Financial Controls Testing Specialist

This job is with St. James's Place, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community. Please do not contact the recruiter directly.

The role:

The primary focus of this role is to complete the day-to-day testing of key financial controls. This person will work with the Financial Controls Testing Manager to test the key controls, develop the annual testing plan and report progress and controls weaknesses to key stakeholders. They will work closely with control owners to ensure risk, control and test plan details are maintained as processes evolve and ensure that the risk and control system information is kept up to date.

What you'll be doing:

• Complete controls testing In line with the testing plan for the year, working with stakeholders to ensure testing is completed as efficiently as possible.
• Take responsibility for the maintenance of risks, controls, test plans, test results, and action plans on the Risk management system.
• Supporting the maintenance of the financial control framework through project change by working collaboratively with control owners.
• Supporting the Controls Testing Manager in creating the annual controls testing plan and reporting on progress.
• Suggesting and implementing ways to make controls testing more efficient, working with controls testers in other teams.
• Providing proactive advice to control owners and projects to strengthen the financial controls framework and Improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• Track and report progress with internal and external audit actions and controls remediation actions.
• Create /provide training and guidance materials to control owners to Increase understanding.

Who we're looking for:

The ideal candidate may be either a qualified or part qualified accountant (ACCA, ACA) or qualified through experience. They will have experience of testing a range of different financial reporting controls, sourcing test evidence, writing test steps, documenting results and agreeing action plans. They will ideally have worked as a 'controls business partner' to finance and other teams involved in financial reporting. They will have FS experience and be self-motivated and able to prioritise workload and complete activities to a deadline. They will have strong interpersonal skills and be able to explain control requirements to controls owners simply and assertively.

Essential Criteria

• Experience of testing a range of different financial reporting controls, sourcing test advice, writing test steps, documenting test results and agreeing action plans for remediating control deficiencies.
• Experience of providing proactive controls advice.
• Self-motivated – able to prioritise workload and complete activities to a deadline.
• Able to explain control requirements to control owners simply and assertively.
• Qualified or part-qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA) or qualified through experience.
• Credible and confident dealing with senior managers.