Lead Senior Auditor - Business SOX

HITACHI VANTARA INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 2,600,000 - 3,600,000; Full time

Job summary

Lowe's India, the Global Capability Center of Lowe’s Companies, seeks a Lead Auditor to own the SOX Oversight program and lead operational audits. You will supervise audit teams, plan testing, review management testing, and drive improvements in internal controls across functions, partnering with management and external auditors.

The role requires 6+ years of post-qualification experience, strong accounting knowledge, and excellent communication.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of post-qualification experience in SOX, internal/external audit.
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, Business, IT or related field.
• CPA/CA, CIA, CISA or related professional certification.
• Retail and/or public accounting experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead SOX program planning, independent SOX testing, and management testing review.
• Direct cross-functional audit teams and communicate results to management.
• Perform data analysis to deliver insights to management.
• Develop audit test steps and assess internal controls.
• Coordinate with the US SOX oversight team and stakeholders.
• Mentor staff auditors and manage project expectations.

Skills

Auditing

SOX testing

Report writing

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting/finance/IT

Master's degree in business/Accounting/Finance/IT

CPA/CA/CIA/CISA

Job description

Innovate in Bengaluru

This position is based at our on-site office in Bengaluru. Lowe's offers an ultramodern work environment, complete with cutting-edge technology, collaborative workspaces, an on-site gym and clinic, and other perks to enhance your work experience.

About Lowe’s

Lowe’s is a FORTUNE® 100 home improvement company serving approximately 16 million customer transactions a week in the United States. With total fiscal year 2024 sales of more than $83 billion, Lowe’s operates over 1,700 home improvement stores and employs approximately 300,000 associates. Based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe’s supports the communities it serves through programs focused on creating safe, affordable housing, improving community spaces, helping to develop the next generation of skilled trade experts and providing disaster relief to communities in need. For more information, visit Lowes.com

Lowe’s India, the Global Capability Center of Lowe’s Companies Inc., is a hub for driving our technology, business, analytics, and shared services strategy. Based in Bengaluru with over 4,500 associates, it powers innovations across omnichannel retail, AI/ML, enterprise architecture, supply chain, and customer experience. From supporting and launching homegrown solutions to fostering innovation through its Catalyze platform, Lowe’s India plays a pivotal role in transforming home improvement retail while upholding strong commitment to social impact and sustainability. For more information, visit Lowes India

About the Team

Internal Audit is an independent assurance/advisory function reporting functionally to the audit committee of the Board and administratively to the Finance function (CFO). IA is responsible for planning, executing, and reporting operational, compliance, financial, and technology audits.

Job Summary

The primary purpose of this role is to act as a Lead Auditor of Internal Audit’s SOX Oversight program and to lead Operational Audits. For Operational Audits, Internal Audit at Lowe's focuses primarily on value-add, operational audits with high visibility to Lowe's Leadership. The Lead Auditor conducts audits that evaluate the effectiveness of established internal controls designed to manage Lowe's most significant risks. The Lead Auditor is responsible for planning audits, developing steps for audit testing, and gathering and analyzing information necessary to evaluate the adequacy of controls.

The SOX Oversight responsibilities include a combination of SOX planning activities, performing independent SOX testing, reviewing management’s testing, and driving SOX-related administrative activities such as reporting of internal controls over financial reporting, as well as continuous improvement of the program. The role will be the liaison for SOX-related activities with Management and the external auditors. Engagement with Management includes consulting on controls/narratives, training on best practices, and oversight of Management testing, as well as routine quarterly SOX procedures. To accomplish this, technical accounting and SOX experience are preferred.

The Lead Auditor is the day-to-day leader of projects and oversight of staff and senior auditors who are responsible for execution of SOX Oversight responsibilities, Operational Audits, and deep-dive reviews of high-risk areas. These responsibilities include project management, ensuring training and development needs for the seniors and staff are met, ensuring quality standards are maintained, and written/oral communication of audit results to management. This position will also work across cross-functional organizational business units, primarily collaborating with management at all levels, to facilitate the development of action plans to address risks identified through control testing or other reviews. This role will also partner closely with the SOX oversight team in the US.

Roles & Responsibilities

Core Responsibilities

• Leads Internal Audit’s oversight role in the Company's SOX 404 assessment, including SOX program planning activities, performing independent SOX testing, reviewing management’s testing, and driving SOX-related administrative activities such as reporting of internal controls over financial reporting.
• Leads integrated and cross-functional audit teams in the identification of risks/ gaps and communicates results to management in a clear, actionable and timely manner.
• Performs data analysis to deliver valuable insights to management, when applicable
• Leads process-level risk assessments to identify significant risks and their related controls and develop audit test steps designed to evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of those internal controls.
• Follows up on key management actions from prior SOX testing and operational audit issues to determine if required action was taken, document, and communicate the results of the review to audit and client management.
• Identifies and documents weaknesses in control design and effectiveness based on analysis performed and writes formal draft audit reports with the level of quality necessary for an executive audience.
• Executes and/or directs the senior/staff auditors in the execution of audit test steps and the documentation of the related workpapers to support conclusions reached.
• Provides recommendations to Management on control enhancements and process improvement opportunities
• Drives innovation across the team using a deep understanding of audit practices and identifying areas for improvement or efficiency.
• Serves as the day-to-day liaison with management and external auditors to ensure open lines of communication are maintained and audit objectives are being met.
• Demonstrates effective project management by discussing project expectations with the team, maintaining consistent communication throughout the audit engagement, and identifying development opportunities for staff auditors. Recommends performance coaching opportunities for staff and less experienced auditors
• Manages client relationships with open communication throughout the audit process, keeping the client aware of potential concerns and the Senior Audit Manager aware of project status or issues that need to be addressed
• Meets or exceeds customers’ expectations while creating a seamless experience for the client by understanding how the Senior Auditor role, team goals, and daily activities fit into the company vision.
• Supports a collaborative environment by working in a team of peers to solve problems and share information with peers, manager, and customers as appropriate

Years of Experience

6+ years of post-qualification experience

Education Qualification & Certifications

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, Business, IT, or a related field
• 6-9 years of experience in Business SOX, internal/external audit, accounting, or relevant business/control functions
• Working knowledge of SOX 404, internal controls over financial reporting, auditing standards/frameworks, and control testing methodologies
• Master’s degree in business, Accounting, Finance, IT, or a related field
• Retail business and/or public accounting experience
• CPA/CA, CIA, CISA, or related professional certification
• Demonstrated experience reviewing work of less experienced auditors, coordinating with stakeholders, and applying sound audit judgement

Skill Set Required

• Auditing experience
• SOX testing experience
• Report writing and written communication

Secondary Skills (desired)

• Project management
• Negotiation

Lowe's is an equal opportunity employer and administers all personnel practices without regard to race, color, religious creed, sex, gender, age, ancestry, national origin, mental or physical disability or medical condition, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other category protected under federal, state, or local law.