A key driver of accounting process harmonization and improvement, monitoring of accounting operations, assisting in Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance, and various finance technology initiatives. This role partners closely with the Chief Accounting Officer, Operations Controller, regional Controllers, finance shared service teams, and the information technology team.
MAJOR JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (List in order of importance)
- Responsible for managing changes to the company’s internal controls environment, including identifying opportunities for efficiency while maintaining or increasing overall effectiveness.
- Report on the internal control framework, control implementation, and control deficiencies to ensure appropriate communication, documentation, escalation to business process owners and senior leadership.
- Manage the internal control process documentation and reporting of compliance within the Workiva W-desk platform
- Facilitate the collection and review of management’s quarterly SOX Section 302 Certification Process
- Conduct the company’s annual fraud risk assessment process, including tie-in to the Company’s Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) program.
- Provide guidance and oversight to team members who provide critical support to global teams through the performance of certain centralized control activities and status reporting for several critical monthly internal controls.
- Provide guidance and oversight to team members to complete assigned tasks and responsibilities.
- Review SOX testing over management’s information used by the company (IUC) and testing over select entities’ internal control operations and remediation efforts.
- Interact with internal and external auditors to support their SOX audit efforts. Monitors the results of internal controls design and operating effectiveness testing by internal and external auditors. Facilitates the collection of internal control documentation received from management to ensure it sufficient of Internal Audit’s testing. Partners with Internal Audit to reach internal control deficiency conclusions, as necessary. This position is not responsible for coordinating the internal controls testing schedule by internal and external auditors; however, does help to ensure that procedures and the overall project are executed timely.
- Serve as a trusted advisor and subject matter expert to the business for all things SOX compliance
- Lead internal controls assessments, evaluate business and technology risks, identify mitigation controls and opportunities to improve control environment.
- Promote opportunities for continuous improvement and enhancement of internal control management processes
- Monitor timeliness of remediation of control gaps/weaknesses and provide recommendations for operational improvements.
- Build positive working relationships with Management and Business owners, by providing value added feedback and communication that can help them better achieve their business objectives.
- Foster and support the development of team members through setting clear expectations, providing sufficient feedback, inspiring and empowering individuals to maximize their potential and/or drive for continuous growth through the achievement of individual and department goals and objectives.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS (Education/Training, Experience and Certifications)
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance or other business related major.
- Experience: 3 to 5 years of experience in Big 4 public accounting, ERP implementations and architecting control environments.
- Certified Public Accounting and/or CISA Certification desired
KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES (Those necessary to perform the job competently)
- Ability to build and maintain solid relationships across multiple levels of management including communication with external auditors/consultants.
- Strong knowledge of the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, Section 404, US GAAP applicable to the technology industry, SEC reporting requirements, and PCAOB and COSO/Internal Audit standards.
- Strong operational capability and sense of urgency to drive assigned tasks to completion to ensure achievement of annual departmental initiatives.
- Willingness to roll up sleeves to both do the work and manage initiatives.
- Demonstrated ability to work and multi-task in a fast-paced/high growth environment with multiple entities.
- Ability to prioritize the most critical areas and issues with an entrepreneurial mindset
- Experience establishing a SOX controls Environments that address a combination of financial/operating and technology objectives
- Strong influencing and leadership skills
- Expert knowledge of and ability to support internal and external audit requirements
- Works very well autonomously, able to execute responsibilities with minimal direct oversight
- Comfortable presenting topics to senior leadership, as necessary
- Experience with SAP, HRIS, PwC Enterprise Insights and HFM systems a plus
- Proficient with Microsoft Office Applications – Word, Excel, PowerPoint
- Excellent problem solving, organizational, and communication skills
- Strong project management skills (defines targets, monitors and reports progress, strong closure)
ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL EFFORT (Under Typical Positions)
- Typically works in an office environment with adequate lighting and ventilation and a normal range of temperature and noise level.
- Remote work is an option (exact plan agreed with manager)
- Work assignments are diversified. Examples of past precedent are used to resolve work problems. New alternatives may be developed to resolve problems.
- A regular volume of work and deadlines impose reasonable strain on routine basis.
- Minimal physical effort is required. Work is mostly sedentary but does require walking, standing, bending, reaching, lifting or carrying objects that typically weigh less than 10 lbs.
- Ability to travel a few times per year but no more than 10%. Expected to be minimal in terms of required travel.
Disclaimer:
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position. Avantor is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.
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We are an Equal Employment/Affirmative Action employer and VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/province, or local law.
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