Director, Audit and Controls

Join us to build a more rewarding financial future for all Canadians At Neo, we’re on a mission to build a more rewarding financial future for all Canadians. Life at a rapidly scaling tech startup isn’t for everyone. It’s complex, fast-paced, high-pressure, but also incredibly fulfilling. Since its founding in 2019, Neo has gained incredible traction and is one of the fastest-growing fintech companies in Canada. - #1 on Deloitte’s Technology Fast 50 for 2023, 2024, and 2025 https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/neo-financial-achieves-first-ever-three-peat-win-as-number-one-on-deloitte-s-technology-fast-50-list-889692540.html — the first company ever to achieve a three-peat at the top! - #1 Fastest Growing Company in Canada for 2024 by Globe & Mail https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240927952651/en/Neo-Financial-Ranks-No.-1-on-The-Globe-and-Mail%E2%80%99s-2024-List-of-Canada%E2%80%99s-Top-Growing-Companies - Top-ranked mobile apps and credit cards - Team of 500+ people - 1M+ customers - 10K+ retail partners Neo Financial is looking for a Director, Audit and Controls to own and lead our audit and internal controls function. We’re looking for someone who can navigate through a fast-paced environment and knows how to switch gears to adapt to any scenario. We strive to make things better, simpler and stronger. Make your mark by shaping the audit strategy at one of Canada's fastest-growing fintechs, alongside some of Canada's most successful leaders and tech minds. What you'll be doing: - Strategic Leadership: Own and drive the long-term strategy for the audit and controls function, which encompasses internal controls and compliance, and audit support. Set the vision, goals, and priorities that align with Neo's business objectives and overall risk management framework. - Controls Design & Oversight: Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of internal controls across business units to build and maintain a strong, scalable control environment. Leverage automation and AI to streamline testing burden and integrate efficiencies into all audit requirements. Oversee regular testing against key compliance frameworks (e.g., PIPEDA, FCAC, PCMLTFA) to ensure Neo meets all regulatory requirements. - External Audit Ownership: Serve as the senior point of accountability for all external audit relationships. Oversee the planning and execution of external audits including SOC 1, SOC 2, and PCI DSS — ensuring readiness, quality, and timely delivery. - Risk Assessment: Direct comprehensive assessments of business processes to identify control gaps and compliance risks. Lead the development of remediation plans and ensure findings are resolved effectively and durably. - Cross-Functional Partnership: Partner with product, engineering, legal, finance and business ops teams to embed automated controls into products and internal tools. Champion a cultural commitment to controls and compliance throughout the organization. - Stakeholder Reporting: Prepare and present comprehensive reports on control findings, risk exposures, audit outcomes, and program maturity to senior leadership and relevant governance bodies. - Team Leadership & Development: Build, lead, and develop a high-performing audit and controls team. Set goals, provide mentorship, conduct performance reviews, and create an environment where people grow and do their best work. Who we're looking for: - You bring 10+ years of progressive experience in internal controls, internal audit or external audit. Public accounting experience and expertise with financial services and fintechs are strong assets. - You are just as comfortable with financial controls as technical controls, and have significant experience working with technical business units. - You have a proven track record owning and leading audit and internal control functions — not just executing them — and can operate at both strategic and hands-on levels as the business requires. - You have substantial experience