Harold B. Garrett, Jr., CPA, CIA, CISA
Ben is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Internal Auditor, (CIA) and a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA). Ben has over twenty five years of experience in the financial service industry primarily serving in the role as the Chief Executive Audit Officer for community banks, mortgage and trust companies. In this role, he managed and performed all the elements of the bank’s risk management function that includes financial and operational internal audits, assessing information technology controls, and regulatory compliance.
Ben has experience in developing and performing risk based internal evaluations of financial, operational and information technology controls using the COSO Framework as well as applicable audit standards as set forth by the AICPA, PCAOB, IIA, ISACA and COBIT. He has also assisted many community banks in coordinating their FDICIA and Sarbanes-Oxley efforts. Additionally, Ben has extensive experience in directing internal investigations on the behalf of management and/or the board of directors for community banks as outlined by their corporate governance policies. He has also assisted with strategic planning; project management; BSA/ AML Program testing; vendor management responsibilities; and internal control development.
Ben has a B.B.A. in Accounting from James Madison University and a Master of Science in Management of Information Systems from the University of Virginia. Ben has also attended and participated in numerous banking, accounting, security, compliance, and information technology seminars and schools. Ben is active with the Institute of Internal Auditors- Tidewater IIA Chapter, Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants, and Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA). He was a member of the Virginia Banker Association- Compliance Committee, and served as a compliance instructor. Ben also served on a sub-committee on the Bankers’ Affinity Group, to assist community bankers in obtain continuing education opportunities on current banking topics.