Head of Internal Audit

Who are we?

iBanFirst is a fast-growing European fintech that is revolutionizing international payments for SMEs. Founded in 2016, our platform empowers Small & Medium Multinationals (SMMs) to regain control over their payment operations: currency conversion (FX), international transactions and foreign exchange risk management across 140 countries — quickly, transparently and securely.

We make life easier for SMEs through an advanced technology platform — automation, APIs, AI and more — combined with dedicated expertise, offering the best of both worlds: the agility of a SaaS solution and the reliability of a trusted partner.

By simplifying complexity, iBanFirst helps thousands of bold companies seize global business opportunities with peace of mind — delivering simplicity, transparency and security.

Key figures

• 350+ employees across 14 offices in 11 European countries

• 30+ nationalities represented, with an average age of 32

• 10,000 corporate clients trust us

• €80M in revenue in 2025, with a target of around €100M in 2026

• Profitable for three years

• Ranked for 7 consecutive years in the Financial Times FT1000, among the fastest-growing European companies

• An NPS of 87.5 — an exceptional score in our industry, reflecting client feedback on the simplicity, speed and quality of our service

A strong culture built around four core values

Team First: The complexity of our industry demands collective intelligence. We prioritise cooperation, transparency and knowledge sharing. Success is a team effort, and decisions are made together.

Tenacity: We are transforming a challenging and highly regulated market. It requires endurance, fast learning and resilience — qualities rooted in our entrepreneurial DNA.

Transformation: Innovation is not a buzzword; it is a necessity in a constantly shifting and strategic sector. We innovate with intent: every technical, product or organisational improvement is designed for real impact.

Trust: Trust is the foundation of everything we build — with our clients and, above all, internally. It is driven by ownership, autonomy and a shared commitment to transparency, rigor and reliability.

Why join us?

• Operate at the heart of a strategic and fast-evolving sector: international payments for SMEs.

• Contribute to a meaningful mission: helping bold SMMs succeed globally.

• Work with advanced technologies, including automation, APIs and AI.

• Join an agile environment where your expertise has a tangible impact.

• Work alongside experienced professionals from leading financial institutions.

• Join a profitable, international and fast-growing company backed by long-term investors, including Xavier Niel, Bpifrance and Marlin Equity Partners.

• Make a visible contribution to the governance and control environment of a growing European fintech.

The Role

Recruitment Context

As iBanFirst continues to scale internationally, we are strengthening our internal control environment and governance framework.

Operating across 11 European countries and under the supervision of the National Bank of Belgium, iBanFirst places strong importance on maintaining a robust, independent and effective internal audit function.

The Head of Internal Audit will join an established framework, with an existing audit plan and control environment in place. The role offers the opportunity to build on these foundations, bring your own expertise and progressively develop the function as the business grows.

Manager & Team

You will report directly to Sonia Boudier, Deputy CEO of iBanFirst.

You will establish and lead the Internal Audit function, with full ownership of the audit scope and a high level of autonomy.

You will have regular access to senior governance bodies, including the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors, and will have the opportunity to present audit findings, key risks and remediation progress directly to senior stakeholders.

You will work closely with:

• The Executive Committee and the Board of Directors;

• External auditors;

• The National Bank of Belgium;

• Outsourced IT internal audit providers;

• All business functions across iBanFirst’s European offices.

The role is based in Paris or Brussels, with occasional travel to iBanFirst offices across Europe.

What will you do?

As Head of Internal Audit, you will lead the Internal Audit function and act as the Third Line of Defence, providing independent assurance to senior management and governance bodies on the effectiveness of iBanFirst’s governance, risk management, internal control and regulatory compliance frameworks.

Audit planning and execution

• Develop and annually review a risk-based internal audit plan across the Group.

• Incorporate input from key internal and external stakeholders into the audit plan.

• Execute internal audit engagements for the non-IT scope in line with the approved audit plan and relevant internal audit standards.

• Assess the design and operating effectiveness of governance, risk management and internal control frameworks.

• Produce high-quality audit reports with clear findings, conclusions and actionable recommendations.

• Ensure that audit work is properly documented and supported by appropriate evidence.

Oversight and monitoring

• Oversee and monitor the performance of outsourced IT internal audits.

• Track the implementation of audit recommendations across the organisation.

• Challenge remediation plans where necessary and monitor progress until issues are resolved.

• Ensure that audit activities remain aligned with regulatory expectations, particularly those of the National Bank of Belgium.

• Identify emerging risks and recommend improvements to the audit plan where appropriate.

Stakeholder engagement

• Present audit results, key risks and remediation progress to senior management, the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors.

• Coordinate and collaborate with external auditors and the National Bank of Belgium when required.

• Build trusted relationships with business functions across the Group.

• Act as a constructive and credible partner on governance, risk and control matters.

• Communicate complex findings clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Role Objectives

First three months

• Become fully familiar with iBanFirst’s business model, operating environment and regulatory framework.

• Review the existing internal audit plan, methodology and control environment.

• Build strong working relationships with Sonia, key ExCo members, business stakeholders and outsourced IT internal auditors.

• Take full ownership of the audit plan and ongoing audit engagements.

• Identify opportunities to improve the efficiency and impact of the Internal Audit function.

First six months

• Operate independently and establish a trusted relationship with senior stakeholders.

• Deliver your first audit reports and present findings confidently to senior governance bodies.

• Establish an effective working rhythm with external auditors and the National Bank of Belgium.

• Ensure that audit recommendations are tracked and followed up consistently.

• Begin enhancing the Internal Audit methodology and reporting framework where relevant.

First twelve months

• Contribute to Internal Audit being recognised as a trusted, credible and autonomous function.

• Deliver high-quality internal audit reports in line with the approved audit plan.

• Strengthen awareness of governance, risk and control topics across the organisation.

• Establish a scalable framework that can support iBanFirst’s continued international growth.

• Assess whether and when the Internal Audit team should be expanded.

What do you bring?

Experience

• At least 5 years of experience in internal audit, external audit or a closely related control, risk or governance role.

• Experience in financial services, banking, payments or a regulated fintech environment.

• Proven experience conducting risk-based audits from planning through to reporting and follow-up.

• Experience auditing non-IT business processes and control frameworks.

• Experience with AML, financial crime or regulatory compliance topics is a strong asset.

• Previous responsibility for an internal audit function or a similar independent control function is a plus.

• Experience presenting audit findings to senior management, an Executive Committee or a Board is highly valued.

Must-have skills

• Fully autonomous and self-directed, with the ability to own the audit agenda and deliver without requiring a large team.

• Comfortable working independently and managing a broad scope across multiple business functions and geographies.

• Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, structured and impactful audit reports in English.

• Confident presentation skills and the credibility to present findings in high-stakes governance settings.

• Proactive and transparent: you flag issues early, communicate openly and do not avoid difficult topics.

• Highly organised and rigorous, with strong follow-through on commitments and audit recommendations.

• Critical and analytical mindset, with the ability to investigate documents and data, ask the right questions and form well-grounded conclusions.

• Fluent in English.

• French or Dutch is strongly preferred.

Nice to have

• CIA certification or a genuine willingness to obtain it.

• Experience in a fast-growing start-up or scale-up environment.

• Familiarity with the National Bank of Belgium’s regulatory expectations.

• Experience in AML, financial crime, compliance monitoring or operational risk.

• Experience working in an international, multi-entity organisation.

• Knowledge of internal audit standards and risk-based audit methodologies.

What do we offer?

Location: Paris or Brussels
Contract: Permanent contract — CDI
Compensation: €70,000–€80,000 gross annual compensation

Contract and benefits

France

• Swile meal card

• AXA health insurance

• 50% commuter benefit reimbursement

• RTT — additional paid days off

• Gymlib (Wellpass) subscription

Belgium

• 100% public transport reimbursement

• Meal vouchers — €6.91 per working day

• Eco-vouchers — €250 per year

• Health insurance

• Pension plan

• Phone subscription

• Monthly allowance

• Gym pass

Why this is a great opportunity

• Report directly to Sonia Boudier, Deputy CEO, with high visibility at Executive Committee and Board level.

• Lead and further develop the Internal Audit function in a growing European fintech.

• Benefit from a broad scope covering governance, risk management, internal controls and regulatory compliance.

• Work across multiple countries and business functions.

• Enjoy a fast-learning environment with direct exposure to senior stakeholders.

• Have a genuine opportunity to shape the maturity and impact of Internal Audit at iBanFirst.

• Join a profitable and fast-growing company at an important stage of its international development.

Recruitment Process

1. Screening call with Malorie Petitjean (Talent Acquisition Specialist)

— 30 minutes – remote via video

— Purpose: General fit, motivation, relevant experience, salary expectations and availability.

2. In-depth interview with Sonia Boudier (Deputy CEO & Hiring Manager)

— 1 hour – in person in Paris or remote

— Purpose: Relevant audit experience, autonomy, stakeholder management, understanding of the role and alignment with iBanFirst’s governance and control priorities.

3. Final round with one or two Executive Committee members

— 45 minutes – in person in Paris or Brussels or remote

— Purpose: Senior stakeholder validation, communication and presentation skills, cultural fit and long-term potential.