Director, Finance Internal Controls Testing

Job Summary

The Internal Controls Testing-Finance Director role is responsible for the development and delivery of company business and financial internal controls testing plan and strategy for the company and its entities. This highly motivated leader provides independent and reasonable assurance on the effectiveness of managements financial internal controls over financial reporting across company lines of business.

Essential Job Functions

• Researches and assesses finance and business deficiencies identified and works with management to identify an appropriate solution.
• Follows-up on remediation activities to verify appropriate resolution.
• Fosters a continuous focus on innovation, application of advanced data analytics, tools, techniques, and emerging technologies within the testing group and the company.
• Contributes to continuous improvement initiatives of finance internal controls testing team.
• Directs and delivers on finance related special projects requested by audit committees and executive management, strategic initiatives, investigations, and other confidential assignments.
• Develops a comprehensive annual finance control testing strategy and plans and oversees testing delivery which is supported by a data analytics discipline.
• Develops testing schedule and partners with leadership to build and implement risk-based control testing plans. This includes coordination with assurance providers, group controls testing team, and external auditors.
• Contributes to and executes on the development of the strategy, vision, and direction of the finance internal controls testing group.
• Partners with key stakeholders to ensure finance control testing strategies and services are aligned and support company strategy across all lines of business.
• Builds and maintains on-going relationships with leadership to ensure finance internal controls testing team addresses organizational needs. Directs and approves the overall risk assessment, scoping, and materiality for in scope entities.
• Directs and administers financial control testing related activities in accordance with industrys relevant professional standards.
• Allocates resources and oversees all testing and validation activities over the design and operating effectiveness of all in-scope financial controls. Responsible for ensuring financial control testing objectives are met.
• Reports out all financial controls testing results to local CFOs, finance leadership, appropriate governance committees and external auditors.
• Leads the finance internal controls testing team by setting individual objectives, reviewing performance, and providing continuous coaching and feedback relating to individual and departmental objectives.
• Coordinates and leads teams members on various projects and provides strategic direction to team members.
• Sets clear goals and priorities for team, assesses talent, and manages performance expectations.
• Oversees and manages continuous process improvement and fosters customer centricity focus.
• Promotes and drives collaboration within and across groups.
• Serves as financial internal control expert on various governance/oversight committees and working groups to ensure financial risks facing the companies are effectively managed.
• Assists and presents to other appropriate committees on financial controls as required. Performs other job duties as assigned.

Experience Requirements

• Minimum of 10 years years proven SOX or audit leadership experience required.
• Extensive practical experience with managing complex SOX/Audits is preferred.
• Prior role within Big-4 / internal audit or controls function leading SOX program is preferred.
• P&C insurance or external audit experience preferred.
• Extensive business transformation and change management experience preferred. 

Education Requirements

• Bachelors degree in Management Information Systems, Finance, Accounting, or Business Administration is required.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Information Systems Auditor is required.

Physical Actions

This role, whether performed virtually or in an office setting, will include normal and customary distractions, noise, and interruptions. Sits or stands for extended periods of time, up to a full work shift. Occasionally reaches overhead and below the knees, including bending, twisting, pulling, and stooping. Occasionally moves, lifts, carries, and places objects and supplies weighing 0-10 pounds without assistance. Listens to, interprets, and differentiates auditory information (example others speaking) at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Visually verifies and reads information. Visually locates material, resources and other objects. Ability to continuously operate a computer for extended periods of time, up to a full work shift. Physical dexterity sufficient to use hands, arms, and shoulders repetitively to operate keyboard and other office equipment up to a full work shift.