Internal Controls & Governance Manager

Argus Media group; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary & bonus

Group pension scheme

Healthcare & life assurance

Flexible working

25 days holiday (30 with increase)

Job summary

Argus Media is seeking an experienced Internal Controls & Governance Manager to join the Finance team in a newly created role in London. This hands-on position offers significant autonomy and the chance to shape how controls and governance operate across Argus, with a focus on COSO-aligned frameworks and scalable control processes.

You will establish a group-wide controls framework, document risks, support policy governance, and coordinate with internal audit and senior stakeholders to deliver

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant or audit professional with experience in external audit, risk assurance, internal audit or internal controls.
• Experience at Manager level or readiness to take on greater ownership and autonomy.
• Good understanding of internal controls, risk and governance; experience documenting and testing financial controls.
• Familiarity with COSO framework and IT general controls; exposure to ERP systems.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain Argus' group-wide internal controls framework.
• Ensure controls over key financial reporting processes.
• Document processes, risks and controls with owners across the business.
• Develop risk and control matrices and control evidence requirements.
• Support walkthroughs and assess control design/effectiveness.
• Create a testing and monitoring programme; identify remediation actions.
• Coordinate with business to remediate deficiencies and track closure.

Skills

ACCA/ACCA/CIMA

Manager level

Internal controls

COSO framework

ERP systems (NetSuite)

SOX controls

Analytical skills

Stakeholder management

Audit/Control background

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA

Tools

NetSuite

Job description

We are looking for an experienced Internal Controls & Governance Manager to join our Finance team in a newly created role. As Argus continues to grow, we want to strengthen and formalise our approach to internal controls, policies and governance.

While Argus is a privately owned business, our ambition is to operate a robust and scalable control environment aligned with recognised frameworks such as COSO.

This is a hands-on role with significant autonomy and an opportunity to shape how controls and governance operate across Argus.

What you will be doing

Internal Controls

• Establish, implement and maintain Argus' Group-wide internal controls framework.
• Ensure appropriate controls are in place over key financial reporting processes.
• Work with process and control owners to document key financial and operational processes, risks and controls.
• Develop and maintain risk and control matrices, process documentation and control evidence requirements.
• Perform walkthroughs and assess whether key controls are appropriately designed and operating effectively.
• Develop a proportionate programme of controls testing and monitoring.
• Identify control gaps and work collaboratively with the business to agree practical remediation actions.
• Track control deficiencies and remediation through to completion.
• Support the development of a control environment aligned with the COSO framework and recognised best practice.

Policy & Governance

• Establish a clear framework for the creation, approval, ownership and review of Group policies.
• Review and help develop key Finance and business policies.
• Ensure policies and controls remain practical, proportionate and appropriate for a growing international business.
• Promote clear ownership and accountability for controls across the organisation.

Assurance & Internal Audit

• Work alongside Argus’ existing Internal Audit resource and support the delivery of the internal audit programme.
• Coordinate responses to internal and external audit findings and monitor agreed actions.
• Support risk assessments and the development of future internal audit plans.
• Over time, take on greater responsibility for coordinating and delivering Argus’ internal audit programme as the role develops.

Stakeholder Management

• Work closely with Finance, Technology, HR, Legal and operational teams across the Group.
• Build constructive relationships with control owners while maintaining the independence to appropriately challenge processes and controls.
• Provide clear and pragmatic advice rather than simply identifying control issues.
• Provide relevant controls and governance reporting to senior management.

Skills & Experience

You will ideally be a qualified accountant or audit professional with experience gained in external audit, risk assurance, internal audit or internal controls, either within practice or industry.

We’re interested in candidates who demonstrate the following:

• ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent accounting or audit qualification. CIA or Chartered IIA would also be welcome.
• Experience at Manager level, or readiness to step into a role with greater ownership and autonomy.
• Good understanding of internal controls, risk and governance.
• Experience documenting and testing financial controls.
• Understanding of IT general controls and experience working with ERP systems (e.g. NetSuite).
• A good understanding of recognised control frameworks such as COSO, with exposure to SOX-style controls environments.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to understand processes end-to-end.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to turn complex processes into clear documentation.
• Confidence working with senior stakeholders and constructively challenging existing ways of working.
• A practical and commercial mindset, with the ability to distinguish between controls that genuinely manage risk and unnecessary process.
• Experience in a Big Four or other professional services firm, a listed company, or a private or private equity‑backed organisation with a strong control environment would be advantageous.

Why join this role?

This is an opportunity to build rather than inherit. You will have the autonomy to help shape Argus’ controls and governance framework and work directly with senior leaders across the business. The scope of the position is expected to develop as the control environment matures, with the opportunity to take on broader internal audit and assurance responsibilities over time. In the first 12 months, success will mean a documented Group controls framework, risk and control matrices in place for key financial processes, and a clear policy governance framework.

What’s in it for you

Our rapidly growing, award‑winning business offers a dynamic environment for talented, entrepreneurial professionals to achieve results and grow their careers. Argus recognises and rewards successful performance and as an Investor in People, we promote professional development and retain a high‑performing team committed to building our success.

• Competitive salary and company bonus scheme
• Group pension scheme
• Group healthcare and life assurance scheme
• Flexible working environment
• 25 days holiday with annual increase up to 30 days
• Subsidised gym membership
• Season ticket travel loans
• Cycle to work scheme
• Extensive internal and external training