quality audit coverage
Interpret regulatory expectations, risk themes, and industry practices to guide control assessment
Analyze risk and control information to identify issues, insights, and practical improvements
Prepare clear reporting for senior leaders on audit observations and control effectiveness
Advise on testing approaches, issue development, and audit reporting quality
Coordinate with business and risk stakeholders to understand change activity and emerging risks
Support team capability through knowledge sharing, coaching, and participation in relevant forums

Requirements

What you’ll need

10+ years of extensive operational risk management experience
Proven experience applying audit, risk, or control principles within financial services or a similarly regulated environment
In-depth understanding of relevant regulatory expectations and how they inform audit coverage and control evaluation
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Relevant professional certification or advanced qualification, such as accounting, audit, information systems, risk, or business administration credentials

Benefits

Comp & perks

Comprehensive benefits package including retirement benefits (401k and pension)
Health and welfare benefits (medical, dental, vision, spending accounts and disability)
Paid time off
Parental and caregiver leave
Life & accident insurance
Other voluntary and well-being benefits
Discretionary bonus program that may include an equity component

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

Audit ValidationControl AssessmentRisk AnalysisIssue DevelopmentReporting Quality

Soft Skills

Organizational SkillsProblem-Solving SkillsCoaching

Certifications

Professional CertificationAdvanced Qualification