Job Description

Best consideration date for applications:  Friday, January 23, 2026

PURPOSE

The Vice Chancellor for Accountability is responsible for leading and overseeing all aspects of the internal audit function of the USM. In addition, this position is responsible for other accountability oversight that falls outside the normal audit activity. The position reports functionally to the Chair of USM's Board of Regents' (BOR) Audit Committee and administratively to the Chancellor. The Vice Chancellor ensures the internal audit function complies with professional standards established by the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA). The Vice Chancellor serves as staff to the BOR Audit Committee, facilitates its agenda and work plan, and assists the Committee in fulfilling its responsibility for overseeing internal controls, risk management, governance, compliance, and audit activities related to the Office of Internal Audit, the Office of Legislative Auditors, independent auditors, and other accountability functions.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Internal Audit Leadership and Strategic Oversight (35%)

• Ensure that an independent channel exists through the function of the Internal Audit Department for the Board of Regents' (BOR) Audit Committee to verify information.
• Provide exceptional audit and accountability services to the BOR, Chancellor, Presidents, and Management.
• Ensure the Internal Audit Office is sufficiently staffed with internal audit professionals. Regularly assesses staffing size is appropriate to provide appropriate audit and accountability coverage of all USM’s operations and activities. This includes USM Universities, Regional Educational Centers, Research Centers (UMCES), and USMO.
• Establish and execute the vision of the Office of Internal Audit. Includes ensuring the function’s Charter is current and appropriate, and ensuring the department’s guidelines and procedures are established and carried out.
• Develop annual plans of activity based upon assessment of risks and in accordance with IIA standards.

Audit, Risk, and Accountability Activities (30%)

• Ensure that audit and related activities are designed to detect significant operational and financial risks as well as to review the effectiveness, efficiency, and economy of operations. Types of audit and accountability activity include:
• Financial Audits
• Operational Audits
• Compliance Audits
• Investigations
• Follow-up Audits
• Information Systems Audits
• Cyber Security Audits
• Internal Control Reviews
• Risk Assessments
• Consulting Services

Reporting, Coordination, and Advisory Responsibilities (20%)

• Regularly report activities and audit issues to appropriate senior management and the BOR Audit Committee.
• Ensure internal and external audits have been coordinated to avoid duplicating effort.
• Manage and respond to allegations received on USM’s fraud reporting mechanisms.
• Mediate disagreements between internal audit and management. Convey significant disagreements to the BOR Audit Committee. With the Audit Committee's approval, the Vice Chancellor is authorized to establish and revise procedures for carrying out responsibilities.
• Promote the department’s function to the USM community.
• Provide clear and constructive advice to senior management.
• Coordinate investigative activity with outside agencies.

Board of Regents Audit Committee Support and Governance (15%)

• Serve as Staff and Support to the Board of Regents Audit Committee.
• Keep the Audit Committee apprised of audit issues and risks identified by internal and external auditors.
• Organize meetings and meeting materials for the Audit Committee at least four times/year.
• Prepare a variety of reports and materials for the Audit Committee.
• Draft annual work plans for the Audit Committee’s consideration to assist in meeting the Committee’s fiduciary responsibilities.
• Support and facilitate the Audit Committee’s agenda.
• Monitor and provide status updates of action items established by the Audit Committee.
• Facilitate communication between the Audit Committee and USM’s Presidents concerning significant audit issues.
• Provide the Audit Committee updates on OLA audit activity.
• Provide monthly summaries of internal audit reports and management’s responses.
• Provide regular updates of investigations and significant allegations received via USM’s fraud reporting mechanisms.
• Inform the Audit Committee of any management denial of access to information to internal audit staff.
• Coordinate with the USMO Administration and Finance to keep the Audit Committee apprised of third-party audit activity and management responses to findings.
• Submit for the Committee’s approval, internal audit’s annual work plan of activity.

ANNUAL SALARY :

$220,000-$250,000

Requirements

• Must have significant managerial and supervisory experience.
• Must have experience conducting and supervising audits and knowledge of information management systems.
• Must have excellent communication skills, both written and oral. He/she will be expected to deal with those in senior level positions - regents, presidents and vice presidents as well as operational staff at all levels.
• Must have full understanding of professional standards established by the IIA.
• Must be adept at public speaking.
• Must be a self-starter and perform at a high level with minimal oversight.
• Must be an effective communicator with all levels of management.
• Must have strong leadership skills.
• Must have strong interpersonal skills.
• Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Microsoft Office. Understanding of sophisticated financial systems.

Benefits

• Paid Leave: 22 days of annual leave, 15 days of sick & safe leave, 15 holidays, 3 personal leave days, 12 weeks paid parental leave

• Health Benefits: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with flexible spending accounts.
• Retirement Plans: Mandatory and supplemental options with major providers like Fidelity and TIAA.
• Life Insurance: Optional term life and AD&D benefits through MetLife.
• Tuition Benefits: Tuition remission for employees and their families.
• Training & Development: Free professional development conferences and unlimited LinkedIn Learning access.
• Credit Union Access: Membership eligibility for SECU, Maryland’s largest credit union.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Free counseling, legal, financial, and work-life support services.

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