Internal Controls Manager

1.0 CORPORATE REQUIREMENTS JOB TITLE: Internal Controls Manager REPORTING TO: Head of External Reporting LOCATION: Chiswick or Liverpool 1.1 ROLE SUMMARY This role and is responsible for ensuring the Group''s internal control framework over financial reporting complies with COSO and the Sarbanes Oxley Act and with the Group''s directives, policies, and procedures. This role will work with internal stakeholders to manage and develop the internal control framework relevant to financial reporting and assess their effectiveness as well as establishing whether proper controls exist over the master data used in financial reporting. This role will also lead the SOX self-certification process on behalf of management and lead the expediting of remediation activities and appraise their effectiveness. This role will manage the Internal Controls Advisor and report directly to the Head of External Reporting. 1.2 JOB SPECIFIC The Internal Controls Manager will: Ensure that the directives, procedures, and policies being practiced surrounding financial reporting comply with applicable laws and regulations (COSO, Sarbanes Oxley Act, Governance codes, etc.). Run the annual risk assessment for financial reporting processes and identify internal controls, including developing a good balance of preventive and detective controls, that mitigate financial reporting risks as well as fraud risks. Assist management to ensure that the design and implementation of internal controls over financial reporting follow the requirements of PCAOB standards and the Sarbanes Oxley (SOX) Act. Continuously improve and refine the effectiveness of the company''s SOX control framework. Coach teams responsible for internal controls over financial reporting, including performing testing of transactions to help them to understand what is required and their responsibilities to follow the Group''s directives, policies, and procedures and to maintain a satisfactory SOX compliant internal controls framework. Collaborate with all SOX stakeholders (i.e., External Auditors, Finance, Supply Chain, HR, Payroll, IT, and other teams across the Company) in connection with execution of SOX assessments, testing and remediation activities. Review and analyze the issues and deficiencies reported by management or the External auditors; facilitate the remediation of control gaps, deficiencies, and escalate critical issues to the senior management and global process owners of the Company. Perform quality reviews on performance and documentation of certain SOX controls implemented to give some assurance on reliability of RACT data. Lead the Management Certification process across the control owners and process owners and prepare reports on the status of the internal controls to the Senior Vice Presidents and CFO and CEO. Identify and help to resolve conflict of interest or lack of segregation of duties across the Group''s ERP systems. Provide status updates for Executive Management and the audit & risk committee on the internal control environment, progress of remediation actions and the development of the internal control framework. 1.3 QUALIFICATIONS Education/Qualifications: Bachelor / Masters level degree desirable.ACCA/ACA/CIA/CPA qualification. 1.4 SKILL REQUIREMENTS This role would suit someone with knowledge and experience of Sarbanes-Oxley requirements for US listed companies, either gained from previous internal controls work in industry or within a public accounting firm. Required knowledge: Experience and knowledge of US Corporate Governance rules, auditing principles, PCAOB standards, and Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) requirements. Understanding of internal controls, compliance & risk assessments, and process improvements. Experience required: Experience within an internal controls team, commercial compliance team, or SOX team within a public accounting firm is desirable. Skills/abilities: Professional communication and confident presentation skills (both verbal and written). Demonstrate a high level of accountability. Effective at maintaining relationships, proactive in "building bridges" across functions and processes by maintaining dialogue to discuss "silo" risks. Comfortable to work in an environment of change, good planning and organisational skills to balance and prioritise work. Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, strong computer and business solutions and accounting software skills, ability to identify and understand the root causes of issues and capable to advise on appropriate resolution. Willingness to travel including international engagements. Manage and communicate with a multi-location finance team.

Created: 2021-11-29