Patrick Curtis
Chicago,IL
Summary
Results-driven Internal Audit leader specializing in governance enhancement, risk management, and operational improvement. Led diverse audits in manufacturing, technology, healthcare, and government sectors, fostering strong partnerships with business leaders. Expertise in audit strategy, quality assurance, control evaluation, remediation oversight, and talent development, transforming Internal Audit into a strategic business partner.
Overview
1
1
Certification
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Internal Audit Manager
Packaging Corporation of America
01.2026 - 09.2026
- Directed and carried out risk-based audit strategies across manufacturing plants through evaluation of operational risk, financial exposure, regulatory compliance requirements, fraud risk indicators, and control maturity, and optimizing audit coverage and resource deployment.
- Served as a strategic advisor to senior management and audit leadership for an $8.4 billion organization with approximately 15,400 employees, helping align audit coverage, risk assessments, and assurance activities with enterprise priorities and emerging risks.
- Strengthened bench depth and future leadership capability by developing a high-performing audit team through talent management, succession planning, leadership coaching, competency frameworks, performance management, and professional development programs.
- Led high-profile fraud investigations across inventory procurement, revenue recognition, payroll, and financial controls, leveraging data analytics, root-cause analysis, and stakeholder interviews to quantify exposure and implement corrective actions.
Interanal Audit Manager
Packaging Corporation of America
08.2023 - 01.2026
- Executed complex operational, financial, compliance, and SOX audits from planning through reporting, providing independent assurance over internal controls, business processes, financial reporting, regulatory compliance, and operational effectiveness while ensuring adherence to IIA Standards and departmental quality expectations.
- Collaborated with executive leadership, area controllers, plant management, and external auditors to address audit findings and control deficiencies, enhancing SOX compliance and driving remediation efforts.
- Performed the Quality Assurance and Improvement Program (QAIP) review, ensuring conformance with Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) Global Internal Audit Standards, strengthening audit quality, governance maturity, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Developed and retained a high-performing audit team through leadership coaching, competency frameworks and performance management.
Senior Internal Auditor
Here Technologies
04.2021 - 08.2023
- Led financial, operational, and compliance audits in accordance with IFRS, including developing audit programs,
executing testing, and reporting results for a global 9,000-employee organization to complete the audit plan. - Optimized outcomes by coaching audit support staff on audit techniques, sampling methodologies, and root cause analysis to support findings.
- Worked with business leaders to pinpoint process improvements and implement solutions that increased operational efficiency while strengthening SOX compliance in resource-constrained environments.
- Coordinated AuditBoard implementation and user acceptance testing as project lead, facilitating system adoption and strengthening audit workflow efficiency and documentation quality.
Finance Business Controls
IBM (including Truven Health Analytics)
01.2017 - 04.2021
- Transitioned into an IT-focused role as part of $2.6B Truven acquisition, driving rapid learning of IT architecture and cryptography and partnering with IT leadership to evaluate the IT General Controls environment.
- Identified and assessed risks, evaluated control effectiveness, tested compliance requirements, and guided management on process improvements through business controls engagements.
- Built multi-factor NIST/SOX risk rating tool adopted by multiple business segments to support management assessments.
- Directed separation-of-duties assessments across financial reporting, revenue, receivables, payables, and payroll processes for $34B Red Hat acquisition, uncovering conflicts and control gaps requiring remediation.
Internal Audit Manager
IBM (including Truven Health Analytics)
01.2015 - 01.2017
- Oversaw SOX 404 program covering 100+ controls across revenue, financial reporting, receivables, payables, fixed assets, treasury, and payroll; partnering with management to ensure timely control remediation.
- Presented results to Audit Director in preparation for SOX 404 Steering Committee meetings.
- Supported SOX program through development of process flowcharts and risk control matrices while assisting management in identifying key control spreadsheet.
- Ongoing staff performance evaluation focused on strengthening strengths while delivering constructive feedback for skill growth and continuous learning.
Senior Internal Auditor
IBM (including Truven Health Analytics)
06.2014 - 01.2015
- Conducted SOX testing across revenue, payables, fixed assets, treasury financial reporting, and tax
- Documented and revised process flow diagrams, control matrices, and walkthrough procedures.
- Met with process owners to discuss audit plans and implement corrective steps for ineffective internal controls.
Government Auditor
Department of Defense - DCAA
09.2009 - 06.2014
- Performed complex incurred cost and proposal audits, evaluating contractor cost structures and supporting audit findings for FAR and CAS compliance.
- Analyzed working papers, source documentation, and accounting records to verify allowability, allocability, and reasonableness.
- Identified and substantiated audit findings that resulted in the recovery of more than $50 million in government funds through detailed contract, financial, and compliance reviews.
Education
Master of Science - Accounting
Truman State University
Kirksville, MOBachelor of Science - Accounting
Truman State University
Kirksville, MOSkills
- Internal Audit Leadership
- SOX 404 Compliance
- Enterprise Risk Management
- Governance & Internal Controls
- Fraud Investigations
- Data Analytics
- Audit Committee Reporting
- Quality Assurance Improvement Programs
- Acquisition integration
- Team Leadership and Development
- External Auditor Coordination
- Time Management
Certification
- CPA - Certified Public Accountant (License No. 065.039237)
- CIA - Certified Internal Auditor (License No. CIA-181698-HTKJD)
Timeline
Senior Internal Audit Manager
Packaging Corporation of America
01.2026 - 09.2026
Interanal Audit Manager
Packaging Corporation of America
08.2023 - 01.2026
Senior Internal Auditor
Here Technologies
04.2021 - 08.2023
Finance Business Controls
IBM (including Truven Health Analytics)
01.2017 - 04.2021
Internal Audit Manager
IBM (including Truven Health Analytics)
01.2015 - 01.2017
Senior Internal Auditor
IBM (including Truven Health Analytics)
06.2014 - 01.2015
Government Auditor
Department of Defense - DCAA
09.2009 - 06.2014
Master of Science - Accounting
Truman State University
Bachelor of Science - Accounting
Truman State University