REBECCA DIANA CHEEK
Columbia,Md.
Summary
Results-driven Internal Audit Professional with expertise in developing audit programs and strengthening internal controls. Skilled in audit report development and regulatory compliance communication. Strong ability to apply auditing principles and cultivate stakeholder relationships to promote continuous improvement.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Sr. Advisor-Internal Audit
Raymond James Financial
St. Petersburg, FL
01.2022 - Current
- Drive ongoing audit coverage of assigned functional audit area by developing audit programs.
- Propose audit objectives, scope, procedures and internal control reviews to ensure compliance with policies and procedures.
- Participate in audit engagements from the planning stages to the reporting stages.
- Produced quality deliverables aligning with department and professional standards to enhance audit outcomes.
- Partner with colleagues and stakeholders to evaluate, test and report on the adequacy and effectiveness of management controls.
- Finalize audit findings and provide an overall report on the control environment.
- Communicated audit findings to management, identifying improvement opportunities for key control design and effectiveness.
- Built and maintained relationships with stakeholders to foster engagement and drive value in audit processes.
- Implement and execute an effective program of continuous monitoring for assigned audit areas.
- Monitor key metrics to identify control issues and adverse trends.
- Remain current with evolving industry and regulatory changes that impact the business.
- Executed additional tasks according to departmental needs.
- Validated issues identified during audits to ensure accuracy and compliance.
- Associate Experience Committee Coordinator-Facilitate/coordinates IA Department community events
- Events Committee-Assist with IA Department events
Inspector General I-Certified Inspector General Auditor (CIGA), Certified Economic Crime Forensic Examiner (CECFE)
Pinellas County Clerk of Court-Division of Inspector General
Clearwater, FL
04.2021 - 10.2021
- Conducted audits, investigations, reviews, and consulting projects in accordance with the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing, the Principles and Standards for Offices of Inspector General and the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Inspector General Accreditation.
- Executed audit and investigative procedures, producing detailed reports for public dissemination.
- Performed interviews, collected supporting documentation, and reviewed facts to substantiate conclusions in an investigation.
- Evaluated internal accounting and administrative controls in relation to cost benefits and effectiveness.
- Assisted in preparing comprehensive audit reports for supervisor review.
- Collaborated with State of Florida, federal, and independent auditors and investigators to support effective oversight and compliance.
- Performed various related tasks to support team objectives.
Campus Director/Lead-Remote & Financial Aid Auditor-Remote
FA Solutions
St. Petersburg, FL
12.2017 - 11.2020
- Administered final approval or rejection of financial aid packages submitted by school liaison, ensuring compliance and delivering bi-weekly reports to owner and school analyst.
- Reviewed 60+ school disbursements, refunds, and R2T4 calculations for compliance of Department of Education regulations.
- Executed audit projects for school and Department of Education A-133 audit preparation, contributing to successful compliance outcomes.
- Audited Return to Title 4 (R2T4) calculations and processed Professional Judgements.
- Coordinated with audit teammates on complex financial aid files to ensure accuracy and identify best resolution outcomes.
- Coordinated with school liaison to ensure accuracy and provided resources to correct the errors.
- Reviewed updated Federal and Department of Education Guidelines to ensure accuracy and compliance.
- Completed verifications of tax information, citizenships, and income.
- Prepared content for company intranet. Created and maintained monthly company newsletter of Department of Education and IFAP regulation updates for distribution to the schools.
- Assisted IT department in implementing a company-wide application.
- Internal Audit Department-Reported to Director of Compliance.
Sr. Finance Central Processor II/Return to Title IV
ULTIMATE MEDICAL ACADEMY
Tampa, FL
04.2011 - 04.2016
- Reported to Director of Financial Aid.
- Confirmed that Financial Aid Packages are compliant with Federal, Department of Education, State, and Local Regulations.
- Calculated Financial Aid Earned to determine necessary refund of Title IV funding.
- Processed post-withdrawal funding requests, ensuring accurate financial adjustments for students.
- Administered final approval or rejection of financial aid packages.
- Ensured enrollment, schedule, and student academic progress met financial aid requirements determined by Dept. of Ed regulations & school policy.
- Coordinated with financial aid planners to verify accuracy of files processed via Campus View.
- Reviewed Re-Entry packaging to ensure not over/under funding and proper packaging.
- Conducted origination changes with COD due to student status changes.
- Reviewed Past-Due-Cash reports to generate funds that have not paid.
- Facilitated correction of inaccurate files, providing financial aid planners with necessary resources for resolution.
- Audited and processed files for National Massage Therapy Institute (Partner School).
- Maintained knowledge and adherence of UMA Compliance standards, Ethics training, and company mission statement.
Education
Certified Economic Crime Forensic Examiner -
National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C)
01-2021
Certified Inspector General Auditor -
Association of Inspectors General
Jacksonville, FL01-2021
Master's in Business Administration - Concentration in Management
Strayer University
Charlotte, NC01-2009
Bachelor of Arts - English, Sociology, Psychology
UNC Charlotte
Charlotte, NC01-2003
Skills
- Knowledge of auditing standards
- Knowledge of internal controls
- Knowledge of accounting principles
- Application of auditing principles
- Audit report development
- Investigative practices
- Interviewing techniques
- Understanding of Florida statutes
- Microsoft Office proficiency
- Google Sheets expertise
- Great Plains experience
- Online payroll services experience
- Project implementation skills
- Software proficiency
- Effective communication skills
Affiliations
- Raymond James Valor Network
- Encore Professional Network
- Multi-Cultural Network
- Women’s Inclusion Network
- Association of Inspectors General (AIG)
- Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA)
- Information Systems Audit & Control Association (ISACA)
- National White Collar Crime Center (N3CW)
- Association of Local Government Auditors (ALGA)
- Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE)
- Florida Government Finance Officers Association (FGFOA)
- Association of Certified Fraud Specialists (ACFS)
- Association of Government Accountants (AGA)
Certification
- CECFE
- CIGA
- MBA
Achievements
- Gold Star Award, Raymond James Internal Audit, 2024
- Gold Star Award, FA Solutions, 2020
- Customer Services Award, Lutheran Services, 2017
- Treasurer, Tampa Bay Dragon Boat Club, 2016
- Customer Service Award, UMA, 2012
- Honors Graduate, Strayer University, 2009
- Regional Support Officer of the Quarter, Strayer University, 2008
- Recipient of the Charles Stone Scholarship Award, Central Piedmont Community College, 1999
- Student Government Association, Central Piedmont Community College, 1999
Timeline
Sr. Advisor-Internal Audit
Raymond James Financial
01.2022 - Current
Inspector General I-Certified Inspector General Auditor (CIGA), Certified Economic Crime Forensic Examiner (CECFE)
Pinellas County Clerk of Court-Division of Inspector General
04.2021 - 10.2021
Campus Director/Lead-Remote & Financial Aid Auditor-Remote
FA Solutions
12.2017 - 11.2020
Sr. Finance Central Processor II/Return to Title IV
ULTIMATE MEDICAL ACADEMY
04.2011 - 04.2016
Certified Economic Crime Forensic Examiner -
National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C)
Certified Inspector General Auditor -
Association of Inspectors General
Master's in Business Administration - Concentration in Management
Strayer University
Bachelor of Arts - English, Sociology, Psychology
UNC Charlotte