The Role:
Morningstar is looking for a Senior Manager of Internal Controls and SOX Compliance to focus on business partnership, innovation, automation, and adding optimal value to the organization in its Sarbanes-Oxley and internal controls program. The Senior Manager will assist the Chief Audit Executive in developing and leading the internal audit plan (with a focus on internal controls and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance). The Senior Manager will also assist the Chief Accounting Officer with lending expertise and practical solutions to mature and evolve the organization's SOX controls program. This individual will lead and manage a global team of experienced auditors and controls experts. The Senior Manager will oversee a comprehensive risk-based Sarbanes-Oxley audit plan that provides management assurance over the internal controls supporting financial reporting. Additionally, there will be an opportunity to participate and direct other reviews on the annual Audit plan covering operational, compliance, and consulting services. The Senior Manager will be considered a key member of the Internal Audit and Accounting leadership team.
This is a full-time position and is based in Morningstar's Chicago office. We are operating in a hybrid environment (in office 3 days/remote 2 days).
Responsibilities
- Manage the development of the overall SOX methodology to ensure best practices are followed.
- Make recommendations for improvement and drive changes to both controls and processes.
- Provide guidance to management on internal control, governance, risk, and compliance activities.
- Facilitate the execution of management's SOX risk assessment and scoping activities to ensure proper risk identification, process mapping and controls for a sustainable internal control framework.
- Collaborate with process owners in development of action plans to assess the adequacy of action taken by management to correct control deficiencies. Monitor and follow-up as appropriate.
- Lead and develop training material for the global accounting organization on effective control environment practices.
- Partner with management on the implementation of new software and business processes to ensure the relevant financial reporting risks are identified and controls implemented.
- Assist with the preparation of annual and quarterly reporting to the audit committee.
- Develop, schedule, manage, and execute the annual Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) audit plan that appropriately considers the relevant and evolving financial risks facing the company. This includes Business Process, IT General Controls, and Entity Level Controls.
- Manage the preparation and issuance of observations and SOX management status reports to assure that all significant risk and internal control weaknesses are identified and that cost-effective recommendations to address deficiencies are generated.
- Prepare and review the audit testing plans over in-scope financial controls.
- Participate in the internal audit department's Quality Assurance and Improvement Program and external quality review.
- Ensure effective and efficient external auditor reliance on SOX workpapers is achieved.
- Promote high levels of ethical awareness.
- Drive data analytics and automation within internal audit activities to gain efficiencies and increase audit effectiveness.
- Recruit, develop, and manage a professional audit team with sufficient knowledge, skills, expertise, and professional certification to meet the audit requirements.
- Ensure the professional development of the team through mentoring and internal and external training.
- Interact and coordinate with the Company's external audit firm and cultivate external relationships.
- Partner with the Internal Audit program to ensure effective allocation of resources across the complete Internal Audit plan.
- Participate and direct other projects on the Internal Audit plan, such as regulatory or compliance audits.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Accounting or Finance is required. Master's degree is a plus.
- CIA and/or CPA highly desired; CISA and CFE considered a plus.
- Minimum of 10 years of progressive industry or public accounting experience (preferably with the Big 4 or national CPA firm and/or similar experience in corporate Internal Audit).
- Excellent knowledge of internal audit standards, procedures, and techniques.
- Experience managing financial, compliance, IT, and operational audits of processes and controls a plus.
- Experience managing a global Sarbanes Oxley program.
- Strong understanding of professional audit standards, COSO, and US GAAP.
- Experience performing data analytics and driving automation to realize efficiencies a plus.
- Knowledge of IT audit concepts utilized in executing audits.
- Experience with electronic work paper tools (AuditBoard, Workiva, TeamMate, etc.) desired.
- Strong skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office programs and data analytics software.
- Ability to effectively manage several projects in multiple locations and manage time and the team effectively.
- Effective oral and written communication skills and the ability to write clear and concise audit reports.
- Proven ability to build and foster high-performance teams; build relationships with team members, business leaders, and global business functions.
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