The Internal Control Specialist is a key contributor role within the SGS North America (NAM) region, reporting directly to the NAM VP of Finance Operations, and informally to the NAM Risk Management & Internal Control (RM&IC) Manager. In this position, you will be responsible for handling Internal Control over Financial Reporting (ICoFR) and Enterprise Risk Management initiatives in the region. You will facilitate the preparation of centralized key control documentation and analysis, for control owners review and approval. You will prepare self-assessments of centralized controls and assist with the planning and preparation of self-assessments by business unit Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) for de-centralized controls, to ensure:
- Control activities, processes, and procedures comply with group and local requirements and regulations.
- The adequacy of control design and operation addresses the underlying risks and assertions.
- Recommendations for improvements align with best-practices and leverage organizational synergies wherever possible.
- Control and process deficiencies are remediated in a timely and effective manner.
This position will also be responsible for assisting in the administration of other compliance requirements including, but not limited to, the annual Management Risk Assessment and the monitoring/updates of the regional Grants of Authority, with guidance from the RM&IC Manager.
Responsibilities
- Ensure the implementation and operation of effective ICOFR and Risk Management processes within SGS NAM, along with respective Local Process/Risk Owners, Finance Directors/Business Controllers, SMEs, and Internal Control Owners.
- Maintain clear/adequate Risk Control Matrix (RCMs)/ICOFR framework for NAM, and documentation, together with the local SMEs, Finance Directors/Business Controllers, and Internal Control Owners, based on end-to-end business processes, aligned with the respective local process.
- Implement risk management framework tailored to the specific needs and objectives of the SGS operations; perform risk assessment process within the required scope, ensure mitigating measures are properly defined and timely implemented.
- Collaborate as a business partner and trusted advisor for Local Process/Risk Owners, Finance Directors/Business Controllers, and SMEs, Control Owners and Action Owners, and other local stakeholders within NAM, on internal control and risk-related matters.
- Provide practical guidance and recommendations, and cooperate with Local Process Owners, Finance Directors, Legal, Compliance, Internal Audit, External Audit, and other internal and external stakeholders; foster a culture of risk awareness and accountability.
- Promote ICOFR best practices, internal control harmonization, automation, digital solutions, and data analytics for a highly sustainable control environment; build strong cooperation with Internal Audit, Local Process Owners, IT, and local employees engaged in internal controls.
- Ensure effective application, maintenance and continuous development of Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) system. Provide guidance and administer efficient usage of the GRC system in NAM region.
- Collaborate and coordinate with the RM&IC Manager on other related projects and initiatives.
Specific Responsibilities
- Ensure timely and complete planning and execution of centralized and de-centralized ICOFR activities.
- Prepare, and report on, ICOFR design and operating effectiveness self-assessments (ToDs and ToEs) for NAM business units, as well as the business risks assessment, using GRC system.
- Assist with, and independently validate, SME completion of ICOFR ToDs and ToEs for de-centralized controls.
- Ensure and monitor adequate Risk Management mitigating measures are in place to address the identified risks in the region and respective countries.
- Establish, implement, and monitor remediation action plans to close deficiencies and gaps, incorporating synergetic, constructive, and practical feedback and improvement recommendations.
- Prepare regular and ad hoc management reports and executive summaries, in cooperation with the RM&IC, to the attention of the governing bodies within NAM.
- Assist in providing ICOFR and Risk Management training to local organizations and their employees.
- Prepare monthly management review controls, and testing, over Unbilled Revenues and Work-in-Progress balances (significant accounting estimates), for review and approval by the NAM Finance Directors.
- Review and update Grant of Authority (GOA) documents for all NAM business units and functions, with input from the Finance Directors; adjust system user access, approval levels, and approval management engine rules accordingly.
- Perform and document quarterly Segregation of Duties (SOD) control activities over system access violations, resolutions, and mitigating control activities, as per SOD principles, with input from Finance Directors and other local stakeholders.
- Support action owners in the resolution of internal and external audit inquiries, requests, findings, and Management Letter comments.
- Apply judgment and act according to the SGS standards of ethics and integrity, and compliance with SGS regulations and principles, and relevant laws and regulations.
- Perform other duties and engage in other projects, initiatives, due diligence, and tasks, when required by management.