Auditor

• Join a team where you can enjoy work-life balance and do meaningful work
• Receive a competitive annual salary of $102,891-$111,838, plus full benefits
• Enjoy a positive work culture that prioritizes diversity, equity, collaboration, and innovation

About The Law Society of British Columbia

The Law Society ensures the public is well served by legal professionals who are honourable and competent. We regulate the legal profession in BC, protecting the public interest in the administration of justice, by setting and enforcing standards of professional conduct for lawyers. We also bring a voice to issues affecting the justice system and the delivery of legal services.

The Law Society of BC is proud to be recognized as one of BC’s Top 100 Employers of 2024 for the third year in a row. We are an organization that values a positive work culture, and that includes ensuring we are a diverse, equitable, collaborative, and innovative organization both inside and out. We are also passionate about employee development and wellness, and are proud to offer comprehensive benefits and support to our team members.

To read more about us, our mission, various initiatives, and resources, please visit our website.

About the Opportunity

Currently, the Law Society is seeking a full-time Auditor to join our team. This is a hybrid work position, however, the successful candidate must reside in the Lower Mainland and be able to travel within BC.

Reporting to your team lead, you are responsible for conducting Compliance Audits in accordance with the Law Society's regulations. Your main responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Conducting Compliance Audits to assess lawyers’ compliance with the trust accounting rules and to identify potential misconduct issues or misuse of the trust account related to financial matters
• Reviewing law firms’ records for non-compliance with the Legal Profession Act, Law Society Rules, and the Code of Professional Conduct for British Columbia and identifying potential fraud and money laundering
• Using data analytics and professional judgment to assess key areas of focus and implementing additional audit procedures as necessary
• Interviewing lawyer(s) and the firms’ accounting staff and asking appropriate questions throughout the audit
• Applying professional skepticism with the review of the firms’ records and explanations
• Conducting complex investigative audits in areas of serious concerns, including anti-money laundering
• Operating independently and ensuring work is completed to schedule and meets our high-quality standards
• Writing concise, impartial, and factual reports of audit findings
• Communicating the report findings and providing feedback to lawyers regarding areas of compliance and non-compliance with the rules
• Providing recommendations to lawyers on how to remedy any deficiencies identified during the audit, when appropriate
• Drafting detailed memos to refer serious audit findings to the Professional Conduct department and providing oral evidence supporting the referral, when required
• Reviewing annual Trust Report submissions and assessing law firm compliance with the Division 7 Rules
• Composing letters to lawyers and reviewing correspondence from lawyers regarding Trust Reports, trust shortages, cash breaches, storage modification requests, and other matters
• Responding to inquiries from lawyers and law firm staff regarding trust accounting, the trust administration fee, and Part 3, Division 7, and Division 8 Rule interpretations
• Participating in the review and refinement of the Trust Assurance Program, including the continued development and refinement of audit procedures and reference materials such as the Trust Accounting Handbook
• Assisting in training of new auditors on audit procedures
• Promoting a collegial environment of sharing and transferring knowledge and information amongst department members
• Conducting new firm visits, discussing the firm’s procedures in handing trust funds, and providing feedback on how to remedy any deficiencies
• Other duties as the Director, Trust Assurance may require

About You

To qualify, you will need at least 5+ years of experience in auditing in public practice and/or accounting for law firms. It is essential that you have a high level of professional judgment, excellent written and communication skills, and an outstanding ability to convey a message.

A Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation with CPABC is required, however, candidates who have taken their exams and are in the final stages of administrative processing or undergoing inter-provincial transfer to obtain local CPA accreditation will be considered.

Skills, experience, and background in the following are required:

• Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist designation with ACAMS, or the willingness to acquire it
• Ability to identify potential compliance concerns and investigative skills
• Ability to educate lawyers on the rules and regulations related to compliance

Additional designations such as CFE or CIA are desirable, but not required.

As travel is required, the successful candidate must have access to a reliable vehicle and a valid BC driver’s licence.

About the Benefits

As recognition for all your hard work and determination, you can look forward to an annual salary ranging from $102,891-$111,838, evaluated on skills and experience, plus the following:

• Opportunity to work in a hybrid work model
• Extended health benefits, including vision, prescription, and dental coverage
• Insurance coverage including accidental death and dismemberment, life, and short and long-term disability
• 4 weeks' vacation to start 
• The Law Society health spending account
• RRSP matching
• Join an organization that promotes a healthy life-work balance and a respectful workplace
• Team and organization social events such as monthly socials, celebrating birthday and service milestones, and annual events including the annual winter party and recognition lunch 

Why Work with Us: Insights from Our Team