Senior Accounting and Policy Controls Analyst

Korn Ferry; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

Korn Ferry is partnering with a client to identify a Senior Analyst – Accounting Policy and Controls in Houston, TX. The role focuses on technical accounting, policy development, SOX, internal controls, and external reporting within a multinational framework.

You will research complex GAAP matters, maintain policy documents, and coordinate with auditors while helping strengthen control environments and cross‑functional processes. Seminars and onboarding may involve travel to Poland.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or related field.
• Active CPA required; candidates without a valid CPA will not be considered.
• Approximately 4–8 years of total accounting and audit experience.
• Public accounting experience on the audit side required.
• Big Four public accounting experience strongly preferred.
• Strong technical accounting knowledge with the ability to independently research and apply U.S. GAAP.
• Experience with risk and control matrices, process narratives, flowcharts, control documentation, and audit evidence.
• Strong writing and documentation skills with the ability to clearly communicate technical accounting concepts.
• Open to international travel and spending extended time in Gdansk, Poland during the initial onboarding period.

Responsibilities

• Draft, edit, and maintain the company’s Accounting Policy Manual in accordance with U.S. GAAP and company practices
• Research complex technical accounting matters and translate accounting guidance into practical conclusions, policies, and procedures
• Assist with preparation of technical accounting memos documenting accounting positions, conclusions, and supporting analyses
• Monitor new accounting standards, business changes, and audit findings and update accounting policies accordingly
• Maintain centralized inventories of key internal controls and risk and control matrices
• Develop and maintain SOX documentation including narratives, flowcharts, policies, procedures, templates, checklists, and job aids
• Monitor control ownership and ensure key controls are executed accurately and on schedule
• Follow up with control owners regarding missing, incomplete, or delayed control execution
• Support periodic SOX activities including control certifications, compliance reporting, and evidence collection
• Partner with business teams to strengthen control execution and translate technical accounting requirements into scalable processes
• Serve as a primary liaison with external and internal auditors for financial statement audits and SOX compliance activities
• Coordinate audit requests and ensure supporting documentation is complete, accurate, and provided timely
• Evaluate accounting processes and controls, identify gaps or weaknesses, and proactively recommend improvements
• Challenge existing processes when appropriate and raise concerns when accounting, documentation, or controls are not operating effectively
• Partner cross-functionally with accounting, finance, internal audit, and global teams to improve compliance and reduce financial reporting risk
• Support external financial reporting activities, including preparation of SEC filings, as needed
• Help strengthen accounting policies, controls, documentation, and processes across a multinational organization

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or related field

Active CPA

Tools

Workiva

Visio

SharePoint

Job description

Korn Ferry is partnering with our client on their search for a Senior Accounting Policy and Controls Analyst.

Company Overview:

• Global oilfield services organization with operations across multiple international markets, supporting customers through a broad portfolio of drilling, production, and energy services
• The company operates in a complex multinational environment, creating significant exposure to international tax, compliance, and cross-border business activities
• The organization operates in a complex multinational environment, creating strong exposure to technical accounting, SEC reporting, internal controls, SOX compliance, and global accounting matters
• The culture emphasizes accountability, collaboration, and operational excellence across Accounting, Finance, Internal Audit, Operations, and international teams
• This role sits within the Corporate Reporting organization and offers strong visibility, broad technical accounting exposure, and a clear opportunity to grow into increased responsibility and management over time

Role Summary:

• Title: Senior Analyst – Accounting Policy and Controls
• Department: Accounting / Corporate Reporting
• Reports To: Senior Manager – External Reporting, Accounting Policy and Controls
• Location: Houston, TX
• Work Arrangement: Hybrid, typically 3 days in office and 2 days from home, with some flexibility
• Travel: Approximately 3–4 trips to Gdansk, Poland during the first year, with travel expected to decrease over time; candidate should also be open to spending 1–2 months in Gdansk during onboarding or training if needed
• Primary Focus: Support technical accounting, accounting policy development, SOX compliance, internal controls, audit coordination, and external reporting while serving as a hands‑on resource capable of independently researching complex accounting matters and improving the company’s control environment

Key Responsibilities:

• Draft, edit, and maintain the company’s Accounting Policy Manual in accordance with U.S. GAAP and company practices
• Research complex technical accounting matters and translate accounting guidance into practical conclusions, policies, and procedures
• Assist with preparation of technical accounting memos documenting accounting positions, conclusions, and supporting analyses
• Monitor new accounting standards, business changes, and audit findings and update accounting policies accordingly
• Maintain centralized inventories of key internal controls and risk and control matrices
• Develop and maintain SOX documentation including narratives, flowcharts, policies, procedures, templates, checklists, and job aids
• Monitor control ownership and ensure key controls are executed accurately and on schedule
• Follow up with control owners regarding missing, incomplete, or delayed control execution
• Support periodic SOX activities including control certifications, compliance reporting, and evidence collection
• Partner with business teams to strengthen control execution and translate technical accounting requirements into scalable processes
• Serve as a primary liaison with external and internal auditors for financial statement audits and SOX compliance activities
• Coordinate audit requests and ensure supporting documentation is complete, accurate, and provided timely
• Evaluate accounting processes and controls, identify gaps or weaknesses, and proactively recommend improvements
• Challenge existing processes when appropriate and raise concerns when accounting, documentation, or controls are not operating effectively
• Partner cross-functionally with accounting, finance, internal audit, and global teams to improve compliance and reduce financial reporting risk
• Support external financial reporting activities, including preparation of SEC filings, as needed
• Help strengthen accounting policies, controls, documentation, and processes across a multinational organization

Ideal Candidate Profile:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or related field required
• Active CPA required; candidates without a valid CPA will not be considered
• Approximately 4–8 years of total accounting and audit experience
• Public accounting experience on the audit side required
• Big Four public accounting experience strongly preferred
• Strong preference for candidates at the heavy Senior Accountant or early Manager level who are ready to continue progressing toward management
• Strong technical accounting knowledge with the ability to independently research and apply U.S. GAAP
• Broad exposure to technical accounting matters, complex transactions, accounting research, and audit processes
• Strong understanding of SOX and SOX compliance, including the underlying accounting concepts and related internal controls
• Experience developing, documenting, and maintaining accounting policies and procedures rather than solely testing controls
• Experience with risk and control matrices, process narratives, flowcharts, control documentation, and audit evidence
• Should not come exclusively from an Internal Audit background; broader financial accounting and external audit experience is important
• Ability to independently research complex accounting questions and develop practical solutions without significant day-to-day guidance
• Strong writing and documentation skills with the ability to clearly communicate technical accounting concepts
• Experience working within a multinational organization is preferred
• Experience with Workiva, Visio, SharePoint, or similar documentation and workflow tools is a plus
• Strong tenure and demonstrated commitment to previous employers preferred
• Self‑starter who is comfortable jumping into unfamiliar situations, asking questions, challenging existing processes, and identifying when something is not working properly
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• Comfortable working independently in a hard‑working but collaborative environment without significant micromanagement
• Open to international travel and spending extended time in Gdansk, Poland during the initial onboarding period
• Target Base Compensation: $120K–$140K with flexibility for an exceptional candidate
• Hybrid work environment, typically 3 days in office and 2 days from home with some flexibility
• International exposure through collaboration with global accounting teams and periodic travel to Poland
• Direct reporting relationship to the Senior Manager of External Reporting, Accounting Policy and Controls
• Strong opportunity for continued professional development and progression toward an Accounting Manager-level role
• Opportunity to develop broad expertise across technical accounting, SOX, accounting policy, controls, audit coordination, and external reporting

Selling Points

• Strong career progression opportunity for a CPA coming from public accounting who wants to grow into a Manager role over the next several years
• Broad technical accounting position rather than a narrow Internal Audit or SOX testing role
• Exposure to accounting policy development, technical research, SOX compliance, audit coordination, and potentially SEC reporting
• Opportunity to independently research complex U.S. GAAP matters and influence how accounting guidance is applied across the organization
• Highly visible role reporting directly to senior Corporate Reporting leadership
• International exposure through collaboration with global teams and travel to Gdansk, Poland
• Opportunity to help improve and strengthen accounting policies, processes, documentation, and controls rather than simply maintain existing procedures
• Strong fit for someone who enjoys asking questions, challenging processes, and identifying opportunities to improve the control environment
• Hard‑working but down‑to‑earth culture with significant autonomy and limited micromanagement
• Excellent opportunity for a technically strong CPA seeking broader corporate accounting exposure and a clear path toward leadership