At a Glance
- Tasks: Strengthen financial controls and improve processes with finance teams and stakeholders.
- Company: Dynamic business seeking a Senior Internal Controls Specialist for impactful growth.
- Benefits: Opportunity for career progression, influence across the business, and exposure to senior leaders.
- Other info: Join a growing team focused on proactive risk management and operational excellence.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by designing solutions rather than just testing controls.
- Qualifications: Experience in audit or financial controls, ideally from a Big 4 or Top 10 firm.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
Audit professionals, a quick question. If you’re currently sitting in a Big 4 or Top 10 firm, somewhere around 3–5 years into your audit career, you may already be asking yourself: “What does the move into industry actually look like?” Not everyone in audit wants to move into technical accounting or reporting roles. Some auditors genuinely enjoy controls, risk, governance and understanding how a business operates. But they want to move closer to the business itself, rather than simply testing it. As Senior Internal Controls Specialist, this is a role designed to do just that.
On the flip side, you may have transitioned to industry into Audit or risk and controls and just want more progression, more excitement or to join a business that is really growing and needs a solutions driven approach. Gifford and Partners are supporting a business looking to appoint a Senior Internal Controls Specialist. This role sits at the centre of the business, working with finance leaders, operational stakeholders and global teams to strengthen the organisation’s financial control environment. Think of it as the step from: Testing controls → to helping to design and improve them.
What you would be doing:
- Working closely with finance teams and control owners, you will help:
- Review and strengthen financial controls
- Identify control gaps and operational weaknesses
- Support SOX compliance (without high-volume testing)
- Work with the business to implement improvements
Importantly, as a Senior Internal Controls Specialist, this role is not about producing reports that sit on a shelf. It’s about working with the business to fix issues and strengthen processes. Ensuring a safe and controlled growth that looks forward and anticipates the bumps in the road ahead!
Why this tends to appeal to auditors:
- It’s a role where you can still use your audit training and technical grounding, but with:
- Greater influence across the business
- Regular exposure to senior stakeholders
- The opportunity to improve processes rather than just test them
- A broader understanding of how a global organisation operates
In many ways, it’s the natural next step for auditors who enjoy controls but want more ownership and impact.
Backgrounds that tend to fit well:
- Typically individuals who come from, or are already:
- Big 4 / Top 10 audit
- Internal audit/assurance
- Financial controls or SOX environments
Often Audit Senior or Assistant Manager level, considering their first move into industry progress into this role well. Or, perhaps a second mover currently in industry, stuck in a testing role and wanting more!
If you’re quietly starting to think about life after practice, or lack the variety promised in industry, but are not quite getting it, feel free to drop me a message, and I will be happy to talk through the opportunity in confidence. A role looking forward at the risk and laying the foundations to navigate and grow with the right controls in place, not a backward-looking or reporting role. Shortlisting immediately, please get in touch.
Internal Control Specialist employer: Gifford and Partners
At Gifford and Partners, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values innovation and collaboration. As a Senior Internal Controls Specialist, you will thrive in a dynamic work culture that encourages professional growth and offers regular exposure to senior stakeholders, allowing you to make a tangible impact on the organisation's financial control environment. With a focus on strengthening processes rather than merely testing them, this role provides a unique opportunity to shape the future of our business while enjoying a supportive environment that fosters your career development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Internal Control Specialist
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to former colleagues. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream job.
✨Showcase Your Skills
When you’re chatting with potential employers or networking, make sure to highlight your experience with controls and risk management. We want to see how your audit background can translate into real-world solutions. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've improved processes in the past!
✨Tailor Your Approach
Every company is different, so do your homework! Understand their business model and challenges, and think about how you can help them strengthen their financial controls. We love seeing candidates who can speak directly to the needs of the organisation during interviews.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to check out our website for the latest job openings! Applying directly through us not only shows your interest but also gives you a better chance of being noticed. We’re here to help you take that next step in your career!
We think you need these skills to ace Internal Control Specialist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Internal Control Specialist role. Highlight your audit background, especially any work related to controls, risk, and governance. We want to see how you can bring your unique perspective to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're interested in moving from audit to a more hands-on role in internal controls. Share specific examples of how you've improved processes or identified control gaps in your previous roles. We love a good story!
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, emphasise your ability to identify issues and implement solutions. This role is all about fixing problems and strengthening processes, so we want to see how you've done this in the past. Be specific about your contributions and the impact they had!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s the quickest way for us to see your application and get you into the conversation. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to join a growing business!
How to prepare for a job interview at Gifford and Partners
✨Know Your Controls Inside Out
Make sure you have a solid understanding of financial controls and risk management. Brush up on your knowledge of SOX compliance and be ready to discuss how you've identified control gaps in the past. This will show that you're not just familiar with the concepts, but that you can apply them practically.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of how you've improved processes or resolved issues in previous roles. Think about specific situations where you took initiative to strengthen controls or enhance operational efficiency. This will demonstrate your proactive approach and ability to make a real impact.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since this role involves working closely with finance leaders and operational stakeholders, practice how you'll communicate effectively with different teams. Be ready to discuss how you would build relationships and collaborate to implement improvements across the business.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the company's current control environment and future challenges. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you understand how you can contribute to their growth. It’s also a great way to demonstrate your strategic thinking.
