Senior Internal Controls Specialist

Buckingham Search; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401(k) retirement plan

Paid time off

Parental leave

Job summary

Buckingham Search is seeking a Senior Internal Controls Specialist to join its Internal Controls team in a high-impact role. You will partner with leaders across the business to strengthen internal controls, support SOX compliance, and drive process improvement in a complex multi-business environment.

This role suits professionals from public accounting, internal audit, or SOX compliance looking to make an impact within a collaborative, growing organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in internal audit, SOX compliance, internal controls, or public accounting with experience supporting U.S. public companies.
• Professional certification preferred (CPA, CIA, or equivalent).
• Strong knowledge of SOX requirements, internal control frameworks, and U.S. GAAP.
• Advanced Excel skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office; experience with SAP, GRC platforms, or data analytics tools is a plus.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while working both independently and collaboratively.
• Experience building relationships across cross-functional teams and influencing process improvements.

Responsibilities

• Support the company's Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance program and annual internal controls plan.
• Evaluate the design and operating effectiveness of internal controls across key business processes.
• Partner with business stakeholders to improve and standardize processes and strengthen the overall control environment.
• Identify control gaps and recommend practical, value-added solutions to mitigate risk.
• Assist with governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) system administration, reporting, dashboards, and program documentation.
• Serve as a trusted advisor on internal control and business process matters across the organization.
• Participate in cross-functional projects and other internal control initiatives as needed.
• Build strong relationships with business partners and communicate effectively with stakeholders at various levels of the organization.

Skills

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Relationship building

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field

Tools

SAP

GRC platforms

Data analytics tools

Job description

A leading publicly traded organization is seeking a Senior Internal Controls Specialist to join its Internal Controls team. This role offers the opportunity to partner with leaders across the business to strengthen internal controls, support Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance, and drive process improvement initiatives within a complex, multi-business environment.

This is an excellent opportunity for professionals coming from public accounting, internal audit, or SOX compliance who are looking to make an impact within a collaborative and growing organization.

Responsibilities

• Support the company's Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance program and annual internal controls plan.
• Evaluate the design and operating effectiveness of internal controls across key business processes.
• Partner with business stakeholders to improve and standardize processes and strengthen the overall control environment.
• Identify control gaps and recommend practical, value-added solutions to mitigate risk.
• Assist with governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) system administration, reporting, dashboards, and program documentation.
• Serve as a trusted advisor on internal control and business process matters across the organization.
• Participate in cross-functional projects and other internal control initiatives as needed.
• Build strong relationships with business partners and communicate effectively with stakeholders at various levels of the organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in internal audit, SOX compliance, internal controls, or public accounting with experience supporting U.S. public companies.
• Professional certification preferred (CPA, CIA, or equivalent).li>
• Strong knowledge of SOX requirements, internal control frameworks, and U.S. GAAP.
• Advanced Excel skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office; experience with SAP, GRC platforms, or data analytics tools is a plus.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while working both independently and collaboratively.
• Experience building relationships across cross-functional teams and influencing process improvements.

Additional Information

• Approximately 15–30% travel, primarily within North America.
• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), paid time off, paid parental leave, employee stock purchase program, and professional development assistance.