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Internal Audits for Financial Institutions

Efficient, risk-based internal audits tailored to how your institution really operates, helping you move forward with confidence

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An Approach That Prioritizes Speed, Service, and Substance

Our internal audit practice is purpose-built for banks, credit unions, and fintechs. At Saltmarsh, it’s a core service delivered by specialists who understand the unique demands of your industry. We know how to align risk, scope, and timing in a way that works best for your institution. 

Clients trust us because we deliver fast, flexible service and clear, actionable insights. Our reports meet regulatory standards, but our clients most often find the real value is in the perspective we bring and the relationships we build along the way.

Practical Reviews Backed by Real-World Experience

Every financial institution is different. That’s why our approach is built on collaboration and context. We start by understanding your institution’s structure, culture, systems, and strategy and then tailor our procedures accordingly. Our team is known for responsiveness, deep expertise, and clear communication, and we make it a priority to deliver timely, actionable guidance that supports both compliance and operational goals.

Whether you're preparing for an exam, launching a new product, or simply seeking a fresh perspective, we offer the clarity and confidence that today’s banks, credit unions, and fintechs need.

 

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Explore More Services:

Banks
Credit Unions
Fintechs
Regulatory Compliance
Internal Audit
FDICIA 363 Consulting & Readiness
Credit Quality Reviews
ACH Reviews & Risk Assessments
BSA, AML, OFAC, and CFT
Fair Lending & UDAAP Risk Reviews
CRA Services 
Asset Liability Management Review
Information Systems & Cybersecurity Audits
Trust Operations & Fiduciary Responsibilities
Advisory, Training, and Coaching
 

 

Our Internal Audit Services

We structure our internal audit services around the significant operating areas that matter most to financial institutions. Each engagement is tailored to your risk profile, operations,  internal controls, and is designed to deliver clarity and confidence.

Deposit Operations

This includes reviews of account opening, account maintenance, transaction processing, wire transfers, and fraud prevention. We focus on practical risks and making sure controls are not just in policies but are operating as intended.

Loan Operations & Credit Administration

We evaluate origination, underwriting, documentation, servicing, and overall credit administration practices. Whether your portfolio includes commercial, consumer, or specialized lending, our reviews are tailored to your specific loan portfolio. 

Accounting & Financial Reporting

Our audits in this area focus on reconciliations, financial close procedures, general ledger oversight, and call report preparation. The goal is to ensure accuracy, transparency, and consistency across your institution’s financial reporting systems.

Other Operational Areas

These engagements may include a combination of branch operations, payroll, HR, physical security, and other institution-specific areas that fall outside the other core operation buckets. The scope is customized for every engagement based on risk, past findings, and emerging priorities.

Custom Internal Audits, Risk Assessments, and Execution Support

We handle one-off audits of specialized areas such as fintech partnerships, banking-as-a-service relationships, specialized product offerings, or new product lines. We also assist with internal audit risk assessments and scope planning, helping institutions tie audit frequency to assessed risk. Additionally, we are available to support the implementation of corrective actions identified during the audit.

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People and Practices. The team is well trained, knowledgeable, experienced, accessible, and demonstraates good communication skills. Fieldwork, deliverables and presentations are first class. Our team at the bank always has good dialogue with Saltmarsh, and we learn something with each engagement.
Piedmont Federal Savings Bank NC

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Get the Most Recent Updates at a Glance

Recent & Upcoming Regulatory Compliance Changes – Quarterly Update

This document includes concise summaries of the most material developments over the past quarter. It’s ideal for those who need a quick, focused view of what’s changed since the last report.

What’s inside:

  • Key updates from CFPB, OCC, FDIC, FRB, and HUD
  • Effective dates and impact levels
  • Hyperlinked citations to original rules
  • Summaries of rescinded, vacated, or delayed provisions

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Expertise That Scales With You

Saltmarsh brings more than internal audit services: we bring a depth of institutional knowledge that helps financial institutions strengthen controls, respond to change, and prepare for what’s next.

Our team understands the realities of operating a financial institution because we’ve worked inside them. That means we don’t just deliver audit reports: we help you make sense of them, act on them, and align them with your broader risk strategy. As your institution grows or faces new complexity, we adapt our approach without losing focus or momentum.

It’s this combination of technical precision, practical insight, and continuity that sets us apart, and it’s why clients trust us as a long-term partner in building and sustaining effective internal audit programs.

Meet the Team

Our internal audit team includes professionals with deep backgrounds in banking, accounting, audit, compliance, and operations. From former bank executives to seasoned consultants and internal auditors, we bring practical experience and a collaborative mindset to every engagement.

Strickland, Josh-1

Josh Strickland, CPA

Partner

Josh is a partner and the practice leader of Saltmarsh’s Financial Institution Advisory Group, with deep experience in accounting, internal audit, loan review, and strategic consulting. He advises financial institutions on performance, risk management, accounting, and operational matters.

Helms-Macbeth, Stephen

Stephen Helms-MacBeth

Manager, Financial Institutions Consulting

Stephen is a manager in Saltmarsh’s Financial Institution Advisory Group with over 25 years of experience in compliance, operations, and financial institution policy. He specializes in internal audits, BSA reviews, and compliance assessments for financial institutions.

Keith, Jason

Jason Keith, CIA, CISA

Senior Manager

Jason is a senior manager in the Financial Institution Advisory Group with 18 years of experience in risk management. He specializes in internal audit, electronic payments, strategic consulting, and technology solutions. His background includes previous roles in compliance, lending, operations, internal audit, and information systems within Banks.

Newsome, Jay-1

Jay Newsome, CPA

Senior Manager

Jay is a senior manager with over 20 years of experience delivering audit and consulting services to financial institutions. He specializes in financial statement audits, internal audits, loan reviews, and client training. A graduate of the Alabama Bankers Association’s Banking School, Jay was honored with the Kay Ivey Outstanding Bank Award and recognized as one of Business Alabama’s 2022 Faces of Finance.

Longabach, Julie-1

Julie Longabach

Manager, Financial Institutions

Julie is a manager in the Financial Institution Advisory Group and brings over 25 years of experience in accounting and management for financial institutions. She oversees and conducts internal audits for financial institutions, drawing on prior roles as a Bank CFO and former Bank Examiner with the State of Florida.

Let’s Talk

Whether you’re scaling operations, crossing key asset thresholds, or introducing new products and partnerships, we can help you build an internal audit program that keeps pace. Let’s talk about what’s ahead—and how to get ahead of it.

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Stay Up To Date with the Financial Institution Industry

Join our email list for banks or credit unions to receive quarterly insights and information on upcoming events from our team of experts to help you succeed in this ever-changing environment.

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