Internal Controls Analyst, Consumer EMEA

Sonoco; Manchester; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Sonoco in Manchester, United Kingdom, is seeking an Internal Controls professional to support SOX compliance and financial governance. You will perform risk assessments, test SOX controls, and prepare narrative process walkthroughs for Consumer EMEA.

You will write reports on findings, drive remediation, and coordinate with both internal and external auditors. A balance sheet review focus, policy drafting, and travel across EMEA are included in this role.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or related field.
• 3-4 years of experience with US GAAP and SOX.
• Experience in internal control testing and a manufacturing context is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform risk assessment activities, including narrative preparation and process walkthroughs.
• Perform testing of SOX controls.
• Help the Head of Internal Controls communicate SOX requirements across Consumer EMEA.
• Write reports on SOX findings and discuss remediation with management.
• Track timely remediation of controls and improve control processes.
• Collaborate with process owners to identify solutions and strengthen controls.
• Participate in Internal Audits as a guest auditor.
• Coordinate with internal and external auditors and provide evidence timely.
• Conduct periodic balance sheet reviews at plant and legal entity level.
• Assist in drafting and rollout of finance policies.
• Willingness to travel across EMEA (approx. 30%).

Skills

SOX testing

Risk assessment

Audit coordination

US GAAP

Financial reporting

Attention to detail

Communication

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

CPA or CIA (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Primary Responsibilities

• Performing risk assessment activities, including narrative preparation and process walkthroughs.
• Performing testing of SOX controls.
• Help the Head of Internal Controls to ensure good communication of SOX requirements throughout Consumer EMEA.
• Writing reports on SOX findings and discussing with management the results and recommendations for remediation and/or improvement.
• Tracking timely remediation of controls.
• Working with business process leaders and control owners to identify solutions to solve problems, improve work processes and strengthen controls.
• Participating in Internal Audits as a guest auditor.
• Coordinating and collaborating regularly with both the internal and external auditors ensuring they receive all evidence in a timely manner.

SOX

• Performing risk assessment activities, including narrative preparation and process walkthroughs.
• Performing testing of SOX controls.
• Help the Head of Internal Controls to ensure good communication of SOX requirements throughout Consumer EMEA.
• Writing reports on SOX findings and discussing with management the results and recommendations for remediation and/or improvement.
• Tracking timely remediation of controls.
• Working with business process leaders and control owners to identify solutions to solve problems, improve work processes and strengthen controls.
• Participating in Internal Audits as a guest auditor.
• Coordinating and collaborating regularly with both the internal and external auditors ensuring they receive all evidence in a timely manner.

Balance Sheet Reviews

• Conduct periodic balance sheet reviews at plant and legal entity level.
• Identify inconsistencies, policy deviations or weak control practices
• Prepare clear written reports with findings, root causes, and recommended actions.

Policy drafting and rollout

• Assist in drafting and maintaining finance and accounting policies.
• Support communication, training, and rollout of new or updated policies.

Expected travel frequency across EMEA: 30%.

KPIs

• Reduction in control deficiencies and repeat findings
• Timely completion of SOX testing and documentation
• Quality and consistency of balance sheet reviews
• Adoption and compliance with finance policies
• Effectiveness of remediation plans
• Audit feedback (internal and external)

Technical

• experience with Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 (SOX) regulations and prior experience performing SOX Audits is required.
• Good knowledge of US GAAP

Analytical

• Root-cause analysis
• Attention to detail

Operational

• Plant accounting understanding
• Pragmatic problem solving

Communication

• Clear report writing
• Influencing

Independence

• Works autonomously, professional judgment, integrity

Willingness to travel across EMEA.

Education Required

• Bachelor degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or related field

Education Preferred

• CPA, CIA is highly recommended but not required

Experience

• 3-4 years of experience obtained through a mix of public accounting and/or industry experience
• demonstrated knowledge of US GAAP and SOX
• experience of internal control testing
• proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
• experience working in a manufacturing environment is preferred.

LI-FC1

We are an equal opportunity employer, and we strictly prohibit and do not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any legally protected characteristic.