Director SOX Assurance and Advisory

Investigo is currently partnered with a global professional services business who are looking to recruit a Director for their Global Sox Assurance and Advisory team with a focus on the EMEA region.

Due to business expansion, they have a rare opportunity for a seasoned SOX Assurance & Advisory leader to strengthen the Global SOX footprint in EMEA. Based in London, the Global SOX Assurance & Advisory Director will be responsible for helping with the development, assessment, maintenance, and testing of internal controls over financial reporting and for coordinating and implementing overall global SOX program initiatives. In addition, this role will serve as a primary point of contact for business partners, key stakeholders, external auditors and an internal and/or co-sourced team of professionals, to ensure the delivery of timely, high quality project results in accordance with professional standards.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Strengthen and lead a Global SOX Assurance & Advisory team to service the business in the EMEA region, while partnering and working closely with counterparts in the APAC and Americas.
• Establish and build relationships with CFOs, Controllers, and Technology Executives for the 3 key business segments.
• Learn the nature of and the risks related to the business segments.
• Provide input into the annual risk assessment process as required by the SOX leadership team. Design, develop, and execute against the annual audit plan, manage on-time delivery of results, partner with management to develop efficient and effective work schedules and influence improvements in the system of internal controls.
• Interpret policies and procedures and apply professional accounting and auditing principles and standards to test and evaluate complex financial records, financial and operational systems. Design internal control programs that adequately address risk and compliance with company standards and relevant regulations.
• Partner with and provide advice to business partners and key stakeholders on financial and technology controls, maintain current knowledge of regulatory requirements and of the business offerings.
• Work with finance teams within the region to increase finance teams knowledge and understanding of current SOX and internal control requirements by providing training and guidance on a regular and ad hoc basis as needed.
• Prepare and review working papers as appropriate and finalize reports while ensuring that professional writing requirements are met.
• Prepare detailed reports with recommendations to management that are professionally written for an executive audience. Reports will reflect a strong understanding of company objectives and capabilities, control requirements, and industry best practices.
• Present findings and recommendations to the regional finance leadership team in an effective way, keeping leadership engaged and informed throughout the process as appropriate.
• Develop, train, and identify ways to motivate and retain SOX teams as well as monitor quality of work by fostering a strong team environment and providing staff with opportunities to develop skills. Initiate policies and procedures for functional areas of responsibility.
• Facilitate maintenance of annual SOX documentation, evidence, issues log and other pertinent information in a structured and organized fashion. Ensure that SOX process flows, procedures, and controls are kept current and in compliance with internal and external documentation and regulatory requirements.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:

• Circa 10 years experience in external/internal audit/SOX and overall knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and audit procedures.
• Bachelor's degree in business, accounting, finance or related field. Advanced degree (MBA or M.S.) preferred.
• Chartered Accountant (CA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), or Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) required.
• Proven track record in leading and managing audit teams and complex projects.
• Strong understanding of the evaluation of SOX issues and the level of precision required by compensating controls to mitigate the individual and aggregated risks.
• Ability to comprehend, analyze, and interpret complex business documents. Ability to motivate employees and client groups to take desired action.
• Ability to communicate effectively to leadership teams and key stakeholders.
• Understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Generally Accepted Auditing Standards. Advanced analytical and quantitative skills. Ability to analyze complex business/financial data and develop innovative solutions.
• Ability to solve problems and deal with a variety of options in varying situations. Advanced analytical and quantitative skills required.