Office of the Chief Operating Officer
Internal Audit
The mission of Internal Audit is to provide independent, objective assurance and consulting services design to add value and improve university operations. Internal Audit helps the university accomplish its objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of risk management, control and governance processes.
Director of Internal Audit
Jim Grimes
Jim Grimes has recently joined Tulane to lead the Internal Audit department. He is a seasoned audit and compliance professional with over 20 years of experience in executing and leading internal audit functions, providing process improvement consulting, strategic finance support, internal audit execution, risk assessment reviews, compliance support, and fraud risk assessment and investigations.
Jim has held prominent roles managing Internal Audit departments at publicly traded companies, including serving as Director of Internal Audit at Rapid7, Inc. and as Corporate Vice President and Chief Audit Executive at SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment. As a Partner at RubinBrown, LLP, Jim advised a diverse range of clients on internal control initiatives, process improvement, and risk management efforts. He also served as International Operations and Control Manager at Anheuser-Busch, Incorporated, where he enhanced risk management and internal controls across international operations. Jim has a proven track record of identifying internal control gaps, refining operational and financial processes, and driving compliance with standards. He is passionate about empowering and inspiring his teams to unlock their potential, fostering a culture of ethics and compliance, enhancing efficiency and risk management, and collaborating across functions and levels of the organization.
Jim holds an MBA from Fontbonne University, a BS degree from the University of Missouri-St. Louis, and certifications as a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE). He has also completed the COSO (Committee of Sponsoring Organizations) Internal Control Certificate Program. His dedication to the field is further demonstrated by his leadership roles as a Founding Board Member and three-time Past President of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) in St. Louis, Missouri. Additionally, he was an Adjunct Professor in the Forensics Accounting Program at Webster University and a Guest Lecturer in the Master of Accounting Program at the University of Missouri-Columbia.
