The Southern Ute Indian Tribe’s Internal Audit team gained Jamie Rivera on Monday, Nov. 22. Rivera will be working with Southern Ute Tribal Council, tribal departments and divisions, Sky Ute Casino Resort, and the Growth Fund to perform audits, assurance, advisory and other non-audit services.
Rivera is the daughter of Steven Rivera and Adrianna Weaver; she grew up in the Ignacio and Farmington area. She graduated from the University of New Mexico with her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the Anderson School of Business. “When I graduated, I came back to work for the Tribe, I started out working for TIS [Tribal Information Services] then I moved to the Legal Department as the legal assistant and now I am working with audit as an associate internal auditor,” Rivera stated. “I’m very grateful for the tribal scholarship and for getting my education, so I did want to come back and contribute what I had learned by returning and working for the Tribe.”
The Internal Audit Department and the employees adhere to a stringent code of ethics by incorporating objectivity, integrity, and confidentiality within each audit activity performed. Some of the tasks that Rivera will perform include, audit and assurance activities, as well as the examination of records and other evidence for the purpose of providing an objective assessment of a program. Advisory and non-audit services include activities such as assisting, facilitating, or performing agreed-upon activities with process owners in order to achieve organizational objectives, to improve efficiencies and effectiveness, or to achieve a desired outcome.
“As a new auditor, a focus for Jamie will be developing her skills that will help her succeed as an auditor, Jamie will also cross train with senior auditors to get her up to speed on the various audit engagements that we are performing,” stated Internal Audit Director Brian Bex.
Only three weeks into her new position, Rivera has already started training and shadowing senior auditors with fieldwork and general audit reporting. “I wanted to try something new, so when this position first opened, I was allowed to shadow the department to get familiar with the work and through that I instantly became interested because I had seen firsthand how important the work they do for the Tribe is,” Rivera said. “All the responsibility that comes with the job is very important because it helps the tribal government and tribal entities run more effectively.”
“Jamie has an incredible education and work background that will complement our audit team,” Bex stated. “I believe that Jamie exhibits the traits that are inherent for an auditor.”
For more information about the Internal Audit Department Contact Director, Brian Bex in the LCB Bldg. with inquiries. Email: bbex@southernute-nsn.gov Phone: 970.563.2310