What does Inspection Générale entail at a major group like BNP Paribas?
Inspection Générale is one of the bank’s internal control mechanisms. Its purpose is straight forward—to ensure proper control of risk and compliance with regulations. At BNP Paribas, Inspection Générale comprises 1,100 auditors and 200 inspecteurs worldwide. Unlike auditors, who specialize in a region or theme, inspecteurs play a more cross-disciplinary role. We cover all the major businesses and regions.
How is it different from advising?
The end goal is different. The goal of advising is to improve economic performance for a customer, while Inspection Générale aims to ensure the security and smooth operation of all processes. Nevertheless, it is true that the two businesses share a similar methodology. Both adopt an external point of view in order to analyze an activity and offer recommendations for improvement.
What is your specific role?
The Group’s Inspecteurs are spread across different functions (generalists, IT, finance, financial security, markets & models). I am part of the generalist branch, so I can work on all types of issues, whether they relate to insurance, retail banking, trading, etc. This means I work on a wide variety of assignments. On a day-to-day basis, my role consists of applying audit methodology across the perimeter of my assignment, while guiding the work of junior inspecteurs. Needless to say, I’m never bored.
I am part of the generalist branch, so I can work on all types of issues. This means I work on a wide variety of assignments.
What is your first step when you start a new assignment?
At the start of a new assignment, we receive a roadmap indicating the assignment topic and the team members. The first thing I do is contact the other team members. I really enjoy meeting and working with so many different employees. It’s one of the most rewarding aspects of my job.
You come from a background in retail banking. How did the transition change things for you?
we carry out our activities within a highly dynamic environment, with weekly deadlines and a new assignment every three months. I think it’s very exciting!
I’m also exposed to a new work rhythm—we carry out our activities within a highly dynamic environment, with weekly deadlines and a new assignment every three months. Personally, I think it’s very exciting!
Do you spend a lot of time traveling?
Yes—my perimeter is global, so I travel frequently. To give you an idea, we carry out an average of three assignments per year, often in a different geographic region—near (in France), semi-far (Europe), and far (outside Europe). In just two years, I have worked on assignments in Dubai, Madrid, San Francisco, and Mumbai. I am currently working on a trading mission in Switzerland.
Who do you think is right for this job?
Inspection Générale is committed to recruiting people from various backgrounds. Within the department, some people come from consulting firms, others completed a corporate volunteering assignment or, as in my case, held one or more previous jobs within the Group. There are no specific criteria, but I would say that this job is best suited to people with a few years of experience who are looking for new challenges. In my opinion, a stint with Inspection Générale is the perfect way to boost your career.
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