Investment Audit Lead

Malvern, PA March 31, 2026 Full Time Workday
We are currently seeking an Investment Audit Lead to join our internal audit team! This role focuses on leading and evaluating risk‑based internal audits and control testing across front‑office (investment/portfolio management), middle‑office (investment operations), and back‑office (fund accounting, NAV oversight, reconciliations, and fund administration). In this role you will lead and collaborate with cross-functional teams to complete risk-based audit engagements, assess internal controls, and influence senior leadership to enhance the control environment. This role focuses on auditing operational and financial risks within investment products and fund operations, rather than enterprise‑level risk management activities. This position is hybrid and requires regular on‑site presence in Malvern, PA. Visa Sponsorship is not available at this time. Responsibilities: Act as a trusted advisor to internal audit leadership and investment teams on internal audit results, control effectiveness, and operational improvements. Lead multiple audit and consulting engagements concurrently in a matrixed environment, delivering high-quality work and actionable recommendations. Support annual and ongoing audit risk assessments, scoping activities and contribute to the development of the audit plan. Clearly communicate audit objectives, progress, and results to stakeholders at all levels, and influence management to implement improvements. Build and maintain strong relationships with business stakeholders and cross-functional leaders. Develop deep knowledge of relevant processes, regulations, and risks within the scope of each engagement. Evaluate the design and operating effectiveness of internal controls through walkthroughs, testing, and analysis, identify control gaps and recommend continuous improvements. Perform complex audit analysis and provide well-supported findings and ratings to senior management. Review team deliverables, set expectations, and provide coaching and feedback to support professional development. Promote innovation by applying agile audit techniques and finding opportunities to enhance audit efficiency and effectiveness. Participate in special projects and other duties as assigned. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, accounting, or a related field; advanced degree (e.g., MBA) or professional certification (CIA, CFA, FRM) preferred. Minimum of 8 years of proven experience in financial services, preferably in asset management, internal audit, or risk and controls. Practical understanding of investment and trading lifecycles as they relate to audit testing, including investment operations, fund accounting, and securities processing Experience leading audits related to fund accounting (NAVs, valuations, expenses, income), investment operations, or middle‑office processes Proven ability to manage complex projects in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. Experience using data, reports, and reconciliations to support audit testing and conclusions (advanced analytics not required) Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across teams. Strong interpersonal skills and a client-focused mindset, with experience presenting findings to senior leadership. Demonstrated conceptual thinking and the ability to challenge the status quo constructively. Special Factors Sponsorship Vanguard is not offering visa sponsorship for this position. About Vanguard At Vanguard, we don't just have a mission—we're on a mission. To work for the long-term financial wellbeing of our clients. To lead through product and services that transform our clients' lives. To learn and develop our skills as individuals and as a team. From Malvern to Melbourne, our mission drives us forward and inspires us to be our best. How We Work Vanguard has implemented a hybrid working model for the majority of our crew members, designed to capture the benefits of enhanced flexibility while enabling in-person learning, collaboration, and connection. We believe our mission-driven and highly collaborative culture is a critical enabler to support long-term client outcomes and enrich the employee experience. Vanguard, one of the world's leading investment management companies, serves individual investors, institutions, employer-sponsored retirement plans, and financial professionals. We have a diverse and talented crew with a culture that promotes teamwork, along with an unwavering focus on serving our clients' best interests. This website uses "cookies" to distinguish you from other users. A cookie is a small file of letters and numbers placed on your computer or device. This helps us to provide you with a good experience when you browse our website and also allows us to improve our site and services. The cookies are stored locally on your computer or mobile device. To accept cookies you can continue browsing as normal. Or you can go to our Privacy Policy to read more information and learn how to change your preferences.
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How to Get Hired at Vanguard

  • The Vanguard Group is the world's second-largest asset manager with ~$10T AUM and ~21,000 employees, headquartered on a 100-acre wooded campus at 100 Vanguard Boulevard in Malvern PA, with major U.S. offices in Charlotte NC, Phoenix AZ, and Scottsdale AZ, plus international offices in London, Melbourne, Mexico City, and Shanghai.
  • Vanguard is mutually owned by its own funds (and through them by the funds' investors) — there is no IPO, no parent company, no founding family equity stake, and no external shareholder. This structure is the source of the firm's roughly 0.07 percent average expense ratio and is referenced in nearly every internal cultural conversation. Engaging with this structure understandingly is the single biggest cultural-fit signal you can send.
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