This role takes the lead in planning, coordinating, executing, reporting and close-out on the annual SOX management testing for STM (Scientific, Technical & Medical) division's financial controls. This is executed in close cooperation with control owners and operators as well as liaison, as required, with the external auditors (EY) and RELX Internal Audit and Assurance (IAA)
The individual will also be expected to contribute to the wider Controls agenda including support to control design, scoping, deficiency evaluation & re-testing activities as well to continuous improvement to the internal control framework
Oversee the internal controls framework at Elsevier, including managing risk and control matrices and ensuring proper documentation such as narrative descriptions and flowcharts for each process
Collaborate with the Head of Financial Controls to ensure that key processes are following Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) requirements, helping to maintain and strengthen the company's internal control structure
Conduct comprehensive walkthroughs for in-scope financial processes to identify key controls for SOX purposes. Ensure that all financial statement assertions are covered, providing a complete overview of process controls
Serve as a primary point of contact between business process and control owners, management at various levels, and both internal and external auditors to facilitate communication and compliance efforts
Lead the SOX compliance testing process, ensuring that testing procedures are effective in evaluating the controls. Verify that controls are performed consistently throughout the testing period and by the appropriate process owners. Evaluate whether controls are successful in preventing or detecting material misstatements
Assist in the annual scoping exercise for SOX controls, ensuring that the right controls are identified and documented for the upcoming year's compliance cycle
Collaborate with control owners to address any control deficiencies identified during testing. Provide guidance and support in developing remediation plans and ensure timely resolution of issues
Assist in evaluating deficiencies, preparing remediation plans, and coordinating the re-testing process to ensure that controls are operating effectively after remediation
Support and organize training and awareness programs for controls. Ensure that relevant stakeholders are educated on SOX compliance and internal controls, promoting a culture of compliance throughout the organization
Participate in scoping and readiness exercises related to the One Fusion project, ensuring that the necessary controls are implemented for SOX compliance
Work closely with the SOX IT General Controls (ITGC) team to identify and understand in-scope SOX IT systems and applications, ensuring that all relevant IT controls are adequately addressed in compliance efforts
Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting or a related field or professional accounting qualification
over 4 years of relevant experience in financial reporting processes, SOX Compliance, Internal controls over Financial Reporting, internal controls, audit, compliance, or a similar field
Good working knowledge of systems e.g., Excel (advanced level), PowerPoint, Hyperion, Oracle, and appreciation of IT general controls
Excellent spoken and written English
Ability to work in multi-location/global team across several time zones
Advanced stakeholder management and engagement skills
High degree of honesty and integrity - given nature of the role, it is vital that the individual can speak up in situations where personal values are being tested and escalate rapidly when potential control issues have been uncovered
Ability to quickly learn and apply enterprise AI tools and technologies to support technical workflows and business objectives
