Internal Controls Testing Senior Manager (Associate Director) - Permanent - London
Job description
Internal Controls Testing Senior Manager (Associate Director)– Permanent
The opportunity
EY UK has implemented ISQM1, the International Standard on Quality Management, which applies to all firms carrying out audits or reviews of financial statements, other assurance or related services engagements. ISQM1 entails a more proactive and risk-based approach to managing quality at the firm level and, at its heart, is the System of Quality Management (SQM) which comprises the firm’s quality objectives, quality risks and responses (i.e. mitigants including controls).
A robust SQM is central to EY’s strategy. The reputation of our brand relies on the quality of the work that we do and having a system of quality management in place helps ensure quality output. This role is therefore central to EY’s strategy and a key priority of the EY LLP Board.
Having implemented ISQM1 since 15 December 2022, the firm is now looking to leverage and enhance the SQM in terms of efficiency and effectiveness, as well as draw insights that will help the firm to achieve its strategy and continue to deliver outstanding quality. The ISQM team has exceptional exposure at the highest levels of the UK firm and provides clear opportunities for the right candidate to establish a high profile.
We have an established SQM team and this is an exciting opportunity and varied role within the SQM team. Ideal for individuals looking to further progress their career or step into a Big 4 firm. You will be responsible for the leading design and operational effectiveness risk-based controls testing across various service lines. Due to the breadth of the role you will learn a remarkable amount about the firm and it’s network, obtain significant exposure at the highest level of the firm and be given the opportunity to input into ongoing process improvements supporting EY in creating business value. The skills applied and developed as part of this role allows successful candidates to access longer term career progression and pursue opportunities within the wider business should they wish.
Your key responsibilities
This role has a primary focus on leading the design and operational effectiveness controls testing over EY UK Member Firm and EY UKI Region. The successful candidate will play a key role in reviewing, analysing and documenting design adequacy assessments over control responses as well as reviewing, analysing and documenting the operational effectiveness testing procedures over them. As a Testing Senior Manager, you are also responsible for performing planning procedures (incl. budget preparation, resource bookings, conducting interviews, etc.), designing and presenting testing approaches to senior team members and governance forums, managing a testing team of up to ten junior staff members, monitoring progress of work performed, communicating progress against the phased plan, articulating any challenges to the plans successful delivery and proposing potential solutions. You will also be encouraged to identify opportunities for improving efficiency and proposing value adding process improvements. The scope of the role is not merely to test controls or review testing performed but to also critically evaluate ways of working and how quality risks are mitigated through the control environment and delivery of key messages and conclusions to Senior Management of the business. As part of the varied role – we would expect you to contribute more widely to the SQM project by executing other areas/collaborating with other work streams within the project internally or within a wider business and help EY in its optimal adherence to ISQM policies and legislation.
Experience and attributes
As an Internal Controls Testing Senior Manager you will be working on critical elements at the core of EY’s ISQM1 work and will gain exposure to stakeholders across all areas of the business, including senior firm leadership. You will be supported by leaders who have a strong belief in professional skills development, and you will build broader experiences in a fast paced and dynamic organization.
We are looking for an individual, experienced in leading and executing design and operational effectiveness controls testing procedures, with strong analytical and communication skills who demonstrates a desire to learn and add value through doing.
To qualify for the role you must have:
- Experience of managing teams to deliver testing plans to set deadlines, including testing of complex controls and assuming the reviewer role.
- Experience of designing new controls and delivering operational effectiveness non-application controls testing including reporting final conclusions to senior management.
- Experience in performing testing controls for a defined purpose (examples being external audit, internal audit, ISQM, SoX etc)
- Ability to process information provided from various sources to assess the level of risk mitigation and appropriateness/sufficiency of the information to conclude testing procedures.
- Ability to link and understand interrelationships between quality objectives, risks and control responses across different SQM components and articulate interdependencies and the impact of these on testing procedures and related conclusions (if any).
- Ability to have insights into Control coverage, rationalisation and improvement. Should be able to assist in the improvement of our Control environment on agendas of completeness and operational efficiency.
- Ability to manage, coordinate and participate in regular interactions with stakeholders from all areas of EY and to deliver conclusions both verbally and through written action orientated reporting.
- Ability to prioritise and coordinate multiple tasks and testing team deliverables efficiently and effectively.
- Excellent and proven organization, communication, and influencing skills to contribute to the delivery mindset of the team. Your ideas will be listened to and taken on board no matter what level you are.
- Ability to lead, coach and guide junior team members.
- A proven ability to think ahead, anticipate issues and can resolve these proactively.
- Experience extracting, analysing, and providing summary data to inform management and key stakeholder decision making
- Excellent communication skills and strong ability to present results/output using core Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Ideally, you’ll also have
- Proven track record of resolving design issues independently and assist in any corrective activity to fully document control descriptions, criteria and attributes.
- Ability to critically review a control and assess the level of mitigation it provides to a given quality risk(s) and where applicable propose updates to the overall system of quality management. Note the role is focused on non-application control responses.
- Be able to demonstrate through current experiences of workload prioritisation and delivery of high quality work to senior business management.
- Prior experience and understanding of ISQM1 requirements or working in an ISQM1 role is desirable but not essential as training will be given.
- A professional accounting, internal auditing or similar qualification would be preferable.
What we look for
- A team player who actively owns and delivers their scope, lead and owns responsibility for the scope assigned to junior team members and proactively looks for opportunities to contribute and develop.
- Someone who is committed to working in a fast-paced environment and delivering against deadlines.
- An individual with an inquisitive and problem-solving mindset.
Flexible working & Location
Potential Office locations include London, Leeds, Birmingham, or Bristol. We welcome applications from those who wish to consider a range of flexible working options. EY has adopted hybrid working practices with staff working in the appropriate place for their day, but travel to your home office is expected 2 days per week. Some travel to other EY offices may be required.
What we offer
We offer a competitive remuneration package where you’ll be rewarded for your individual and team performance. Our comprehensive Total Rewards package includes support for flexible working and career development, and with FlexEY you can select benefits that suit your needs, covering holidays, health and well-being, insurance, savings and a wide range of discounts, offers and promotions. Plus, we offer:
- Continuous learning: You’ll develop the mindset and skills to navigate whatever comes next.
- Success as defined by you: We’ll provide the tools and flexibility, so you can make a meaningful impact, your way.
- Transformative leadership: We’ll give you the insights, coaching and confidence to be the leader the world needs.
- Diverse and inclusive culture: You’ll be embraced for who you are and empowered to use your voice to help others find theirs.
Please note
Prior to finalizing your application, you will be asked to provide personal information across several dimensions of diversity and inclusiveness. The information you provide is kept entirely confidential and will not be used to evaluate your candidacy. We collect this data to help us analyse our recruitment process holistically and implement actions that promote diversity and inclusiveness. While optional, we encourage you to provide this information to hold us accountable towards our goal of building a better working world. Read more about our commitment to diversity & inclusiveness here. We ask because it matters!
If you can demonstrate that you meet the criteria above, please contact us..
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