IT Financial Controls Lead

Assurant, Inc.; United States; Remote; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking company as an IT Financial Controls Lead, where you will play a crucial role in evaluating internal controls and managing risk. This position involves leading audit teams, providing technical expertise, and influencing improvements in the control environment. You will utilize your analytical skills to identify efficiencies through data analytics and automation, while also mentoring a team to deliver high-quality results. With opportunities for professional development and a collaborative work culture, this role is perfect for those looking to make a significant impact in a dynamic environment.

Benefits

Professional Development Opportunities

Flexible Work Hours

Health Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Qualifications

• 4+ years in internal/external audit and IT roles.
• Experience with SOX compliance and external auditors.

Responsibilities

• Lead ITGC assessments and communicate findings.
• Manage relationships with IT process owners.

Skills

IT General Controls

Internal Audit

Data Analytics

Project Management

Communication Skills

Education

BS/BA in Information Technology

Professional Certifications (CPA, CIA, CISA)

Tools

AuditBoard

PowerBI

Tableau

Microsoft SharePoint

Job description

Overview of Position:

The IT Financial Controls Lead is responsible for the understanding and evaluation of the internal control and risk environment within Assurant, Inc. including (but not limited to) the following objectives:

• Lead audit teams and ensure work performed is in compliance with established audit methodology, IT technical requirements and emerging best practices while meeting all organizational and professional ethical standards.

• Provide technical IT expertise to management related to process and control recommendations and utilize expertise conducting assessments of internal controls.

• Manage relationships with IT process owners to understand and influence improvements over management’s control environment.

What will be my duties and responsibilities in this job?

Lead Projects (up to 60%)

The primary function of this role is to lead projects that identify risk, evaluate IT controls and report key findings for assigned business areas, and assess their impact to Assurant’s mission, strategy, and related business objectives. Specific tasks include but are not limited to the following:

• Use technical knowledge of IT and general business to design, lead and execute ITGC assessments including, system implementations, and IT dependent application controls s through all phases of the audit including planning, testing, and providing written reports of key findings.

• Assess opportunities to improve the internal control environment across the company and provide related recommendations.

• Understand, recognize, and communicate key performance drivers, business trends, and emerging financial, technical and industry developments.

• Identify and realize efficiencies through data analytics and automation in both the department and in the company.

• Participate in Assurant’s annual risk assessment and audit planning.

• Follow up on recommendations that help Assurant’s business leaders manage risk and issues.

• Follow professional standards and audit methodologies, policies, procedures, and best practices to ensure product quality.

• Communicate effectively with all levels of management and staff through written reports and oral presentations.

• Develop an understanding of Assurant Businesses and maintain awareness of significant industry, regulatory and business changes across the organization and their potential impact on the established control environment.

• Pursue professional development opportunities and share lessons with colleagues.

SOX / MAR / External Auditor Assistance (10% of time)

The role may require the individual to support and/or coordinate SOX/MAR compliance or External Auditor Assistance activities through the execution of testing and communication to management. Specific tasks include, but are not limited to the following:

• Participate in the development of test plans, review test documentation, control narratives, procedures, and control testing.

• Execute business test strategy to ensure the activities are performed in accordance with the SOX/MAR plan.

• Participate in periodic scoping and account mapping of significant processes.

• Review documentation for quality, consistency, and relevance.

• Work with and support external auditors as required.

• Coordinate activities with External Auditors, Assurant Enterprise Risk, Compliance, and IT functions to align internal audit activities.

Trusted Advisor & Functional Leadership (up to 20%)

The role may require the individual to leverage knowledge and subject matter expertise related to the control environment to support progression of the SOX program. Specific tasks include, not are not limited to the following:

• Develop and maintain relationships with control and process owners, business managers and subject matter experts as assigned.

• Maintain awareness of significant industry, regulatory and business changes across assigned process and businesses and their potential impact to the established control environment.

• Become a trusted, objective, and independent partner that is sought after to provide cost-effective, independent assurance and advice on the effectiveness of the company’s management of critical risks.

• Mentor and influence the Financial Controls team to deliver high-quality results.

• Act as a technical resource and subject matter expert to stakeholders and team.

Lead Professional Practice Activities (up to 15%)

The role may require the individual to lead professional practice activities to support development and help ensure that department processes, systems and methodologies effectively and efficiently enable the department to meet its chartered objectives. Specific tasks may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Participate on initiatives, centers of excellence and other working groups that enhance the quality, methodology and processes of the department.

• Create and implement technology solutions, tools, templates and automation that support effective and efficient SOX/MAR methodologies.

• Create and deliver learning interventions that support SOX/MAR methodologies.

• Create, maintain, and report on SOX/MAR program metrics through dashboards and reports that demonstrate best practices in data visualization and continuously monitor and report on progress and issues.

What are the requirements needed for this position?

Education

• Required: BS/BA degree in Information Technology, Business, Management, Accounting, Finance, or related field)

Previous Experience

• 4+ years of combined experience in internal or external audit and information technology related roles

• Big 4 public accounting firm experience

• Strong understanding of IT general controls, security configuration, automated application controls and systems implementations

• Experience supporting or collaborating with external/internal auditors on IT SOX audits

• Familiarity with ERP systems, GRC tools, and cloud-based systems and controls

• Experience in formal communications (written reports and oral) with all levels of staff and management

• Experience leading meetings and projects to successful outcomes

• Experience successfully delivering large scale audit programs leveraging project management skills to meet competing deadlines

Knowledge and Skills

• Deep understanding of IT control frameworks

• Experience evaluating and testing across domains such as as change management, logical access, and computer operations

• Ability to assess automated controls and systems configurations for financial reporting relevance

• Familiarity with identity and access management tools, segregation of duties, and controls automation

• Strong analytical skills to interpret system outputs, data flow and risks

Leadership & Influence

• Proven ability to serve as a technical subject matter expert for IT controls within an audit team

• Experience in guiding control owners, providing insights on control design and systems implications, and supporting remediate efforts

• Strong communication and documentation skills – able to translate complex IT risk concepts into actionable business recommendations

• Comfortable in influencing without formal authority, working cross-functionally with IT, Security, Finance, and Audit teams

• Demonstrated ability to support a culture of risk awareness, compliance, and continuous improvement

What other skills/experience would be helpful to have?

Education

• One or more related professional certifications in accounting or auditing (CPA, CIA, CISA, etc.)

Previous Experience

• Experience applying broad business knowledge and practical experience to manage and control risk

• Experience with financial services or insurance industry

• Experience managing project plans, issues logs, risk/mitigation strategies, automated testing tools, cost/benefit analysis tools

• Experience using and supporting the AuditBoard audit management software

• Experience creating content in the Microsoft SharePoint environment

• Experience with data analysis and visualization tools such as PowerBI, Tableau, etc.

Knowledge and Skills

• The ability to resolve conflict and negotiate solutions meeting best needs of all parties

• The ability to mentor and coach colleagues through influence to achieve team results

• Knowledge of accounting & finance (GL, AP, AR, payroll systems, ratios, valuations, etc.), enterprise risk, compliance, insurance and financial regulations

• Business process improvement and design (BPM, Lean, Six Sigma, etc.)

• Impact of culture on business strategy, change management