Ethan Bickford

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT ETHAN BICKFORD

As Director of Internal Audit at Tulane University, Ethan serves as the chief internal auditor, leading the university\'s comprehensive internal audit function and providing independent, objective assurance and consulting services to enhance operations and establish a strong internal control environment. He develops and executes risk-based audit plans across all university schools and departments, while serving as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and the Audit Committee on strategic risk management and governance matters. With expertise spanning operational, financial, and compliance auditing in many industries, Ethan specializes in managing complex, enterprise-wide audit engagements across diverse functions. He coordinates cross-functional teams of subject matter experts across technical domains including IT, data analytics, financial systems, and regulatory compliance, ensuring comprehensive audit coverage. Ethan\'s experience encompasses traditional internal audit services, enterprise risk assessments, compliance reviews, and specialized advisory projects tailored to the unique challenges of higher education institutions. He is particularly noted for his ability to integrate data analytics, control framework development, and strategic risk management approaches to deliver actionable insights to university leadership and governance bodies. His work focuses on optimizing internal audit functions with emphasis on managing complex operations, services, and regulatory requirements. As an audit leader, Ethan manages departmental budgets, coordinates with external auditors during annual financial statement examinations, and ensures effective internal controls and compliance with relevant regulations. He regularly provides thought leadership on internal audit value proposition and strategic risk management approaches. Building on his consulting background from RSM, where he specialized in internal audit leadership for TMT and industrial clients, Ethan brings a comprehensive perspective on risk management and internal controls.