The Law Society of Alberta (Law Society) regulates the legal profession in the public interest.
In alignment with the Law Society’s mandate, vision, and strategic priorities, the Trust Safety department delivers a program that protects the public by helping ensure lawyers manage client trust funds responsibly. This includes evaluating lawyers' (and law firms’) compliance with the Rules of the Law Society, setting standards for trust accounting, requiring financial reporting, offering guidance and education and taking appropriate steps where concerns are identified.
As a key member of the Trust Safety team, the Supervisor, Audit, is responsible for the effective delivery, quality and integrity of the Trust Safety’s audit function. This position provides oversight of staff and external audit resources, ensures the consistent application of audit methodology, and plays a critical role in assessing risk, creating an annual audit plan, informing regulatory responses, and supporting defensible decision-making.
The Supervisor works closely with the Manager, Trust Safety, and other regulatory departments to identify emerging risks, prioritize oversight activities, and ensure audit findings are well-reasoned, evidence-based, and appropriately escalated in the public interest.
Success in this role requires strong professional judgment, regulatory insight, leadership capability, communication skills, and analytical skills, as well as a thorough understanding of trust accounting, audit standards, and the Law Society’s regulatory role.
Audit Program Leadership:
- Assess and evaluate the level of risk associated with law firms and lawyers based on qualitative and quantitative factors available with the Law Society.
- Lead the development and ongoing refinement of an annual risk‑based audit plan informed by financial reporting, compliance data, and emerging risk indicators.
- Execute the annual audit plan by providing operational leadership and oversight, ensuring audits are planned, executed, documented, and reported in accordance with established standards and regulatory expectations.
- Conduct audit quality assurance reviews, including review of audit working papers, findings, and reports to ensure consistency, accuracy, and defensibility.
- Recommend appropriate regulatory responses proportionate to assessed risk, including enhanced monitoring, conditions, follow‑up audits, or referrals to the Conduct Department.
- Consult with the Manager, Trust Safety on complex, high‑risk, or sensitive matters and support informed decision‑making grounded in the public interest.
People Leadership and Resource Management
- Supervise, coach, and develop audit staff, fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and high‑integrity work environment.
- Set performance expectations, provide ongoing feedback, and support professional development and succession planning within the audit team.
- Manage the engagement and performance of external audit service providers, including scope, quality, timelines, and value for money.
- Assign audit resources based on risk, complexity, capacity, and competency considerations.
Program Development and Continuous Improvement
- In collaboration with the Manager, Trust Safety, contribute to the ongoing review and enhancement of the Trust Safety program, audit methodology, tools, and templates.
- Support the use of data analytics, audit automation, and continuous monitoring approaches to strengthen risk identification and audit effectiveness.
- Monitor and report on key performance indicators, trends, and outcomes to support program effectiveness and strategic planning.
Stakeholder Engagement and Regulatory Collaboration
- Develop and maintain effective working relationships with internal stakeholders and externally, with law firms and professionals.
- Contribute subject‑matter expertise to regulatory initiatives, education programs, and cross‑departmental risk discussions.
- Participate, as required, in hearings or proceedings as an expert witness or technical resource, providing clear and objective evidence based on audit work.
Additional Responsibilities
- Prepare clear, concise, and professional reports, briefing materials, and correspondence for management, committees, and other regulatory forums.
- Remain flexible and capable of assuming additional responsibilities as the Trust Safety program evolves.
- Perform other duties and projects as assigned.
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
- Professional certifications such as the Chartered Professional Accounting (CPA) designation and/or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Certified Anti Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) are required. Certification in progress will be
- 5+ years of progressive audit experience, including public accounting, internal audit, regulatory audit, or compliance environments.
- 2+ years of supervisory or people leadership experience or demonstrated experience leading complex audit engagements.
- Strong knowledge of audit standards, risk assessment practices, and financial reporting and record-keeping requirements.
- Experience in a regulatory, public‑sector, or professional oversight environment is an asset.
- Familiarity with law firm trust accounting and regulatory compliance is an asset.
- Experience using data analytics or audit automation tools to inform risk‑based oversight is an asset.
- Exposure to fraud risk, misconduct investigations, or AML/financial integrity frameworks is an asset.
The Law Society of Alberta regulates the legal profession in the public interest by promoting and enforcing a high standard of professional and ethical conduct by Alberta lawyers.
We derive our authority from the Legal Profession Act (http://www.qp.alberta.ca/documents/Acts/l08.pdf)of Alberta and set out standards through a Code of Conduct (https://documents.lawsociety.ab.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/14211909/Code.pdf) and the Rules of the Law Society of Alberta (https://documents.lawsociety.ab.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/04144612/Rules.pdf).
While we do not provide legal advice on specific cases, from our unique perspective as the regulator, we actively work with members of the justice system to improve the administration of justice for all Albertans.
- Comprehensive compensation package
- Work-life balance benefits that allow you to balance your career and personal commitments.
- Access to a free onsite gym and tenant lounge.
- Private Reflection Rooms to observe religious or cultural beliefs, meditate or take a mental health break.
