SOX Compliance & Indepedence Manager recruitment
BlackRock has a Sarbanes Oxley Compliance (SOX) Independence Evaluation group with professionals dedicated to enhancing efficiency and coordination between risk and control functions globally to help the firm better monitor and respond to risk. This team actively works with the risk and control functions across the firm. In this role, The Vice President will oversee the Sarbanes Oxley Compliance ("SOX Compliance") and Independence Evaluation Group, within BlackRock's Finance department. This will include oversight of the existing program on a global basis, while modifying the program to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
The individual selected for this position will help execute the following:
- Contribute to the overall strategy and execution of the SOX compliance and Independence Evaluation programs;
- Develop and maintain collaborative, team-driven relationships and effective communication between the department, management, control functions and external audit;
- Develop the team and provide challenging opportunities to coach the team in creating their own creative solutions and contribute to strategy;
- Perform other duties as assigned including other internal control assessments and assist in special projects as necessary; and
- Monitor budgets to actual costs incurred.
For the SOX Compliance role, the successful candidate should:
- Demonstrate the ability to identify and discuss business risks and impact with senior management;
- Support continuous efforts to streamline and improve processes to maintain a strong internal control environment;
- Manage the planning, coordination and communication process with business management and process owners to update SOX guidelines, scoping, project planning and to ensure appropriate coverage;
- Manage the planning and execution of internal control testing over entity level and business processes to ensure internal controls are operating effectively, and in compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 (SOX404). Coordinate fieldwork with internal and external auditors and other control functions as needed, including coordination with Technology Risk Management to ensure adequate coverage over IT controls;
- Manage the completion of all SOX related testing documentation, including risk control matrices, narratives, process flows, test results, supporting work-papers and other related SOX documentation and update these documents as necessary based on company guidelines;
- Coordinate and facilitate the SOX Compliance Steering Group meetings, which include members of senior management.
- Establish and maintain a process to monitor the execution, status and results of SOX Compliance;
- Allocate and manage internal and external resources appropriately to promote efficiency and effectiveness while achieving the planned coverage;
- Manage the deficiency reporting and tracking process and verification of the corresponding remediation procedures; and
- Perform fraud risk assessments.
In the Auditor Independence role the individual will manage the day-to-day evaluation of auditor independence considerations, while coordinating initiatives to enhance and automate the existing processes.
The individual will report directly to a Director within Finance who oversees BlackRock's Controls group. The SOX Compliance group also operates under the oversight of management working groups and steering committees, which consist of senior members of BlackRock's Finance, Technology, Operations and Internal Audit departments.
Experience and Leadership Skills
The role requires an individual with proven prior experience working with SOX Compliance.
- The individual will be highly organized, results-orientated and have proven project management capabilities.
- The individual must have strong written and oral communication skills, excellent interpersonal skills and a proven ability to work in a deadline driven environment.
- Key to success in this role is knowledge and experience of operations, ability to collaborate with management and provide guidance on appropriate resolution of issues, as well as an ability to gain the confidence and cooperation of the local managers to ensure appropriate input and dialogue on potential risks.
- The individual will act as a business partner who adds value by understanding the needs of the business and asses risk to proactively identify opportunities to drive continuous improvement and develop risk mitigation.
The individual will manage a team and coordinate the efforts of other internal and external resources internationally. The successful candidate should have the executive presence to effectively represent their function with senior management throughout BlackRock.
The successful candidate's profile should be as follows:
- Minimum of 10 years in accounting, auditing and/or risk management including public accounting experience, preferably in financial services;
- CPA, CIA or equivalent with strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP;
- 5 years of experience in designing and implementing SOX compliance procedures in a complex cross-functional organization and preparing SOX disclosures and reports;
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting;
- Strong understanding of Sarbanes-Oxley Act, COSO framework, PCAOB and internal control concepts. Strong understanding of GAAP, financial controls, leading practices, process analysis and risk assessment;
- Executive presence including excellent leadership, interpersonal and communication skills;
- A familiarity with information technology concepts, risks and internal controls;
- Sound judgment, decision making and project management skills;
- Excellent customer service;
- Ability to build relationships and to work with a broad range of business partners;
- Perform in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and manage multiple projects simultaneously;
- Self-confidence and ability to generate and propose solutions, as well as resolve conflicts;
- Ability to work both independently and in a team environment; and
- Ability to take initiative and prioritize workload.
- Possess high ethical standards and professionalism.
BlackRock is proud to be an E-Verify Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer--M/F/D/V.
Skills
BlackRock is one of the world's preeminent asset management firms and a premier provider of global investment management, risk management and advisory services to institutional, intermediary and individual investors around the world. BlackRock offers a range of solutions -- from rigorous fundamental and quantitative active management approaches aimed at maximizing outperformance to highly efficient indexing strategies designed to gain broad exposure to the world's capital markets. Our clients can access our investment solutions through a variety of product structures, including individual and institutional separate accounts, mutual funds and other pooled investment vehicles, and the industry-leading iShares® ETFs.