Risk Management & Independence Manager

Grant Thornton GCS; Edison (NJ); On-site; USD 112,000 - 168,000; Full time

Job summary

Grant Thornton GCS is seeking a Risk Management & Independence Manager to support independence standards, policy development, and client relationship checks across the GTI network. You will liaise with partners and professionals to evaluate opportunities and monitor personal independence compliance.

The role requires CPA certification, strong analytical and communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced, global environment. Some travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Five or more years of experience in accounting or independence offices; CPA is required.
• Excellent analytical, technical, and communication skills.
• Strong ability to acquire, synthesize, and present technical information.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation abilities.
• Strong project planning skills and ability to manage multiple projects.

Responsibilities

• Consult with PMDs and professionals on applying independence standards to situations.
• Perform relationship checks using the RCS system across stages and teams.
• Monitor independence for large private equity clients with SEC independence.
• Support evaluations of services and relationships in acquisitions by GTI teams.
• Develop and train on independence policies, tools, and quality controls.

Skills

Analytical skills

Technical writing

Presentation skills

Project management

Multi-project coordination

Interpersonal skills

Education

CPA certification

Tools

MS Word

PowerPoint

Excel

Job description

Grant Thornton is seeking a Risk Management & Independence Manager to join the team. Approved office locations can be found below.

To enhance our international capabilities and to continue to serve our clients that have international operations, Grant ThorntonLLP (GT) is seeking a manager (or experienced senior) in the Independence Group to liaise with its partners and professionals throughout the Grant Thornton International (GTI) member firm network. The Independence Consulting Manager (or manager) will play a significant role in assisting our partners, associate partners, managing directors (PMDs) and professionals in evaluating new opportunities (audit or other) or existing relationships for a client (or prospect) or an affiliate of one that is subject to independence requirements, including firm monitored private equity firms and portfolio companies. The manager will also play a role in GT’s adoption and development of global independence quality control requirements adopted by GTI, including independence related policies or processes established by GT. Collectively, the US Independence Group is responsible for monitoring the activities of the various independence standard setters and regulatory bodies, including the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Securities Exchange Commission, Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, International Federation of Accountants, Government Accountability Office, and Department of Labor. This role will apply need to apply a broad knowledge of professional standards to assist engagement teams in evaluating or monitoring independence and assisting others in the Independence with the development of GT independence policies and quality control processes. The manager should be comfortable working in a team environment within Independence or other GT groups (e.g., Private Equity, etc.) and to also be able to work independently. The manager must manage competing priorities in a rapidly growing, fast-paced, interactive, results-based team environment. The Independence Group is responsible for liaising with quality control representatives from client serving lines and with independence or risk management representatives from other GTI member firms to discuss the ramifications of professional services, business relationships and other matters on our firm’s independence and ethical responsibilities. The manager will play a significant role in assisting our PPMDs and professionals in advising or performing relationship checks (audit or non-audit) by using the Relationship Checking System (RCS), assisting with acquisitions, and assist monitoring personal independence compliance.

Furthermore, the Independence Group is responsible for publication of independence policies and processes throughout the firm as well as development of training courses and independence related resources to enhance our professionals understanding of applicable new requirements due to changes made by regulators or firm policy. This manager will assist in developing and maintaining independence related publications, and involvement in developing and presenting independence related training. The manager will also be involved in internal consultations to assist engagement teams with their independence related questions as it relates to nonaudit services or business relationships (or other areas), therefore, the manager will need to understand and apply the more restrictive of the independence rules to a particular fact situation to enable firm PPMDs and professionals to make appropriate business decisions. The successful candidate must have strong interpersonal skills and able to effectively communicate to the firm’s broad practitioners in diverse disciplines, such as assurance, tax, advisory services, litigation support services, risk and recovery, and other practices.

Job Responsibilities

• Consult with PMDs and professionals on the application of independence standards to a particular fact situation (e.g., scope of services, business relationships, employment, personal compliance).
• Perform various Relationship Checking activities (e.g., processing relationship checks at various stages assisting teams with evaluating relationships reported, etc.) by using RCS.
• Assist in monitoring independence for larger private equity firms for which the firm is maintaining SEC independence.
• Support the evaluation of services and relationships for Grant Thornton Advisors LLC acquisitions
• Assist in training independence team in INDUS on the application of AICPA independence standards relating to nonaudit services or business relationship for existing and prospective private audit clients to assist engagement teams in clearing private audit client checks, including monitoring and supervising the INDUS team related to this initiative.
• Assist in developing firm independence policies and quality control requirements which will involve documentation and regular updates.
• Develop and present technical content for professional training programs or for other firm purposes.
• Assist in maintaining and develop independence related resources or publications (e.g., nonaudit services matrices, etc.).
• Liaise with representatives of Grant Thornton International and the member firms on potential independence matters, potential conflicts of interest and independence confirmations/representations.
• Attend professional development and training sessions on a regular basis.
• Perform other job-related duties or assist with special projects, as necessary.
• Perform various Restricted List activities (e.g., assisting with engagement team requests, reconciling reports, working with Collaboration Center team to post approved edits etc.) leveraging RIL, RCS, Watch List and GRL.
• Assist with monitoring the activities of independence standards setting and regulatory bodies (e.g., personal compliance, etc.).
• Assist in reviewing filing alerts and preparing overview of independence safeguards implemented.
• Perform various personal compliance activities (e.g., monitoring the timely transition and addition of investment accounts in the firm’s automated tracking systems, evaluating financial relationships reported, etc.) by using the firm’s compliance tools.
• Assist in monitoring the annual certification process.
• Assist in developing firm independence policies and quality control requirements.
• Perform and conduct detail review of team members.Individual will be heavily involved in day-to-day oversight of independence compliance function.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously and competing priorities in a rapidly growing, fast-paced, interactive, results-based global team environment by leading and collaborating with diverse teams.
• Perform other job-related duties or assist with special projects, as necessary.

Qualifications

• Five or more years of experience related to the accounting profession, with experience in a national office or independence office a strong plus and a CPA is required.
• Excellent analytical, technical, and professional skills including understanding of international accounting and consulting firms’ businesses.
• Strong ability to acquire, synthesize, and present technical information.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills
• Strong Microsoft Word skills required and experience with other Microsoft Office products (e.g., PowerPoint, Excel, etc.).
• Strong project planning skills.
• Experience managing projects, with an ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously while meeting tight deadlines.
• Ability to work on highly technical material, with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work additional hours as needed and limited travel.

The base salary range for this position is between $112,000 and $168,000. Placement within the pay range is at Grant Thornton’s discretion, and it is based on multiple factors, including but not limited to, job -related knowledge/skills, experience, business needs, progression within the role, geographic location, and internal equity. At Grant Thornton, compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.