AUDITOR/INVESTIGATOR at North Carolina Real Estate Commission in Raleigh, North Carolina

Job Description:

AUDITOR/INVESTIGATOR
General Statement of Duties
Performs difficult and responsible work auditing and inspecting records of licensed real estate 
brokers showing the deposit, maintenance, and withdrawal of money or other property owned by such 
broker's principals or held in escrow or trust for such principals. Investigates cases related to the 
improper conduct of real estate brokers, registered time share personnel, and unlicensed brokerage 
activity.
Distinguishing Features of the Class
An employee in this class performs work auditing and inspecting specific accounting records 
and procedures to ensure compliance with those provisions of the Real Estate License Law and 
Commission rules relating to the handling and accounting of funds received by a real estate broker 
acting in said capacity, or as escrow agent or temporary custodian of the funds of others in a real 
estate transaction. Work also involves the investigation of cases relating to unlicensed real estate 
brokerage activity and improper conduct by licensed real estate brokers and registered timeshare 
project personnel in real estate transactions. Audits may result in financial adjustments by the 
audited broker to the accounts audited; to significant changes in the audited broker's accounting 
procedures and records; or to disciplinary action against the audited broker by the North Carolina 
Real Estate Commission. Work is performed independently and reviewed by the Director of 
Regulatory Affairs or his or her designee. Work is evaluated by the Director of Regulatory Affairs and is 
based on the accuracy, completeness and timeliness of audit and investigation reports.
Duties and Responsibilities
Essential Duties and Tasks
Conducts audits of real estate brokerage trust accounts and inspecting real estate brokerage 
trust account records on a statewide basis whenever the Real Estate Commission determines that 
such records are pertinent to the investigation of a specific complaint against a licensed real estate 
broker or registered time share project.
Conducts spot audits to verify trust account balances, accuracy of source documents versus 
book records, procedures of accounting and reporting, and program compliance.
Investigates financial fraud (including loan fraud), misrepresentations, improper handling of 
client funds, and similar improper conduct to collect information to substantiate and verify evidence.
Investigates alleged unlicensed activity relating to real estate transactions and cooperates 
with other state and federal agencies which offer consumer protection.
Presents the results of investigations to the Director of Regulatory Affairs or his or her designee 
for presentation to the Commission for probable cause determination.
Attends administrative and judicial hearings when necessary to testify as to the findings of a 
specific trust account audit and/or investigation and to offer testimony regarding the requirements of 
the North Carolina Real Estate License Law and Commission rules.
Assists in serving subpoenas, instructing courses and conducting workshops, clinics, 
seminars, conferences and other education and information programs relating to the real estate 
brokerage business.
Assists with answering calls on a rotating basis from licensees, attorneys, sellers, buyers 
and the general public; listens, analyzes and asks questions to determine the actual issue or 
question in order to provide an accurate response.
Auditor/Investigator
Page 2 
Additional Job Duties 
Performs related duties as required.
Recruitment and Selection Guidelines
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 
Thorough knowledge of the North Carolina Real Estate License Law and Commission rules.
General knowledge of accounting, bookkeeping, and auditing principles, and of the laws and 
rules relating to the proper handling and accounting of trust funds by licensed real estate brokers and 
registered time share projects.
Working knowledge of modern criminal detection techniques including interviewing skills and 
the gathering and preserving of evidence.
Working knowledge of real estate accounting software.
Ability to make routine journal entries, reversing entries and correcting entries; to analyze and 
correct journal and ledger entries; to verify posted transactions; and to reconstruct accounts from 
unorganized and incomplete data.
Ability to deal effectively with people upon short acquaintance and to communicate 
effectively both orally and in writing.
Ability to prepare comprehensive and factual reports of audits and investigations, utilizing 
current office technology.
Ability to recognize, collect and evaluate different types of evidence necessary in prosecuting 
violators.
Ability to establish and maintain favorable working relationships with real estate consumers 
and industry representatives.
Physical Requirements 
Must be able to perform the physical life functions of reaching, typing, grasping, talking, 
hearing, and repetitive motions.
Must be able to perform light work exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally; and/or up 
to 10 pounds of force frequently and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
Must possess visual acuity necessary to prepare and analyze data and figures, operate a 
computer terminal and a motor vehicle, and do extensive review of written records.
Travel Requirements 
Must be able to travel statewide to conduct audits and interviews. Some travel out of state, 
including overnight travel, may be required for training or other purposes.
Desirable Education and Experience 
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a major in accounting or business 
administration and some accounting or auditing experience combined with some experience in law 
enforcement or investigative work, and/or real estate brokerage experience, or an equivalent 
combination of education and experience.
Special Requirement
Licensure as a real estate broker within six (6) months of employment.
Possession of a valid North Carolina Driver’s License with no restrictions.
NC Re