SOX Control Tester in Bristol

Location: Bristol, Edinburgh, Halifax, London / Hybrid

Contract Duration: 3 months (expected to start January 2027)

Day Rate: £600 via Umbrella Company

Pontoon is an employment consultancy that values diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

My client is a global leader in financial technology, providing unique capabilities to power omni-commerce across 146 countries and 135 currencies.

The Role

The Group Finance Risk team is seeking an experienced SOX Control Tester to support SOX assurance and controls testing activity. You will play a key role in delivering assurance over financial reporting controls during a peak testing period.

This is a hands-on delivery role for an experienced SOX professional who can quickly integrate into an established testing environment and independently manage a portfolio of controls with minimal oversight. Testing methodologies, controls, and test plans are already documented, allowing successful candidates to focus on execution, issue identification, and stakeholder engagement from day one.

The role offers exposure to various business areas and provides the opportunity to work on controls supporting the financial reporting and accounts process within one of the UK’s largest financial services organisations.

You will be based 2 days a week at one of the office locations with the remaining 3 days working from home. Standard office hours apply, but there may be some out-of-hours requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality SOX testing in accordance with established methodologies, standards, and documentation requirements.
• Conduct Design Effectiveness (DE) and Operating Effectiveness (OE) testing across financial reporting controls.
• Execute end-to-end testing activities including planning, walkthroughs, sample selection, evidence gathering, assessment, and conclusion reporting.
• Manage a portfolio of controls independently, maintaining delivery against demanding testing timelines and quality expectations.
• Review and evaluate control evidence, identifying exceptions, deficiencies, inconsistencies, and potential risks.
• Assess whether controls are appropriately designed and operating effectively to mitigate identified financial reporting risks.
• Document testing performed, conclusions reached, and supporting rationale clearly.
• Challenge stakeholders constructively where evidence is insufficient or control weaknesses are identified.
• Escalate issues and exceptions appropriately, supporting the investigation and resolution of findings.
• Collaborate with control owners, finance teams, and business stakeholders across multiple divisions and functions.
• Contribute to testing progress reporting and provide clear updates on risks, dependencies, and emerging issues.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives through the use of data, technology, and emerging AI-enabled assurance techniques.

Essential Experience

• Proven experience delivering hands-on SOX testing within large corporate, banking, insurance, or other highly regulated environments.
• Strong understanding of risk and control frameworks, financial reporting risks, and Internal Controls over Financial Reporting (ICFR).
• Demonstrable experience conducting both Design Effectiveness (DE) and Operating Effectiveness (OE) testing.
• Ability to independently manage a significant testing workload and deliver at pace.
• Experience testing multiple controls simultaneously, often managing high volumes of testing activity within tight deadlines.
• Strong evidence assessment skills, with the ability to identify control deficiencies and challenge stakeholders appropriately.
• Excellent understanding of testing methodologies, sampling approaches, and assurance documentation standards.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to operate with minimal supervision and become productive quickly within an established testing framework.
• Familiarity with SOX management platforms such as FCM, SOX Express, or similar controls management systems.

Please apply with an up-to-date CV which must show evidence of the above to be considered. If you haven't heard from us within 48 hours, your application has not been successful on this occasion, but we may keep your details on file for any suitable future vacancies.

We use generative AI tools to support our candidate screening process, ensuring a fair, consistent, and efficient experience for all applicants. All final decisions are made by our hiring team, and your application will be reviewed with care and attention.