Controls Testing Manager

St. James's Place; Cirencester; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave 28 days

Private Medical Insurance

Generous pension

Enhanced Parental Leave

Life insurance & income protection

EV salary sacrifice (Tusker)

Job summary

St. James's Place is seeking a Controls Testing Manager to strengthen our internal controls framework within CFO.

You’ll lead day-to-day controls testing delivery, partnering with control owners and senior stakeholders to drive robust governance and actionable improvements. In this hybrid Cirencester role, you’ll develop annual testing plans, coach testers, and ensure effective documentation and attestation of controls.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant (ACCA or ACA) with strong external financial reporting knowledge.
• Proven ability to engage, influence, and provide practical guidance to stakeholders across Finance and wider business teams.
• Experience within financial services.
• Awareness of automation tools or techniques to enhance controls and improve testing efficiency.
• Experience in testing financial reporting controls.
• Strong understanding of controls frameworks, governance, and standard testing methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Leading and managing the day-to-day delivery of controls testing, including reviewing work completed by testers and delivering complex testing yourself
• Developing the annual controls testing plan and tracking/reporting progress to key stakeholders
• Communicating testing outcomes clearly, providing actionable recommendations to strengthen control weaknesses
• Partnering with control owners and project teams to maintain and enhance the controls framework as processes evolve
• Identifying and implementing efficiencies in the controls testing approach to reduce effort and improve effectiveness
• Providing coaching and support to controls testers, ensuring consistent quality and delivery
• Supporting the documentation and attestation of controls effectiveness in collaboration with the Financial Controls Lead
• Contributing to the ongoing development and maintenance of the internal controls framework

Skills

Controls knowledge

Stakeholder engagement

Risk management

Leadership

Education

ACCA/ACA

Tools

Automation tools

Testing methodologies

Governance frameworks

Job description

Are you ready to chart your own career path? With our refreshed strategy, we’re building on our rich heritage and transforming our business to be more scalable and efficient, unlocking the capabilities needed for future success. This includes significantly investing in technology, streamlining the way we work and creating an environment where colleagues feel engaged, empowered and accountable; where they can show up, speak up and perform - because we believe in the difference our work makes.

At a glance:

Location: Cirencester Office

Workplace Type: Hybrid

Employment Type: Permanent

Seniority: Mid-Senior Level

About The Role

We’re looking for a Controls Testing Manager to play a key role in strengthening and maintaining our internal controls framework in CFO. Working closely with the Head of Financial Controls and wider Finance teams, you’ll lead the day-to-day delivery of controls testing, ensuring robust governance and providing confidence to senior stakeholders and Board Committees. No previous controls testing experience is required to apply, but you must be willing to learn and have an understanding of how controls work to manage risk in a Finance function.

In this role, you’ll not only assess and test key controls, but also partner with control owners to identify opportunities for improvement, enhance efficiency, and ensure controls evolve alongside business and process changes. This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys combining technical expertise with stakeholder engagement to drive real impact.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Leading and managing the day-to-day delivery of controls testing, including reviewing work completed by testers and delivering complex testing yourself
• Developing the annual controls testing plan and tracking/reporting progress to key stakeholders
• Communicating testing outcomes clearly, providing actionable recommendations to strengthen control weaknesses
• Partnering with control owners and project teams to maintain and enhance the controls framework as processes evolve
• Identifying and implementing efficiencies in the controls testing approach to reduce effort and improve effectiveness
• Providing coaching and support to controls testers, ensuring consistent quality and delivery
• Supporting the documentation and attestation of controls effectiveness in collaboration with the Financial Controls Lead
• Contributing to the ongoing development and maintenance of the internal controls framework

Who We’re Looking For

We’re seeking a self-motivated and proactive individual who combines strong controls knowledge with the ability to influence and partner with stakeholders. You’ll be confident working independently, comfortable engaging with senior leaders, and able to translate complex control requirements into practical, real-world solutions. A collaborative mindset and a passion for driving continuous improvement will be key to success in this role.

Essential Criteria

• Qualified accountant (ACCA or ACA) with strong external financial reporting knowledge
• Proven ability to engage, influence, and provide practical guidance to stakeholders across Finance and wider business teams

Desirable Criteria

• Experience within financial services
• Awareness of automation tools or techniques to enhance controls and improve testing efficiency
• Experience in testing financial reporting controls
• Strong understanding of controls frameworks, governance, and standard testing methodologies

What’s in it for you?

Whatever stage of life you're in, our benefits are designed to provide the support, flexibility, and peace of mind you need to thrive both at work and beyond.

In addition to our discretionary annual bonus scheme, which reflects both individual and company performance, you’ll benefit from a market-leading benefits package tailored to support your wellbeing, financial security, and family life.

Our benefits include:

• 28 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase up to 5 additional days.
• Private Medical Insurance – company-funded cover for you and your immediate family
• Generous Pension Scheme – a non-contributory employer contribution of 10%, increasing with length of service up to 15%, plus the opportunity to increase this through salary sacrifice
• Enhanced Parental Leave – up to 26 weeks' full pay to support growing families.
• Protection Benefits – company-funded critical illness cover, income protection, and life assurance
• EV salary sacrifice scheme through Tusker

Reasonable Adjustments

We’re an equal opportunities employer and want to ensure our recruitment process is accessible and inclusive for all, if you require reasonable adjustment(s) at any stage please let us know by emailing us at [e-mail]

Research tells us that applicants (especially those from underrepresented groups) can be put off from applying for a role if they do not meet all the criteria or have been on an extended career-break. If you think you would be a good match for this role and can demonstrate some transferable experience please apply, regardless of whether you tick every box.

What’s next?

If you’re excited about this role and believe you have the skills and experience we’re looking for, we’d love to hear from you!

As a business regulated by the FCA we would advise you to familiarise yourself with the conduct regulations and in particular consumer duty obligations prior to an interview with SJP.