At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the implementation and monitoring of internal controls in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join AJ Bell, a fast-growing FTSE 250 investment platform with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous holiday allowance, and hybrid working options.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on financial operations while developing your skills in a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Experience in internal controls, risk, or audit is essential; strong communication skills are a must.
- Other info: Great career growth opportunities and a friendly work environment await you!
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We are seeking a motivated and technically strong Internal Controls Analyst, with experience in controls testing and supporting RCSAs, to join our growing FTSE 250 business. Reporting to the Manager of Internal Controls, you will provide support in implementing and maintaining the Group's financial, operational, and compliance control environment.
This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who enjoys working in a dynamic environment and contributing to the effective operation of the internal control framework. This is a hybrid role with a requirement to work from our Manchester office around 50% of the time. We ask that applicants consider this requirement carefully before applying.
About the role:
- You will assist with the implementation and ongoing monitoring of the Group's internal control framework, with a primary focus on testing material and key controls.
- This role will work alongside stakeholders in the business as well as engaging with senior leaders and Risk SMEs.
Key Responsibilities:
- Conduct design effectiveness reviews of controls, create/review process maps, and work with the business and SMEs to resolve control design failures and monitor remediation plans.
- Perform operating effectiveness testing of controls, provide outcomes and recommendations, and work with the business to address root causes of control deficiencies and track remediation plans.
- Provide guidance and best practice advice to control owners on remediation activities and internal control improvements.
- Support the business with their Risk and Control Self Assessments and help support maturity and improvement of the process application.
- Support in the development of control indicators and measures to assess control effectiveness.
- Support in the development of continuous monitoring practices and using data analytics to assess control effectiveness.
- Support the business in understanding and applying how the new UK Corporate Governance Code requirements affect processes and controls.
- Assist in preparing management information and compiling control assessment findings and recommendations for reporting to Executive and Board Committees.
Competence, Knowledge & Skills:
- Internal controls & risk/audit experience: Prior hands-on work in risk, internal control, or audit—ideally in Financial Services.
- Testing discipline: Competent in conducting design and operating effectiveness testing, documenting outcomes, and tracking remediation activities.
- Clear, concise communication: Able to produce well-structured written outputs and communicate findings verbally to stakeholders.
- Stakeholder collaboration & influence: Comfortable contributing to proposals, providing recommendations, and partnering with control owners to remediate weaknesses.
- Planning & time management: Strong organisation with the ability to follow priorities and manage to tight reporting deadlines.
- Analytical problem solving: Logical, methodical approach—balancing detail with the bigger picture.
- Reporting & MI preparation: Comfortable compiling control assessment findings and recommendations for senior governance forums.
- Design effectiveness reviews & process mapping: Ability to assess control design, create/review process maps, identify design failures, and oversee remediation plans.
- Operating effectiveness testing: Skilled in testing and documenting controls, evaluating results, recommending corrective actions, and tracking remediation to closure using testing tools.
- Advisory to control owners: Provide practical guidance and best practice advice on remediation and internal control improvements; experience in driving improvements through automation will be an advantage.
- Methodical documentation & traceability: Disciplined approach that captures evidence, maintains clear workpapers, and connects findings to root cause analysis and remediation.
- Time management: Strong planning, organisation, and time management skills, with the ability to follow priorities set by others.
About us:
AJ Bell is one of the fastest-growing investment platform businesses in the UK offering an award-winning range of solutions that caters for everyone, from professional financial advisers to DIY investors with little to no experience. We have over 644,000 customers using our award-winning platform propositions to manage assets totalling more than £103.3 billion. Our customers trust us with their investments, and by continuously striving to make investing easier, we aim to help even more people take control of their financial futures.
Having listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange in December 2018, AJ Bell is now a FTSE 250 company. Headquartered in Manchester with offices in central London and Bristol, we now have over 1,500 employees and have been named one of the UK's 'Best 100 Companies to Work For' for six consecutive years and in 2024 and 2025 named a Great Place to Work.
At AJ Bell you can expect a friendly working environment with a strong sense of teamwork, we have a great sense of pride in what we do, and this is reflected in our guiding principles.
What we offer:
- Competitive starting salary
- Generous holiday allowance of 25 days, increasing up to 31 days with length of service
- Holiday buy and sell scheme
- A choice of pension schemes with matched contributions up to 6%
- Discretionary bonus scheme
- Annual free share awards scheme
- Buy As You Earn (BAYE) Scheme
- Health Cash Plan – provided by SimplyHealth
- Discounted private healthcare scheme and dental plan
- Free gym membership
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Bike loan scheme
- Sick pay+ pledge
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, and shared parental leave
- Loans for travel season tickets
- Death in service scheme
- Paid time off for volunteer work
- Charitable giving opportunities through salary sacrifice
- Calendar of social events, including monthly payday drinks, annual Christmas party, summer party and much more
- Personal development programmes built around you and your career goals, including access to personal skills workshops
- Ongoing technical training
- Professional qualification support
- Talent development programmes
- Peer recognition scheme, with rewards including restaurant and shopping vouchers or time off
- Monthly leadership breakfasts and lunches
- Casual dress code
- Access to a range of benefits from our sponsorship deals
Hybrid working:
At AJ Bell, our people are the heart of our culture. We believe in building strong connections by working together. That’s why we offer a hybrid working model, where you’ll spend a minimum of 50% of your working time per month in the office. For new team members, an initial period will be full-time in the office to help you immerse yourself in our business and build valuable relationships with your colleagues.
AJ Bell is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and all employees are empowered to bring their whole self to work. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, pregnancy, religion, physical and mental disability, marital status and any other characteristics protected by the Equality Act 2010. All decisions to hire are based on qualifications, merit and business need.
If you like the sound of the above, or just want to know more about the company and the role, we’d love to speak to you.
Internal Controls Analyst employer: Aj Bell
Contact Detail:
Aj Bell Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Internal Controls Analyst
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to insider info about the role and even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the company culture and values. We want to see how you fit into our team, so think about how your experiences align with our mission at AJ Bell.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills during the interview! Be ready to discuss specific examples of your past work in internal controls and how you've tackled challenges. We love hearing about real-life experiences.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview with a thank-you email. It’s a simple gesture that shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in our minds as we make decisions.
We think you need these skills to ace Internal Controls Analyst
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Internal Controls Analyst role. Highlight your experience in controls testing and risk assessments, and don’t forget to mention any relevant financial services background. We want to see how your skills align with what we’re looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about internal controls and how you can contribute to our team. Keep it concise but impactful, and make sure to reflect our company values and culture.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since clear communication is key in this role, ensure your written application is well-structured and free of jargon. We love candidates who can convey complex ideas simply and effectively, so let your writing reflect that!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Aj Bell
✨Know Your Controls Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of internal controls and risk management. Be prepared to discuss specific examples from your past experience where you've tested controls or supported RCSAs. This will show that you understand the role and can hit the ground running.
✨Communicate Clearly and Concisely
Since this role involves working with various stakeholders, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Prepare to explain complex concepts in simple terms, as you'll need to communicate findings and recommendations effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
✨Show Your Analytical Skills
Be ready to demonstrate your analytical problem-solving abilities. You might be asked to walk through a scenario where you identified a control deficiency and how you approached resolving it. Highlight your logical, methodical approach and any tools you used for testing.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
Don't just wait for questions; engage with your interviewers. Ask insightful questions about their internal control framework and how they measure effectiveness. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the company is the right fit for you.