This news item expired on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 so the information below could be outdated or incorrect.
Buncombe County is kicking off the New Year with the introduction of a new Internal Auditor. On Jan. 4, the Board of Commissioners approved hiring Dan Keister after a nationwide search to fill the vacancy. With more than 13 years of experience, Keister brings significant knowledge of internal and external audit best practices. “I viewed the position as a unique opportunity to provide Buncombe County with a world-class audit program that provides operational assurance as well as opportunities for identifying and implementing process improvement and efficiency,” explains Keister.
Originally from Maryland, Keister comes to Buncombe County by way of Charlotte. As a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), he has familiarity working with government agencies and Fortune 500 companies. “I intend to establish an Internal Audit department aimed to provide independent, objective assurance and consulting services designed to add value and improve County operations,” says Keister. “Through the course of audit work, the department will strive to enhance and protect organizational value by providing risk-based and objective assurance, advice, and insight. The Internal Audit department will accomplish its objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of governance, risk management, and control processes throughout Buncombe County.”
The County’s Audit Committee played a central role in interviewing candidates for this position. “[Keister]’s expertise in internal auditing was clearly evident during the interview process, but I was particularly impressed with his ability to communicate concepts that were tailored to the different audiences he spoke with,” notes Audit Committee Chair Kendra Ferguson. “That is such an important trait for an effective Internal Audit Director that interacts with such a wide variety of people on a daily basis. I think he will be a great fit for Buncombe County not only due to his high level of experience but also because of his ability to build and lead an effective team.”
Keister is slated to start Jan. 10.
Dan Keister’s professional biography
Dan Keister, CISA, is an experienced Executive Audit Leader with over 13 years of experience working as both an internal and external audit resource in industries ranging from Fortune 500 companies to federal and state agencies. He has experience and is skilled in business process, enterprise risk management, IT risk assessments, IT controls, system implementation reviews, IT security reviews, disaster recovery, and business continuity reviews. Dan is a member of the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), and is a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA). Additionally, he holds a B.S. focused in Information Systems from the University of Maryland, College Park.