Senior Specialist, SOX Control & Compliance in Stockport

Job Description We’re seeking a future team member for the role of Senior Specialist, SOX Control & Compliance to join our team. \n Role Purpose \n The SOX / ICFR Analyst supports the execution of the SOX and ICFR programme through reliable delivery of control documentation, walkthrough support, testing activities, issue tracking, and evidence management. The role is responsible for applying established methodology and documentation standards, partnering effectively with stakeholders, and contributing to a strong and sustainable financial controls environment across assigned processes and business areas. \n Key Responsibilities \n • Execute assigned SOX and ICFR testing activities in line with approved methodology, timelines, and quality standards. \n • Support the refresh of process narratives, risk and control matrices, flowcharts, and related documentation for assigned processes and controls. \n • Participate in walkthroughs with business and control owners to understand processes, identify key control points, and document process changes accurately. \n • Test the design and operating effectiveness of key controls by reviewing evidence, performing analysis, and documenting results and conclusions in clear working papers. \n • Track evidence requests, follow up with stakeholders, and maintain organised records to ensure audit readiness and timely completion of reviews. \n • Identify exceptions, documentation gaps, or control concerns and raise them promptly to the reviewer or manager for further assessment. \n • Support remediation tracking by maintaining action logs, following up on agreed milestones, and validating closure evidence where required. \n • Build strong working relationships with business partners, control owners, and team members to support smooth delivery of programme activities. \n • Contribute to special projects, process improvement efforts, and opportunities to standardise or automate elements of the testing and documentation process. Core Accountabilities \n • Timely and accurate completion of assigned testing and documentation activities. \n • Production of clear, complete, and well-organised working papers and supporting evidence files. \n • Adherence to methodology, documentation standards, and review feedback. \n • Timely communication of issues, delays, or exceptions to the reviewer or manager. \n • Constructive collaboration with stakeholders and strong support to overall team delivery. \n • Contribution to a disciplined, sustainable, and continuously improving controls environment. Required Skills and Experience \n • Understanding of internal controls, SOX/ICFR concepts, and financial reporting risk, with relevant experience in controls testing, audit, finance, or compliance roles. \n • Ability to document processes clearly, analyse evidence, and perform testing activities with attention to detail. \n • Strong organisational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines in a structured environment. \n • Effective written and verbal communication skills and willingness to engage confidently with stakeholders. \n • Good analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify anomalies, documentation gaps, and control concerns. \n • Proficiency in standard productivity tools and comfort working with data, spreadsheets, and system-generated reports. Preferred Qualifications \n • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, Commerce, Risk Management, or a related discipline. \n • Relevant experience in SOX testing, internal audit, external audit, finance controls, controllership, or compliance within banking or financial services preferred. \n • Progress toward or completion of a professional qualification such as CA, CPA, ACCA, CIA, or CISA is an advantage. \n • Exposure to process mapping, risk and control matrices, or enterprise control frameworks such as COSO is beneficial. Leadership Expectations \n • Demonstrates ownership of assigned work and escalates issues in a timely and professional manner. \n • Applies a strong quality mindset and maintains discipline in documentation and evidence standards. \n • Collaborates effectively with colleagues and stakeholders a