Associate Director, Internal Audit Sox

Overview

• Lead the Sarbanes-Oxley compliance program for a multi-billion dollar manufacturing organization, ensuring effective internal controls over financial reporting.
• Provide strategic direction and technical expertise to align compliance with PCAOB standards, SEC regulations, and COSO Internal Control Framework.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to assess risks, design control strategies, and drive remediation efforts.
• Enhance the SOX program through continuous improvement initiatives, leveraging data analytics and automation technologies.
• Support business transformations, including ERP implementations and acquisitions, from a SOX perspective.
• Mentor and develop team members, fostering talent growth and succession planning within the SOX function.
• Monitor emerging risks and regulatory changes impacting internal controls over financial reporting.
• Present SOX status, key issues, and remediation progress to senior management and audit leadership.

Key Responsibilities & Duties

• Lead the end-to-end SOX compliance program, including scoping, risk assessment, control design, and testing strategies.
• Evaluate the design and operating effectiveness of key business process and IT general controls.
• Identify control gaps, assess deficiencies, and oversee effective remediation plans.
• Partner with stakeholders across Finance, IT, and Operations to strengthen control ownership and accountability.
• Provide training and guidance to control owners on SOX requirements and best practices.
• Drive process improvement initiatives to enhance the efficiency and scalability of the SOX program.
• Support audit activities and ensure quality and consistency in workpapers and testing results.
• Monitor regulatory changes and evolving business processes to adapt the SOX program accordingly.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field is required.
• CPA, CIA, CISA, or equivalent professional certification is preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in internal audit, SOX compliance, or public accounting.
• Experience in a publicly traded company, preferably in manufacturing or industrial environments.
• Proven ability to lead SOX programs and collaborate with external auditors.
• Strong knowledge of business process controls, ITGCs, and SOX scoping methodologies.
• Excellent leadership and team development skills, with a focus on mentoring and succession planning.
• Proficiency in leveraging data analytics and automation technologies for process improvement.