Internal Audit & Quality Assurance
Independent internal audit and quality assurance aligned to OCC, FDIC, and Federal Reserve expectations — risk-based reviews and evidence-ready governance. Remediation and validation are performed for regulatory examinations.
Our Approach: People • Purpose • Process
People
First, we connect with the people — stakeholders across 1LOD, 2LOD, and 3LOD — to align objectives, evidence expectations, owners, and timelines. Oversight lands on real people; our audits reduce disruption, clarify ownership, and build capability so teams keep pace without burnout.
Purpose
Regulatory pressure is rising; credibility is currency. Our audits protect mission and reputation through durable governance that examiners and boards trust.
Process
Findings become proof: Assess Risk → Pinpoint Gaps → Co-Own Remediation → Verify Effectiveness → Embed Improvements For Future Exams.
Where Internal Audit & QA Slip (and How We Fix It)
What we commonly see
- Audits and compliance testing not completed on time; calendars out of sync with examinations.
- Testing not connected to regulatory obligations or internal policy requirements.
- Unclear ownership; slow or missing documentation/evidence from business teams.
- Checklist mindset vs. risk reduction and mission protection.
- Communication gaps across 1LOD, 2LOD, and 3LOD.
How we fix it (People • Purpose • Process)
First, we connect with the people — get everyone aligned on objectives, evidence, owners, and timelines.
- People: RACI, evidence calendar, live working sessions, early escalation to unblock evidence.
- Purpose: Map every test to regulation/policy; create a traceability matrix examiners can follow.
- Process: Integrated plan, IDR tracker, documentation standards, SLAs for evidence, weekly dashboards.
Why This Matters Now
In banking, fintech, and crypto, OCC/FDIC/FRB examinations and targeted reviews demand proof your controls work. Internal Audit provides independent assurance; remediation closes MRAs/MRIAs and exam findings with evidence that withstands scrutiny. We prioritize high-risk areas, build corrective action plans, and validate fixes so you're exam-ready and board-confident.
What We Solve
Enterprise Risk Management
Evaluate key risks with a portfolio approach; develop mitigation strategies and risk-appetite aligned responses.
Compliance and Controls
Ensure adherence to applicable laws, regulations, and standards to avoid legal and financial penalties.
Risk Assessment and Analysis
Identify and evaluate risks to operations, assets, customers, and reputation using qualitative and quantitative techniques.
Risk Mitigation Planning
Develop strategies and action plans to reduce or eliminate identified risks and minimize their impact.
Internal Controls Evaluation
Assess and strengthen internal control systems to prevent fraud, errors, and inefficiencies across processes and systems.
What We Deliver
Risk-Based Internal Audits
- Tailored to your organization's unique challenges
- Comprehensive vulnerability assessments
- SOX/ITGC, operational, and compliance audits
- Actionable recommendations and roadmaps
- Evidence-based findings and clear documentation
Quality Assurance Reviews
- Independent evaluation of internal audit functions
- Compliance Testing (Second Line) — enterprise-wide design, sampling, and QA
- 1LOD/2LOD coordination and issues management quality review
Regulatory Exam Remediation & Validation
- Address MRAs/MRIAs and supervisory findings (OCC, FDIC, FRB)
- Corrective Action Plans (owners, timelines, success criteria)
- Independent validation / re-test with evidence and sampling
- Exam binder, management responses, and board/regulator reporting
Industry Applications
FAQs
How disruptive is the audit?
We plan around business cycles, automate evidence where possible, and keep fieldwork tightly scoped to the risks that matter.
Can you help with remediation?
Yes — from corrective action plans to re-testing and board reporting, we support the full cycle for regulatory examinations.
Do you work outside financial services?
Yes; we're industry-agnostic with depth in regulated sectors.
Ready to move forward?
Let's align scope, timelines, and outcomes for your engagement.
Contact Ethixera