Who Is Audit Link?

Audit Link is your execution arm for tackling auditing and compliance-related requirements and the supporting core system processes driving your operations. Credit Unions that work with Audit Link gain confidence knowing they have implemented effective procedures and controls to be in compliance with regulatory requirements.

Jim Vilker, NCCO

Since joining the credit union industry in 1985, Jim Vilker has been a strong advocate of managing and educating staff in compliance and audit functions. He launched his career as an examiner where he gained knowledge and depth of insight into regulatory compliance requirements of credit unions. Jim studied a broad scope of business and operational procedures leading to a deep understanding of best practices significant to credit union audit activities.
Over the next eight years Jim was actively entrenched in the business as Executive Vice President of a credit union. Jim has earned his NCCO certification through specialization in the field of auditing and compliance. His software product of choice serving as the compliance and auditing tool, was the forerunner of the current CU*BASE.
Jim’s tenure at CU*Answers began in 1998 where hisknowledge and skills were immediately recognized asthe CUSO’s resident advisor on regulatory complianceand audit functions. Jim has been instrumental indeveloping the strategic Audit Link business, educatingclients through an online Advisor newsletter anddesigning premier training plans for clients of AuditLink and internal staff of CU*Answers’ credit unions.His experience in working with clients and CU*BASEtools uniquely qualifies him to write and instruct in themonitoring of regulated activities.

Joe Spenski, Audit Associate

Joe Spenski is an Audit Associate for Audit Link and a regular contributor to advisor.cuanswers.com. Joe’s degree in Business Administration coupled with his experience as an Assistant Manager at a credit union have equipped him for success in his current role. He built his skill in CU*BASE during his tenure in theClient Services area of CU*Answers, learning how configurations affect the transactional processing andoperation of the software.

Joe’s scrupulous attention to detail, with his natural ability to monitor and detect inconsistencies in data, forms the foundation of his auditing responsibilities. His aptitude for problem solving and capacity for communicating on diverse topics allow him to effectively investigate account activities related to BSA rules, dormant accounts, file maintenance, and advise on SAR & CTR forms. Joe was instrumental in the development of periodic run sheets critical to the work of an effective auditor. Passionate about the audit function, Joe is actively pursuing a BSA certification and also ACH Accredited Professional (AAP) certification.

Patrick Sickels, Internal Auditor

Patrick Sickels began his career as an attorney, and quickly branched out into the technological services industry, where he used his legal skills to help companies manage their compliance requirements. Patrick used these skills to develop into a classically trained auditor and risk manager. At CU*Answers, Patrick’s background of law and technology make him uniquely suited to assist credit union clients in managing their risk requirements with a minimum of cost.

Patrick is a licensed Certification Information Systems Auditor (CISA), and is pursuing the Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) designation. Patrick has done extensive work in designing risk models and control frameworks for a vast array of commercial, manufacturing, and financial firms. Patrick’s specialty is the design of compliance models which meet legal standards at the lowest possible cost for the organization.