Wilmington Trust has appointed James Naber - latterly of the New York-based professional services firm Accume Partners - as chief audit executive.

At Accume Naber was banking practice leader and managing director of the firm’s New England region – a role in which he launched the firm’s Boston office and built a practice advising local banks on issues such as internal audit, regulatory compliance, corporate governance and risk management.

His prior career also includes periods as a partner in charge of the financial services practice at RSM McGladrey in New York and as the national tax partner in charge of the state and local tax practice at KPMG in New York and Boston.

In his new role Naber is responsible for reviewing the efficacy of Wilmington Trust’s internal controls, managing the internal audit department, executing internal audit engagements, and reporting findings. He will report to the board of directors’ audit committee in order to ensure that audit activities are carried out independently, the firm said in a statement.

“With extensive experience encompassing the full range of activities of our businesses, Jim is well suited to take on the critical role of chief audit executive at Wilmington Trust,” said Donald Foley, the firm's chairman and chief executive.

“His hiring reflects the company’s commitment to understanding our risks fully and the need to vet our financial and operating procedures with a strong, independent voice.”

In a related recent hire, back in August the firm appointed Carol Baldwin Moody as senior vice president and chief risk officer to head a newly-centralized Enterprise Risk Management Division.