Internal Controls Senior

Elliott Davis; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous time off

Flexible schedules

Paid family leave

Wellness benefits

Professional coaching

Leadership programs

Career development

Job summary

Elliott Davis seeks an Internal Controls Senior to lead day-to-day execution of internal control engagements for clients in Chattanooga. You will develop test plans, document risks and controls, and report progress to engagement teams.

Collaborate across functions, identify control gaps, drive remediation, and contribute to program development while ensuring SOX compliance. Strong communication and analytical skills are essential for success.

Qualifications

• Minimum of three years in risk and controls.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Accounting/Finance.
• CPA or CIA preferred.
• Experience with SOX, AICPA and PCAOB standards.
• Strong analytical and communication skills.
• Proficient in MS Office; familiarity with AI tools.
• Experience collaborating across teams to standardize procedures and drive improvements.
• Knowledge of IT audit and data analytics is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Assess risks within business processes and design appropriate controls.
• Create and maintain detailed internal controls documentation.
• Perform testing to evaluate design and operating effectiveness of controls.
• Provide excellent client service and communicate clearly.
• Identify control deficiencies, develop remediation plans, and track progress.
• Assist with project management, status reporting and oversight.
• Stay current on regulations and best practices in internal controls.
• Lead process walkthroughs and document business processes.
• Demonstrate strong thinking, writing and editing skills.

Skills

Risk assessment

Testing controls

SOX compliance

Project management

Communications

Data analytics

IT audits

AI tools awareness

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Accounting/Finance

CPA or CIA preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Visio

PowerPoint

AI tools (CoPilot/Claude)

Job description

Who We Are

Elliott Davis pairs forward-thinking tax, assurance and consulting services with industry-leading workplace culture. Our nine offices — located in the fastest growing cities in the US — are built on a foundation of inclusivity, collaboration, and collective growth. We work daily to provide exceptional service to our people, customers, and our communities. Audit and assurance services are provided by Elliott Davis, LLC (doing business in NC and D.C. as Elliott Davis, PLLC), a licensed CPA firm.

The Internal Controls Senior will lead the day-to-day execution of multiple internal control audit and advisory engagements; develop test plans and risk and control documentation; manage and report on project status; collaborate with cross-functional engagement teams; provide feedback to Internal Controls staff; and participate in program development efforts. This role will also identify and coordinate process improvements and manage other assigned ad hoc projects. The Internal Controls Senior Associate will be a champion for the Internal Controls program, helping build a strong team and deliver extraordinary client service.

Key Responsibilities

• Assess risks within various business processes and design appropriate controls to mitigate those risks.
• Create and maintain detailed internal controls documentation, including process narratives, risk and control matrices, and flowcharts.
• Perform testing to evaluate the design and operating effectiveness of internal controls.
• Provide excellent client service, build relationships, and communicate complex issues clearly and concisely.
• Identify control deficiencies, develop remediation plans, and track progress against those plans.
• Assist with project management activities, including status tracking, reporting, and oversight of team members.
• Stay current on relevant regulations, standards, and best practices related to internal controls and risk management.
• Lead process walkthroughs to understand and document business processes.
• Demonstrate strong critical thinking, writing, grammar, and editing skills.

Qualifications

• Minimum of three years of risk and controls or related experience.
• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field.
• Professional certification such as CPA or CIA preferred.
• Knowledge of process design, risk management, and internal control frameworks.
• Experience scoping and performing controls testing under AICPA and PCAOB standards and SOX compliance, including identification of control gaps and deficiencies.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Effective organization and project management skills.
• Strong communication abilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Visio, and AI tools, such as CoPilot and Claude.
• Professionalism, professional curiosity, attention to detail, emotional intelligence, integrity, adaptability, and a positive attitude.
• Experience collaborating across functional teams to standardize procedures, identify and implement process improvements, and increase automation efforts.
• Experience with data analytics, IT audit, and emerging technologies such as AI is a bonus but not required.

What Success Looks Like

• Leads high-quality engagements that meet timelines and client expectations.
• Builds trusted relationships through clear, proactive communication.
• Produces clear, accurate, review-ready documentation.
• Identifies risks, control gaps, and practical, value-add improvement opportunities.
• Coaches team members and contributes to practice growth.

WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN US

We believe that when our employees are able to thrive in all facets of life, their work and impact are that much greater. That's Right – All Aspects Of Life, Not Just Your Life As An Employee, Because We Understand That There's Life Beyond Your Job. Here Are Some Of The Ways Our Work Works For Your Life, Your Growth, And Your Well-being

• generous time away and paid firm holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s
• flexible work schedules
• 16 weeks of paid maternity and adoption leave, 8 weeks of paid parental leave, 4 weeks of paid and caregiver leave (once eligible)
• first-class health and wellness benefits, including wellness coaching and mental health counseling
• one-on-one professional coaching
• Leadership and career development programs
• access to Beyond: a one-of-a kind program with experiences that help you expand your life, personally and professionally

NOTICE TO 3RD PARTY RECRUITERS

Notice to Recruiters and Agencies regarding unsolicited resumes or candidate submissions without prior express written approval. Resumes submitted or candidates referred to any employee of Elliott Davis by any external recruiter or recruitment agency by any means (including but not limited to via Internet, e-mail, fax, U.S. mail, and/or verbal communications) without a properly executed written contract for a specified position by an authorized member of the Talent Acquisition team become the property of Elliott Davis. Elliott Davis will not be responsible for, or owe any fees associated with, referrals of those candidates and/or for submission of any information, including resumes, associated with individuals.

Ada Requirements

The physical and cognitive/mental requirements and the work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is:

• Regularly required to remain in a stationary position; use hands repetitively to operate standard office equipment; and to talk or hear, both in person and by telephone
• Required to have specific vision abilities which include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus

Cognitive/Mental Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

• Use written and oral communication skills.
• Read and interpret data, information, and documents.
• Observe and interpret situations.
• Work under deadlines with frequent interruptions; and
• Interact with internal and external customers and others in the course of work.