Quality Assurance plays a vital role across all mortgage products, services, and activities. Effective management of compliance risk is a fundamental element of regulatory risk oversight. The Quality Assurance department within EML functions as a second line of defense, performing independent and objective reviews of business processes, functions, and departments to determine the effectiveness of internal controls in managing compliance and procedural risks.
A QA Analyst primarily conducts detailed audits of loan files to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with internal policies, regulations, and investor guidelines. Responsibilities include performing pre- and post-closing audits, identifying and reporting defects or discrepancies, documenting trends, and collaborating with management to implement corrective actions and process improvements across departments.
This position will be in-office in one of our locations in TX, CO, or AZ.
Core responsibilities:
- Conduct audits: Perform advanced reviews of mortgage loans.
- Review loan documentation: Independently analyze loan file components, including but not limited to credit reports, appraisals, title policies, and disclosures.
- Ensure compliance: Verify that loan files and processes adhere to federal, state, and investor regulatory guidelines as well as internal policies and procedures.
- Identify and report issues: Document and report errors, discrepancies, and potential risks in loan files or workflows.
- Collaborate on corrective actions: Partner with management to develop and implement action plans for identified issues.
- Document quality data: Prepare reports for management and document trends and error rates.
- Maintain expertise: Stay current with i-achieve assignments, EML process changes, and emerging QA requirements to serve as a subject matter expert.
Key activities and skills:
- Collaborate with teams: Participate in meetings, training, and feedback sessions. Demonstrate strong teamwork ethics and work respectfully with production, processing, underwriting, and compliance teams.
- Generate reports: Prepare daily, weekly, and monthly reports summarizing findings and metrics.
- Manage workflow: Balance multiple priorities and meet deadlines while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
- Utilize systems: Use loan origination systems and other tools to input data, perform audits, and document results.
- Use AI-powered tolls to streamline workflows and reporting.
Qualifications:
A successful QA Analyst will have a strong understanding of mortgage lending processes, including regulations and guidelines from FHA, VA, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac.
Key qualifications include:
- Minimum 2+ years of experience in mortgage quality assurance, loan processing, or underwriting.
- Strong attention to detail with analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Proficiency in loan origination software and Microsoft Office (Excel required).
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills for reporting findings and collaborating with teams.
Education and experience:
- Experience: At least 2 years of experience in mortgage quality assurance preferred; prior loan processing and/or underwriting experience may substitute.
Technical and regulatory knowledge:
- Mortgage process: Deep understanding of the end-to-end mortgage lending process from origination through servicing.
- Guidelines and regulations: Familiarity with agency guidelines (FHA, VA, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac) and federal/state regulations such as RESPA, TILA, Reg B, Reg Z, and HMDA.
- Software: Proficiency in Encompass E360 and Microsoft Office Suite; Excel proficiency is required.
- Loan calculations: Ability to perform complex calculations such as debt-to-income (DTI) and loan-to-value (LTV) ratios preferred.
Skills and abilities:
- Attention to detail: Exceptional accuracy and thoroughness when reviewing documentation.
- Analytical mindset: Ability to interpret data, identify risks, and detect potential fraud.
- Systems thinking: Understand how one error can impact related processes or outcomes.
- Communication: Strong written and verbal communication to convey findings clearly.
- Problem-solving: Proactive approach to identifying and resolving issues efficiently.
- Time management: Strong organizational skills to manage multiple audits in a fast-paced environment.
- Teamwork: Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams.